Passenger Experience

• Expert notes a push toward healthier airplane food
  Airline food appears to be becoming more healthful as carriers introduce menu alternatives, says Charles Platkin, a professor at City University of New York. "It's actually moving in a good direction. It's been an ebb and flow, but the overall trend is positive," Platt said. Los Angeles Times/Money & Co. blog (tiered subscription model) (11/25)     

• Travelers faced few delays going home after Thanksgiving
  Travel on the ground and in the air seemed smoother than travelers expected as they headed home Sunday after Thanksgiving, this feature says. Many other travelers began their travels either earlier or later than normal to avoid the expected crowds. Detroit Free Press/The Associated Press (11/25)     

• Virgin Australia will pilot streaming Wi-Fi in December
  Virgin Australia's trial of streaming Wi-Fi next month could lead to widespread use by the end of 2013, says CEO John Borghetti. Also next month, the airline will unveil an expanded terminal at the Sydney airport. Australian Business Traveller (11/23)     

• "Twilight" again reigns at box office
  "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2" topped the box office over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, earning $64 million in the Wednesday-to-Sunday period. "Skyfall" and "Lincoln" came in second and third, respectively. Bloomberg Businessweek (11/26)     

• Air New Zealand's "Hobbit" plane makes stop in Los Angeles
  Air New Zealand recently displayed a Boeing 777-300ER in Los Angeles with a "Hobbit" theme to mark the upcoming movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." The plane sports a movie-themed livery, and the crew has movie-inspired swag to promote the film. APEX Editor's Blog (11/25)     

• Qantas' "Kangaroo Island" jet will fly on Australia routes
  Starting in May, Qantas will fly only A330 aircraft on its Sydney-to-Perth and Melbourne-to-Perth routes in Australia. The carrier just acquired the A330-200, which it calls "Kangaroo Island." Australian Business Traveller (11/26)     

• Other News

• Air India promotes Taj Mahal trip at Mumbai terminal
  The Economic Times (India)/Press Trust of India (11/25)     

• Examining 757 Business Elite seats on Delta
  BoardingArea/Points, Miles & Martinis blog (11/23)     

Connectivity & Technology

• Power up via USB at some Alaska Airlines hubs
  Alaska Airlines recently installed outlets with USB ports at airports in Alaska, Oregon and Seattle, with plans for additional airports. Frequent Business Traveler (11/23), Breaking Travel News (11/24)     

• New Apple app for Tenn. airport is available
  McGhee Tyson Airport in Tennessee has added an Apple-based application that displays flight information. It also shows airport directions, parking and airline contact information, and vendor options. "In a time when lines are longer and more people are traveling by air, the airport's new app can save our guests precious time," said Howard Vogel, board chairman at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration) (11/23)     

• Other News

• Google Now is "worth highlighting," reviewer says
  APEX Editor's Blog (11/23)     

Airlines & Aircraft

• Jet Airways-Etihad deal is in the works, sources say
  A deal between Jet Airways and Etihad Airways is rumored, reports the Economic Times of India. "We are aware that the deal is progressing but to close a deal might take some time," said a source from India's civil aviation ministry. The Economic Times (India) (11/26)     

• Virgin America continues to struggle
  Virgin America hasn't posted a yearly profit since its launch in 2007, and losses have expanded. The airline lost $12.6 million in the third quarter, up from $3 million a year earlier, despite positive passenger-experience reports. The carrier says it will reduce annual supply growth. APEX Editor's Blog (11/22)     

• Other News

• ANA looks to buy into Asian carriers
  The Japan Times (11/26)     

Association News

• Job posting: Aviation technical sales manager at Inmarsat
  Inmarsat is recruiting for a key external-facing individual within the London-based Aviation team responsible for ensuring customers, partners and prospects have access to technical support and expertise to promote and grow Enterprise Aviation sales and to support solutions and business development initiatives at the Inmarsat partner and customer level. Apply here.     

• Job posting: General manager for marketing product management at Middle Eastern Airline
  A major Middle East-based airline with an international network operation seeks a general manager for marketing product management. The position will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The candidate will be responsible for the following: designing and developing policies, processes and procedures; establishing a strategy for marketing and product management; managing day-to-day operations for ground products, on-board products and preparations, and customer experience surveys; and preparing budget proposals and relevant reports for implementation. The ideal candidate will have earned no less than a bachelor's degree in marketing or business administration and will have at least 12 years of related experience, of which at least six must be airline-related. To apply, please e-mail personal credentials.     

Hot Topic

Top five news stories selected by apexnews Daily SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• A closer look at jet antennas, radomes (APEX Editor's Blog)

• Virgin Australia will pilot content streaming in December (Australian Business Traveller)

• ViaSat is confident in Ku-Ka radomes coming to JetBlue, United (APEX Editor's Blog)

• American Airlines amenity kit cover doubles as iPad case (BoardingArea)

• A solution to jet lag? Australian researchers think so (The Wall Street Journal)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

SmartQuote

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