Aeroméxico’s Dreamliner Interior & Delta’s Premium Economy: APEX Daily Experience Week in Review
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Here are the most-read stories from this week’s APEX Daily Experience newsletters. To receive breaking passenger experience industry news in your inbox on a daily basis, subscribe here.
[PHOTOS] Aeroméxico Unveils Dreamliner Interior Featuring a Home-Style Kitchen Bar
THE DESIGNAIR | OCTOBER 31, 2016
Aeroméxico has revealed the new interior for its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring a premium class product and an in-flight bar area. The Clase Premier cabin includes 36 Super Diamond B/E Aerospace seats deployed in a 1-2-1 layout, guaranteeing aisle access for every passenger and 18-inch HD seatback displays. The communal walk-up bar area, designed by transport architecture specialist New Territory, aims to create a welcoming kitchen-style environment. “We designed the social space to feel and work less like a traditional bar and more like a beautiful domestic space,” says Luke Miles, director of New Territory.
TAP Portugal Completes First of 48 Cabin Retrofits
AIR TRANSPORT WORLD | NOVEMBER 2, 2016
TAP Portugal has completed its first of 48 aircraft cabin retrofits after equipping an Airbus A319 with a new interior. The aircraft was fit with two new seat varieties in the airline’s red and green color scheme, with seat covers manufactured by Karmann Ghia de Portugal. Executive-class passengers will have a 33-inch seat pitch in addition to in-seat power, a cocktail table, tablet holder and four-position moveable headrests, while economy seats will be pre-reclined. TAP says the A319 retrofit enabled it to add an extra 12 seats to the cabin, while simultaneously reducing the aircraft’s weight by 1,550 pounds.
[PHOTOS] Airbus Wants Airlines to Add In-Flight Bars on A330neos
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS TRAVELLER| NOVEMBER 1, 2016
Airbus appears to be encouraging airlines to equip its upcoming A330neo with in-flight bars, ahead of the aircraft’s expected entry into service by the end of 2017. The aerospace manufacturer has included a mock-up bar area inside an A330neo cabin at its headquarters in Toulouse. According to Airbus, the A330neo offers airlines a “unique and customizable welcome area at the main passenger boarding door.” Airlines can opt to keep the default Airspace pattern in the overhead area of the open space or customize it in accordance with their own brand or theme. Micro data projectors disguised as regular air vents can also set the mood, should airlines decide to equip the welcome area with a bar.
Will Turkish Airlines’ Safety Video Trick Passengers Into Paying Attention?
THE DESIGNAIR | NOVEMBER 3, 2016
Turkish Airlines has launched an in-flight safety video that should succeed in going viral and, more importantly, in keeping passengers’ eyes glued to their seatback screens. The carrier worked with visual illusionist Zach King to create a three-minute safety video that includes some of his signature tricks, such as passing suitcases through overhead bins and using card camouflage to disappear from view. Turkish Airlines also uses the video to reinforce the requirement to leave personal belongings on board the aircraft in case of an emergency evacuation, following a series of recent incidents where passengers evacuated with carry-on baggage.
Saudia Signs In-Flight Connectivity Deal With Taqnia Space
ARABIAN AEROSPACE | OCTOBER 31, 2016
Saudi Arabian Airlines has selected Taqnia Space as its exclusive provider of in-flight connectivity, voice calling and live TV services. As part of the agreement the state-owned satellite communications company will begin delivering connectivity to Saudia’s long-haul and domestic aircraft fleets, starting in mid-2017. “Broadband service to be provided under this partnership will be the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region,” says Abdullah Al-Osaimi, CEO of Taqnia Space.
Delta’s International Premium Economy to Debut on Airbus A350 in Late 2017
AIRWAYS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Delta Air Lines has unveiled details of its upcoming international premium economy seat, which will debut on the carrier’s new Airbus A350s late next year followed by a fleet-wide retrofit on its Boeing 777s in 2018. The Delta Premium cabin will offer seats with 19 inches of width and up to 38 inches of pitch, in addition to adjustable leg and headrests, 13.3-inch seatback screens and noise-canceling headphones. Delta’s new cabin product will also offer passengers a Westin Heavenly in-flight blanket and pillow, a Tumi amenity kit, a pre-departure beverage service and priority boarding.