The Three-Day Forum Gathered Technical Experts and Leaders from the Aviation Industry
LOS ANGELES, CA. USA – More than 150 leaders from global airlines, organizations, and suppliers attended APEX TECH in Los Angeles this week. This event is the leading technical forum to address technologies, content, revenue opportunities, and innovations shaping the aviation industry.
APEX TECH kicked off with a keynote delivered by Dr. Zhihang Chi of Air China who discussed technical challenges for airlines as well as the variables of the passenger experience. This was followed up with a presentation by Sean Yarborough of ST Engineering iDirect who discussed the future of IFC and how it relates to the advancement of space-based technologies, wireless networks, and ground technology. Afterwards, a round of Q&A panels were held by senior leaders who discussed topics such as the space ecosystem convergence’s effect on IFC, OEM’s new programs to streamline business processes, new partnerships between satellite providers, equipment manufacturers and satellite systems, and how these joint ventures impact airlines.
“As shown at APEX TECH this week in LA, our airlines are at a critical inflection point blending the best in-flight entertainment, connectivity, and personalization. I cannot overstate the importance of airlines comprehending and discussing technological advancements as a means to properly implement programs, unearth new initiatives, and successfully navigate through industry changes,” stated APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader. “APEX TECH opened new opportunities to leverage technology to improve airline customer experience that we will now continue at a quickened pace here this September at APEX EXPO.”
There were also panel discussions on QoE metrics, airline feedback on previous topics, ancillary revenue and more. The final session of the day highlighted the new products selected as finalists for APEX’ Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation Award.
Day Two initiated with a one-on-one chat between Dr. Joe Leader and Mariya Stoyanova of JetBlue, and then continued with a three-part panel discussion and workshop in which the panelists expressed their insight on today’s IFE media, cache content, and the future of fully-integrated IFE and connectivity. On the last day, the morning was delegated for a two-part Inflight Advertising Workshop held by Matthew Blay of Inadvia, Jonas von Krücheten of AERQ, and Dirk Ottens of Lufthansa Systems, and concluded with afternoon sessions focused on “Smart” Metadata in the content delivery supply.
APEX TECH drew an impressive lineup of speakers over this three-day event included leaders from ABOVE, AERQ, AirFi, Anuvu, Astronics, Blockcast, eSpace Networks Inc., Fabric, GlobalReach Technology, IAG Loyalty, IdeaNova, Inadvia, Inmarsat Aviation, Intelsat, JetBlue, Kontron Canada Inc., Lufthansa Systems, NetForecast, Netskrt, Panasonic, Runway Girl Network, Seamless Air Alliance (SAA), Slalom, SpaceX, Spafax, ST Engineering iDirect, Stellar Blu, Telesat, Thales Avionics, The Boeing Company, The Salter Group, Thinkom Solutions, Viasat, Vubiquity-Amdocs, Warner Bros Discovery, and West Entertainment.
APEX hosts multiple industry gatherings around the world. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit APEX Events. For more information about APEX, visit apex.aero, sign up for the APEX Daily Experience e-newsletter, or follow APEX on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
###
About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX advances passenger experience with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier over the past 42 years. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience. APEX reinvests all of its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry.