First-Class Cabins Causing Air Rage and China Airlines’ Airbus A350 Interior: APEX Daily Experience Week in Review
Share
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.
Cabin Fever: Air Rage Is More Likely on Flights With First-Class Seats
LOS ANGELES TIMES | MAY 4, 2016
A newly published organizational behavior study has found that incidents of air rage are significantly higher when airplanes have a first-class cabin. Researchers from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and Harvard Business School found that when economy travelers had to walk through first class, they were twice as likely to experience rage, and rage among premium passengers was 12 times more likely compared to when economy passengers boarded from the middle. “I don’t think it is feasible to get rid of first class, and it’s not something the average customer expects,” says the study’s lead author Katherine DeCelles of the University of Toronto. “But the average customer expects to be treated well.”
[PHOTOS] Evolution, Not Revolution: Behind the Scenes of China Airlines’ New Airbus A350 Interior
THEDESIGNAIR | MAY 2, 2016
The design team behind China Airlines’ new Airbus A350 XWB cabin gave a sneak peek of the features passengers can expect on board. Speaking to TheDesignAir, the team’s lead designer, Ray Chen, says the new cabin is a subtle evolution from the interior of China Airlines’ Boeing 777. “The 777 reflects a more cultural and creative environment, while the A350 has a more lifestyle- and trend-based cabin,” says Chen. Furnishings adopted by the Taipei-based carrier include wood veneers and the occasional plum blossom-colored seat, reflecting the landscape of Taiwan.
Passport and DNA, Please: Kuwait to Require Blood or Saliva Sample From Visitors
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER | MAY 6, 2016
Travelers flying into Kuwait will soon be required to provide a mandatory DNA sample upon arrival at the country’s international airport. Under the Gulf state’s new law, visitors will either have to submit a swab of saliva or a sample of blood, which, according to Kuwait’s government, will be used to “fight crime and terrorism” and will not infringe on privacy. Officials have said they are working with airlines and foreign embassies to ensure travelers are aware of the law and the penalties for not cooperating.
New Delta CEO Says Premium Economy Cabin Is Coming Next Year
FORBES | MAY 2, 2016
Delta Air Lines’ newly appointed CEO, Ed Bastian, says the airline will introduce an international premium economy cabin next year. If fully realized, the Atlanta-based airline would become the second US carrier, after American Airlines, to offer such a product instead of the regular economy seats with additional legroom. “The international competition has moved to premium economy as a cabin and service and product of itself,” says Bastian. “We’ve had some interesting opportunities that we learned from [partner airline] Virgin Atlantic.”
British Airways’ Parent Group Goes for Gogo’s 2Ku In-Flight Connectivity
APEX MEDIA | MAY 6, 2016
Hot on the heels of a blockbuster commitment from Delta Air Lines, Gogo yesterday announced an agreement to supply high-speed 2Ku in-flight connectivity to British Airways’ parent company, IAG, on board 137 long-haul aircraft. The partnership means IAG is to become the first European airline group offering 2Ku connectivity. Starting early next year, the Chicago-based Internet service provider will begin installations on 118 British Airways jets, four Aer Lingus Boeing 757s and 15 wide-body Iberia aircraft, with the bulk of installations completed by 2019. Michael Small, Gogo’s president and CEO, said, “We are delighted to bring Gogo’s industry leading 2Ku technology to three of the most iconic brands in commercial aviation.”
Partners in Quietude: Lufthansa to Supply Harman Kardon’s Noise-Canceling Headphones
DIGITAL TRENDS | MAY 3, 2016
Lufthansa today announced a partnership with Harman Kardon, which ought to please travelers who struggle to relax inside noisy aircraft cabins. The deal will see the high-end audio company provide aviation-certified versions of its AKG N60 noise-canceling headphones to the German flag carrier’s business-class passengers. “This is the first initiative in what we expect will be a long-term partnership with Lufthansa to provide future Harman connected technologies to equip the organization and their passengers,” says Michael Mauser, president of Harman’s Lifestyle Audio Division.
