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January 23, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Airbus To Win 235 Single-Aisle Jet Order From Air India

European plane maker Airbus is set to win an order for 235 single-aisle planes from Air India. The purchase is part of a historic purchase of 495 jets due to be announced on Jan. 27. The deal covers a total of 425 single-aisle jets, split between 235 Airbus A320neo-family planes and 190 Boeing 737 MAX airliners. The order is also expected to include up to 70 widebody long-haul aircraft, comprising of up to 40 Airbus A350s as well as 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777X.

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Uzbekistan Airways Orders 12 A320neo Family Aircraft

Uzbekistan Airways has placed a firm order with Airbus for eight A320neo and four A321neo aircraft. These new aircraft will join the carrier’s current fleet of 17 Airbus A320s. The choice of the engines will be made by the airline at a later stage. The A320neo Family will feature the new Airbus Airspace cabin, bringing premium comfort to the single aisle market. The airline is planning to operate these new aircraft to further its domestic and international network.

Breaking Travel News | Related Delta Air Lines Firms Order for 12 Additional A220 Aircraft - ASDNews

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Air China Unveils A350 Business Class Mini-Suite

Chinese flag carrier Air China has launched its new Business Class product for its Airbus A350 fleet, featuring an enhanced Recaro seat but now without privacy sliding doors. Air China has begun installing this new German-made “mini-suite” into its twenty Airbus A350-900s. The carrier has been flying with an older-style Recaro seat — Super Diamond — in its Business Class. Recaro says the new seat will help save fuel costs as its predecessor weighed so much more. It follows that the latest version is one of the lightest full-flat Business Class seats ever made. The suite does have the capability for sliding privacy doors, but Air China opted not to install these.

BusinessClass.com | Related Air France debuts its new long-haul cabin - AeroTime

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Why 2023 Will Be The Year Of The Airport Lounge

The end of 2022 saw a flurry of airport lounge activity—from the debut of United’s new grab-and-go lounge concept, to the unveiling of American Airlines and British Airways’ trio of premium lounges at JFK. But with credit card issuers racing to add new perks for members and airlines scrambling to improve the airport experience for their top fliers, 2023 might just be the year of the airport lounge. AmEx plans to open two new Centurion locations in 2023 after launching new Centurion Studio locations in Fort Lauderdale and Columbus and wrapping up expansions in San Francisco. Washington, D.C. too will soon have a 11,500 sq ft Centurion Lounge located airside near Reagan’s Terminal B.

Condé Nast Traveler | Related 1st look: Delta’s revamped JFK terminal with 11 new gates and 2 new Sky Clubs - The Points Guy

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New Amenity Kits To Look Forward To In 2023

Several airlines plan to launch new amenity kits for premium class passengers in 2023. TAP Portugal is collaborating with Portuguese beauty brand Benamor for its amenity kits. Part of Air India’s upgrade of cabin interiors has involved the introduction of TUMI amenity kits for the premium economy passengers on the recently acquired Boeing 777s. The new Air France kits take the form of gift boxes, including five products from French beauty brand Sisley. Air Canada premium class amenity kits feature luxury Acqua di Parma products on international flights.

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Qatar Airways Brings Year Of The Rabbit Celebrations Onboard

Qatar Airways celebrates the Lunar New Year in its premium lounges and with passengers onboard by introducing festive products and cuisine inspired by Chinese culture and the Year of the Rabbit. The airline will gift complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi codes, Qatar Duty Free discount vouchers and golden chocolate coins enclosed in beautifully designed traditional red envelopes — hóngbāo — symbolizing good luck and prosperity to its passengers. The Chinese New Year celebratory experience is available for passengers traveling on routes to and from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

Qatar Airways | Related AirAsia Welcomes Chinese New Year With 100% Loads On Special Low Fare Flights - Simple Flying

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In-flight Connectivity: The New Core Differentiator For Commercial Aviation

IFC has been increasingly seen as a way to boost customer engagement and monetization onboard. The first offers emerged at the beginning of the 2010s, in the wake of the first partnerships between satellite operators and the early IFC Resellers. Due to low data transfer rates allowed by old Ku-band frequencies at the time, customers had to wait several more years for the market to open, with the multiplication of IFC solutions available, and the modernization of the satellite capabilities. 2023 should be a decisive year for the industry, with a better segmentation of business models and the entrance of a potential disruptor with StarLink. While the pandemic temporarily brought to a halt the dynamic of this nascent market, new deals between satellite operators, airlines and IFC providers were signed this year.

IT News Africa | Related Viasat helps Delta offer free in-flight Wi-Fi starting Feb. 1 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @photos_avion_roissy_cdg, showing an Air France Airbus A350 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

The @Delta F Sky Club is serving up Chicken & Waffles this morning. Chef Redd is absolutely crushing it today!! ProTip: Get the Cajun maple syrup. #KeepClimbing #PaxEx

Eric @GoldboxATL

> Quote of the Day

“The contract signed with Airbus is a new step in our fleet modernization strategy aimed at offering our passengers the most modern and comfortable aircraft. At the same time these new fuel efficient A320neo Family aircraft will help us to further expand and strengthen our footprint in Central Asia as well as develop our domestic and international network”

Ilhom Makhkamov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airways
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ABOUT APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of airlines, businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience, from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and in-flight dining. Visit apex.aero for more information. APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

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