Finalists Announced for the 2016 APEX Awards
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APEX Insight: Announced today, the finalists for the 2016 APEX Awards showcase a broad range of innovation in the airline passenger experience industry. Finalists – including Immfly, Global Eagle Entertainment, Skylights, Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and more – are recognized for PaxEx breakthroughs that include everything from video curation to cabin design.
The finalists for the 2016 APEX Awards have been announced. The awards program expanded from two to eight categories this year, to keep pace with one of the fastest-moving industries in the world, and the change was met with an overwhelming response and a number of competitive submissions.
“We had more than 100 entries from over 30 airline and vendor companies, along with support from more than 45 member, media and industry judges,” says Dominic Green, APEX Board member and chair of the Awards Committee. “The quality of entries and the range of ideas that have been put forward have been nothing short of impressive.”
Winners for each award will be announced at the APEX Awards Ceremony, October 24, during this year’s APEX EXPO at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. A panel of industry peers, including APEX members from airlines, hardware and software companies, distributors and aircraft manufacturers and media, will judge entries.
“The expanded categories really opened it up for a lot more opportunities for nominees to highlight their innovations and great works. There are so many great things going on in the passenger experience space – it was too confining to continue to try to shoehorn them all into two categories,” says Rich Salter, who oversees the APEX Awards process. “The in-flight experience is evolving, and we want to constantly recognize members who are leading the charge.”
Both Salter and Green point out that the range in finalist entries are a good indicator of how the industry is evolving. “I was struck by the broad breadth of the entries – it’s not just in-flight entertainment and connectivity anymore – the awards span the entire passenger experience,” says Salter. “When I look at the diverse range of entries it just demonstrates to me what a creative industry I work in and the ideas come from so many different functional areas,” adds Green.
The 2016 APEX Awards finalists are:
Best Video Curation
For curating a great selection of video programming within the budget provided.
Air Canada – Air Canada enRoute In-Flight Entertainment
El AL Israel Airlines – Enrichment programs for passengers – quality content, free of charge
Emirates – A global movie lineup for a global airline
Best Original Audio
For creating an outstanding audio station or audio collection.
American Airlines – For best audio programming with exclusive content
El AL Israel Airlines – For cooperation with radio stations on designated content to promote a new streaming app
Etihad Airways – For creating an outstanding audio station and audio collection
Best Original Video
For creating a new video, such as an in-flight safety video or a promotional airline video, etc.
Etihad Airways – “Reimagine – The Virtual Reality Film”
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – “Safety in every detail, A #KLMflightsafetyfilm”
Qantas Airways – “Qantas Safety Video”
Best Cabin Innovation
For creating a thoughtful new cabin environment.
American Airlines – First US airline with premium economy on Boeing 787-9
STG Aerospace – First blue-glowing photoluminescent floor-path marking system
Virgin Australia – Virgin Australia A330 and Boeing 777 cabin redesign
Best Passenger Comfort Innovation
For creating an innovation in passenger comfort, including seats, design, lighting, temperature control, air quality, etc.
American Airlines – Concept D Seat, “Most comfortable seat in the sky,” on Boeing 787-8 and select 777-200 aircraft
Singapore Airlines – Next-Generation Business Class on A350 aircraft
STG Aerospace – liTeMood LED Reading Lights, redefining standards in passenger privacy
Best Personalization Innovation
For creating a personalized passenger experience, including a service application, personalized IFE, catering experience, etc.
Air New Zealand – For delivering personalization to Airpoints customers
Etihad Airways– Mobile app
Global Eagle Entertainment – Airtime Content-to-Go
Best In-Flight Entertainment Innovation
For creating a new in-flight innovation that is elevating the passenger experience through GUI design, features, applications, streaming, hardware, seat integration, etc.
Air New Zealand – In-flight entertainment experience
Singapore Airlines – SIA Companion App
Skylights – Immersive Cinema Experience
Best In-Flight Connectivity Innovation
For creating a new in-flight innovation, including interactive connectivity on board, unique Wi-Fi features and offerings, etc.
El AL Israel Airlines – ROUTIER Startup
Immfly – Digital Entertainment and Services Platform
Reaktor – Finnair’s Nordic Sky Wi-Fi portal
For more information about the new awards categories and the selection process, contact Katie Goshgarian at kgoshgarian@apex.aero. Register for APEX EXPO here.