Spafax Leadership Q&A Series – Dimitrios Tsirangelos

Spafax Spotlight: Meet the Spafax Thought Leaders

Meet The Spafax Thought Leaders is our Q&A series highlighting the people behind Spafax – what they do, how they think, and where they see the industry going. From day-to-day operations to big-picture strategy, these conversations offer a window into the ideas shaping our work.

Dimitrios Tsirangelos, VP – Business Development IFE Technology & Innovation

Dimitrios Tsirangelos is an accomplished executive skilled in business development, operations, and quality management, primarily within the aerospace and inflight entertainment sectors. As the VP of Business Development at Spafax, Dimitrios plays a key role in enhancing technology adoption and strengthening client relationships. With a strong combination of technical expertise and business acumen, he has led transformative strategies and innovation, consistently achieving ambitious targets.

His ability to distill complex technical proposals into accessible language has been instrumental in expanding client engagements. Fluent in multiple languages and committed to lifelong learning, Dimitrios brings a unique blend of professional rigor and personal passion to his work.

Interesting fact about Dimitrios:

“Well, beyond being deeply immersed in aviation and technology, I’ve always had a passion for motorsports. I’m a licensed motorsport instructor (car racing), which means when I’m not helping aircraft stay in the sky, I’m making sure racing drivers are fast, stay safe, and are mentally strong. It’s all about mastering the elements – whether in the air or on the race track.”

Dimitrios, when you’re developing new tech at Spafax, what’s your starting point – what guides your process?

“My process always begins with the customer. I draw on years of experience in business development and project management, but I put myself in the passenger’s seat. Whether it’s a new inflight entertainment (IFE) product or tech service, I think, ‘What would I want as a passenger? How can we make this effortless?’ I’m also a firm believer in agile methodologies and innovation management frameworks because staying nimble is crucial in tech. Plus, a good cup of coffee never hurts!”

What recent shifts in passenger behavior have surprised or excited you, and how have they shaped your work?

“The shift from passive consumption to passengers curating their experiences has been fascinating. People now expect personalized content, whether music, movies, or even destination guides. This shift has encouraged us at Spafax to make personalization a core part of our strategy. Passengers don’t just want entertainment – they want entertainment that feels tailor-made for them. And that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.”

Personalization is everywhere now, how is Spafax making this a reality for passengers?

“Personalization is the name of the game, and at Spafax, we’re using data-driven insights to make it a reality. From content that reflects a passenger’s previous choices to recommendations based on their destination, we’re creating an experience that feels uniquely theirs. It’s like having your own content concierge at 35,000 feet.”

The passenger journey spans so many touchpoints – how do you ensure the experience flows seamlessly?

“Think of it as conducting an orchestra where every instrument represents a different touchpoint in the journey. My role is to ensure all the ‘instruments’ – from home-offered content and personalized playlists, from lounges and gate streaming solutions to inflight services – play in harmony. This means collaborating closely with airlines, partners, and our tech teams to ensure everything is connected, smooth, and enjoyable for the passenger.”

What’s been one of the biggest hurdles in bringing new IFE solutions to life, and how did you tackle it?

“The biggest hurdle is often the diversity in airline and aircraft systems, along with personal data protection and regulatory guidelines. Tackling this challenge requires early engagement with all stakeholders and keeping our processes as agile as possible. Having a background in quality and business process modeling has helped me navigate these complexities without losing momentum on innovation.”

Airline partnerships seem key – how do they push Spafax to innovate in new directions?

“Absolutely, partnerships are critical. Airlines challenge us to think beyond just content delivery and focus on creating holistic experiences. Their feedback pushes us to innovate, whether it’s integrating cutting-edge tech like virtual reality and OTT services or finding new ways to deliver seamless passenger experiences. It’s a dynamic relationship that keeps us on our toes—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

In such a fast-moving industry, what’s Spafax doing to stay ahead of the competition?

“We never rest on our laurels. We’re always scouting new tech trends, investing in product innovation, and refining our processes. We’ve built a solid network of partnerships that helps us stay agile. To use a motorsport analogy, our approach to innovation is like racing: you always keep an eye on the road but stay prepared to adjust the strategy when the weather changes.”

Looking ahead, what tech trends do you think will have the biggest impact on in-flight entertainment?

“I’d say the next big wave will be immersive and interactive content, hyper-personalization, and scalable and adjustable distribution networks. What this means is that it’s all about giving passengers more control over their experience, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.”

And finally, you’ll be speaking at FTE APEX Asia in Singapore this November. What will you be focusing on there?

“At FTE APEX Asia in Singapore, I’ll be speaking about the future of personalization and revenue generation. While technology and data continue to evolve rapidly, the real opportunity lies in using innovation to create simpler, more seamless experiences. I’ll be spotlighting how airlines can personalize the journey in ways that not only unlock commercial value – but ultimately make travel more enjoyable for passengers.”

 Catch Dimitrios at APEX FTE Asia

Panel: IFEC Innovation – Taking inflight entertainment and connectivity to new heights

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 11:30–12:30

Location: Expo Stage Conference, Booth C23