Airbus Unveils Passenger-Centric Brand and Virgin Goes Supersonic: 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.
Airspace is Your Space: Airbus Unveils Passenger-Centric Cabin Brand
APEX MEDIA | MARCH 23, 2016
APEX Media was onsite today in London as Airbus revealed Airspace, its new cabin design brand concept. Drawing upon A350 XWB cabin interiors and features, Airspace will debut on its A330neo fleet and will establish a consistent cabin design language across the aircraft family. Beyond enhancements in comfort and ambience, Airspace also marks an endeavor from the airframer to engage more directly with airline passengers. “What’s happening is, because of social media, passengers are starting to differentiate one aircraft from another,” said Kiran Rao, executive vice-president, Strategy and Future Programmes. “We want a passenger to check when they’re booking a flight and book an Airspace cabin.
Flydubai Crash: UAE Investigators Join Russian Officials to Examine Black Box
ARABIAN AEROSPACE | MARCH 21, 2016
Investigators from the United Arab Emirates have arrived in Moscow to join Russian officials in examining black box and flight data recorder evidence after Saturday’s fatal Flydubai airplane crash. All 62 people on board the passenger jet flying from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don were killed after the Boeing 737-800 crashed on its second landing attempt. Investigators say the devices could take weeks to decode, but the lines of inquiry include crew error, poor weather conditions, technical failure and the pilots’ decision to fly a holding pattern instead of rerouting to an alternative airport.
For the Long-Haul: Air Canada Bringing Gogo’s 2Ku Connectivity to International Flights
INFLIGHT ONLINE | MARCH 21, 2016
Air Canada has announced it will begin installing Gogo’s 2Ku satellite technology on its long-haul international fleet starting with its Boeing 777 aircraft this autumn. “We are excited about extending our relationship with Air Canada to bring our 2Ku technology to its international fleet,” says Michael Small, president and CEO of Gogo. The airline is currently the only Canadian carrier offering in-flight Wi-Fi on its entire short-haul North American fleet.
Brussels Attacks: Over 30 Dead At Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek Metro
BBC | MARCH 22, 2016
At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and over 180 injured following a series of explosions in Brussels, including at least one triggered by a suicide bomber in the departure hall of Zaventem airport and another at a metro station. All flights coming in and out of the airport have been canceled or diverted, and Brussels remains in a state of lockdown. “What we feared has happened,” says Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, who added, “We realize we face a tragic moment. We have to be calm and show solidarity.” The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attacks in a statement issued on the IS-linked Amaq agency.
Recaro CEO, Mark Hiller, Forecasts Market and Passenger Seating Trends
APEX MEDIA | MARCH 24, 2016
LinkedIn has announced a partnership with Virgin America to provide its Lynda.com video classes to the airline’s in-flight entertainment content portfolio starting next month. The deal means Virgin America passengers will have the opportunity to learn a skill or two via a handful of video lessons that will be offered for free, while those with existing Lynda.com subscriptions will be able to access the website’s entire video catalog using the airline’s in-flight Wi-Fi. LinkedIn says no money was exchanged as part of the agreement; instead, it could be banking on the potential to entice new Lynda.com members, following its $1.5-billion purchase of the company last year.
€‹Mix ‘n Match IFE: New Platform Aims to Create Content Marketplace for Airlines
INFLIGHT ONLINE | MARCH 21, 2016
A new platform aimed at helping entertainment content producers and distributers to connect and sell more easily to airlines launched this week. Currently in its beta phase, contentmarket.place will enable airlines to search and select individual pieces of content or create a customized in-flight entertainment content portfolio. “This is better for airlines who will pay less for premium quality content and for the content producers who will receive all of their license fees,” says company CEO Dave Sampson, adding that, “We want to shake up the way content is traded, making it quicker, easier and better value.”