Buffett’s Billion-Dollar Bet & Branson’s Supersonic Jet: 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.
ViaSat Broadens IFEC Product Portfolio With Acronics Acquisition
VIASAT | NOVEMBER 14, 2016
ViaSat today announced it has acquired aviation software company Arconics. The deal gives the satellite communications provider a new set of revenue-boosting in-flight entertainment and connectivity applications, enabled by the Arconics Connected Aircraft Software Platform. “By acquiring Arconics, we are bolstering our ability to serve the global aviation market,” says Don Buchman, VP and GM of Commercial Mobility Business at ViaSat. “We believe combining our strengths with Arconics will position ViaSat to be the market leader for connectivity, passenger services and flight deck applications and operations.”
Back to the Future: Branson Backs Prototype of Supersonic Passenger Jet
THE GUARDIAN | NOVEMBER 15, 2016
Richard Branson and Colorado-based startup Boom have brought the reintroduction of supersonic passenger jets a step closer to reality. The Spaceship Company, Virgin Galactic’s manufacturing arm, and Boom are working together to build a supersonic passenger aircraft capable of flying between London and New York in around three and half hours. Boom CEO Blake Scholl, a pilot and former Amazon executive, today unveiled the prototype, called the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, in a hangar in Denver, Colorado. “As an innovator in the space, Virgin Galactic’s decision to work with Boom was an easy one,” says Branson. “We’re excited to have an option on Boom’s first 10 airframes.”
Panasonic Avionics Selects Ericsson for 5G Internet of Things-Ready Connectivity
NASDAQ| NOVEMBER 17, 2016
Panasonic Avionics has selected Ericsson to enable the next generation of LTE connectivity services for the aviation market. As part of the agreement, Ericsson will provide Panasonic’s AeroMobile subsidiary with its 5G-ready technology, enabling crew and passengers to access 2G, 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as devices connected through the Internet of Things. “This innovative collaboration with Ericsson is an integral part of our strategy to address the global communications needs of consumers and businesses in the future,” says Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics. “It demonstrates our commitment to enabling connected devices through the Internet of Things.”
Runway Unveiling: Hawaiian Shows Off New Employee Uniforms
USA TODAY | NOVEMBER 15, 2016
Hawaiian Airlines has become the latest US carrier to unveil new uniforms for frontline staff. The Honolulu-based carrier officially unveiled its redesigned outfits at its “Runway to Runway” event held last Friday during Honolulu Fashion Week. The uniforms, which feature a mix of bold colors and floral patterns, are the result of a collaboration between Hawaii-based design firm Sig Zane Kaiao and a committee of 40 of the airline’s frontline employees. “It was very important for us to create something that would represent Hawaii wherever we fly,” says Avi Mannis, SVP of Marketing at Hawaiian Airlines.
Unexpected Reversal: Buffett Bets $1.2 Billion on US Airline Industry
REUTERS | NOVEMBER 15, 2016
Warren Buffett once called the airline industry “a death trap for investors,” but the billionaire business magnate disclosed Monday that he spent in excess of $1.2 billion for stakes in four US carriers. The announcement by Buffett’s holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, caused sharp share price rises for United Continental, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The investments mark an unexpected reversal for Buffett, who as recently as 2013 said, “Investors have poured their money into airlines for 100 years with terrible results.” Buffett had avoided airline stocks for nearly two decades, following a troubled investment in USAir.
White House Defiant After Congress Votes to Block Boeing Aircraft Sales to Iran
BLOOMBERG | NOVEMBER 18, 2016
The US House of Representatives voted Thursday to block the Treasury Department from authorizing Boeing to sell 109 aircraft to Iran in a deal worth up to $25 billion. The 243-174 vote was split broadly along party lines, reflecting Republican opposition to the Obama administration’s Iran nuclear deal. “The world’s greatest state sponsor of terror should not be aided by the US taxpayer, by our banking system,” said Republican Representative Bob Dold. A statement made by the White House said that Obama would veto the House measure because it is “profoundly in the national security interest of the United States” to keep commitments made in the Iran nuclear agreement.
