| All the news that's in the news about the airline industry |  |
| Passenger Experience |  |  |
|
- U.K. charity will unveil travel seat for disabled children
The Medical Engineering Resource Unit, a charity in the U.K., has worked with aviation authorities and British carriers such as Virgin Atlantic to create a special foldable chair for children who have a disability. The seat, for travelers 3 to 11, will be designed to fit into the standard airline seat design. Virgin Atlantic hopes to offer the new seat by September at no extra cost to passengers. "Parents with young disabled children may believe their needs cannot be met and do not consider taking a trip by plane," said TravelChair designer Graham Race. APEX Editor's Blog
(4/30)     
- Opinion: A la carte pricing is a win-win for travelers, carriers
A la carte fare pricing methods offer airlines and passengers the best solution for providing the level of service that each traveler can afford, says IdeaWorksCompany President Jay Sorensen. It also offers a way for carriers to generate enough revenue to remain accessible for lower-income travelers as fuel costs increase, although many airlines have fallen short in developing their pricing strategies. "The worst outcome is to create an ancillary revenue strategy based only upon an immediate financial need," he writes. TNooz.com
(4/30)
| Connectivity & Technology | | |
|
- Spafax VP: Streaming media is reshaping IFE landscape
Demand from air passengers for fresh, personalized content on a variety of platforms is changing in-flight entertainment for mega-airline content provider Spafax, and carriers must also be ready to adapt with new streaming and social media offerings. "Airlines risk losing one of their most powerful ways of communicating with their loyal passengers if they don't keep up," said Sue Pinfold, Spafax executive vice president of in-flight entertainment. APEX Editor's Blog
(4/30)
- Could in-flight beverage-vending machines be coming soon?
Automated in-flight beverage dispensers may soon be a reality on flights, thanks to the new SkyTender, whose creators bill it as "the beverage trolley of tomorrow." The compact design by a German company features a pop-up touch screen and replaceable syrup cartridges, along with a CO2 cylinder. APEX Editor's Blog
(4/30)
- Mobile devices are shifting future of in-flight entertainment
As passengers increasingly rely on their own mobile connected devices for wireless in-flight entertainment, airlines will have to invest less heavily in airplane hardware, but will have to search for new ways to provide relevant digital content to passengers who already have Facebook or Google at their fingertips, says MondoWindow President Greg Dicum. Onboard social networking platforms and in-flight-only shopping deals are among the possibilities for airlines looking to evolve their in-flight offerings. TNooz.com
(4/30)
- Survey: Legroom, fare increases are among passenger concerns
Lack of legroom and fare increases are among the list of complaints in TripAdvisor's annual passenger survey. The poll also found that mobile-device use continues to rise, with one in four travelers calling their tablets an essential carry-on and nearly half using smartphones to check flight status. Forty-five percent reported planning to book travel early because of concerns that rising fuel prices will increase fares. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
(4/30)
| Airlines & Aircraft | | |
|
- Sources say Air Lease will order 60 Boeing 737 MAX planes
Air Lease Corp. is said to be one of the unidentified buyers with a tentative order for 60 of Boeing's new fuel-efficient 737 MAX aircraft, according to industry sources. The deal, worth as much as $6 billion, follows Air Lease's provisional order for 36 of the competing Airbus A320neo-family of airplanes. Reuters
(4/30)
- New Philippine Airlines owner seeks change of course
San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang hopes to revive the sagging fortunes of Philippine Airlines following his company's purchase of a management-controlling 49% stake in the carrier. He plans to convert the airline with a more low-cost-carrier model and focus on longer-haul flights of more than three hours as well as make an investment in a new international airport in Manila. Philippine Daily Inquirer
(4/30)
| Association News | | |
|
- APOT.Asia 2012 registration is open!
In conjunction with IFSA (International Flight Service Association)and APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association), presented by Korean Air, APOT.Asia 2012 will take place on 12-14 June 2012 in Incheon, South Korea. The three-day event consists of top-notch educational sessions, an exhibition featuring premier suppliers of the onboard experience, a chef's competition and networking opportunities to build and strengthen business relationships. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Incheon. For more information, including registration details, please visit here.
- Job Listing: Product Line Manager II for Panasonic Avionics
Panasonic Avionics is the world leader in in-flight entertainment and communications, with most systems installed, most airlines served, and the industry's deepest knowledge base, developed with over 25 years of consistent product innovation and committed customer service. Panasonic is seeking a senior, experienced IFE Product Line Manager to act as the central authority with responsibility for management of a product line for systems comprising multiple units, software and complex integration requirements. Panasonic Avionics Corporation is headquartered in Lake Forest, California, with offices in Bothell, Washington; regional centers in Dallas, Singapore, London, Toulouse, Tokyo, Sydney and Dubai; system production facilities in Osaka; and field service, maintenance and sales facilities worldwide. The position is based in Lake Forest, Calif. For more information about the position, please contact: Lee Pinkofsky, lee.pinkofsky@panasonic.aero or (949)672-2011.
- APEX Technology Committee (TC) Meeting coming in May: Register now!
The next TC meeting will take place at Technicolor in Burbank, California USA 22-23 May. Session topics include, but are not limited to, content security, payment options, connectivity, portable devices and approval of the HD standard. An evening networking reception will round out the program. APEX members may attend this event for free! Special thanks to our host Technicolor and to our sponsor Panasonic Avionics Corporation. For more information, including hotel details, visit here.
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | It may be that those who do most, dream most."
--Stephen Butler Leacock,
British-Canadian political economist and humorist
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| About APEX |
The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline
experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience: from designing, building and installing
seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and inflight dining. Visit www.apex.aero for more information.
APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe,
China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.
|
|
| |
| | Recent apexnews Daily SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, April 30, 2012
- Friday, April 27, 2012
- Thursday, April 26, 2012
- Wednesday, April 25, 2012
- Tuesday, April 24, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
Contributing Editor: John McGran
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
