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February 21, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

United Fixes Family Seating Fees After Biden’s Criticism

United Airlines on Monday rolled out a new family seating policy that will make it easier for parents to sit next to their children without incurring additional fees. The change comes after President Biden called out the airline industry in his State of the Union address, saddling families with unnecessary fees to sit together and pledged to ban the practice. Starting early March, United travelers will have access to more adjacent seat options for children under age 12. When there aren’t any adjacent seats available, families can rebook their flight for free.

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Indian Domestic Air Traffic Nearly Doubled In January

Domestic air passenger traffic nearly doubled to 12.5 million in January compared to 6.4 million recorded a year ago, according to official data released on Monday. In January, IndiGo saw its domestic market share decline for the fifth consecutive month at 54.6%. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation received more complaints from the passengers of various airlines about flight problems, baggage issues and staff behavior compared to December. Air India and Vistara had a market share of 9.2% and 8.8%, respectively.

The Financial Express | Related India’s Domestic Air Traffic Registers 95% Year-On-Year Growth In January - Simple Flying

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British Airways Operates First Flight With An All Black Crew

For the first time in British Airways’ 48-year history, one of its flights was operated by an all-black crew. The historic flight took part during the United Kingdom’s Black History Month, flying from Barbados to London Heathrow. Typically, only pilots and cabin crew are considered when something monumental like this occurs. But, for this flight, every person helping get off the ground was Black, including the ground crew, gate team, and dispatcher.

Simple Flying | Related British Airways Creates History, Operates First-Ever Flight With All-Black Crew - Zee News

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Condor Goes Prime With New Business-Plus Front Row Ancillary Product

German leisure airline Condor’s new Prime offering comes in the front row of the Safran Seats Skylounge Core staggered business class product aboard its new Airbus A330neo. The most striking part about the business-plus segment is the guest seat and footrest space, which looks to be twice as wide as the standard foot cubby. There’s also a much wider 24’ IFE and a fold-down table. Condor promises a snack basket in addition to pyjamas, slippers and a premium inflight kit with Rituals skincare products and toiletries. Also included is unlimited text messaging via the onboard Internet, capped at 50 Kbps. The 12€ Basic 2h package is capped at 600 Kbps while the 20€ Premium 4h maxes out at 1200 Kbps.

Runway Girl Network | Related On board Condor's inaugural Airbus A330neo to NYC — in a swanky new business-class product - The Points Guy

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Has Paris CDG Raised The Passenger Experience Bar With ‘Extime’ Concept?

Paris CDG has a new “Extime” concept in the modernized and newly reopened Terminal One. Extime, for ‘Extra Time’, is the airport owner Group ADP’s retail and hospitality brand. Retail brands, lounges and the overall design are matched to the typical kind of passenger passing through the area, and the airline. At the moment, the experience is either ‘lifestyle’ (so geared towards LCCs and holiday / leisure flights) and ‘premium’ (long haul destinations, major carriers). The Extime concept is designed to raise per passenger spend average from €25.30 in 2021 to €27.50 by 2025. It will be rolled out to other Paris CDG terminals this year, and then to other Group ADP Airports by 2024.

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Southwest's New Internet Price Structure Makes You Pay Per Flight

Southwest Airlines will update its onboard internet pricing Tuesday, moving from $8 for an all-day pass to $8 per flight leg. The move comes as part of an upgrade to the carrier's internet service, both with new hardware to support faster speeds on existing aircraft and a new provider for new planes. Current Southwest aircraft have internet by Anuvu, while Viasat-equipped planes will begin entering the fleet in March.

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Finnair Unveils a ‘Berry’ Fine Wine

Following the launch of a bespoke Finnish cloudberry wine, Finnair has partnered with the award-winning Ainoa Winery in Hollola, Finland to launch the new Nordic dessert wine, named ‘Kultainen’. Made with the best cloudberries from Lapland, the new dessert wine is balanced with pure and intense flavors. The word ‘Kultainen’ translates to ‘Golden’, representing the rich color of the drink in a nod to Lapland’s 19th century gold rush. This sweet cloudberry wine is made exclusively for Finnair and will be available to the airline’s Business Class customers from this month.

Travel Daily Media | Related Embattled Finnair Back on Its Feet With Modest Profits - Airline Weekly

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @vie_aviation, showing Austrian Airlines' newest Airbus A320neo at Vienna International Airport. Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

Good morning South-East Asia, 1:40 to go to Singapore and time for breakfast. Not a bad bit of sleep on the way in what is quite possibly the best business class i’ve flown 😍🛩🦊 @SingaporeAir #paxex #avgeek

Fly JetFox - 🦊 ✈️🇦🇺🇨🇿@JetFox90

Association News

APEX TECH 2023 – Early Bird Rates Extended to 28 February!

New innovations and the future of connectivity, how are you prepared and what's your organization doing to orchestrate “the next?” Join us at 2023 APEX TECH, 21 March – 23 March in Los Angeles, CA, and learn from and network with airlines and service providers. Early bird registration rates are available through 28 February. Don’t let the early bird rates fly by! Register now.

> Quote of the Day

"In an era where more families are working in a hybrid environment, they're traveling more often – and they're flying United. We're focused on delivering a great experience for our younger passengers and their parents and know it often starts with the right seat. We look forward to rolling out more family-friendly features this year."

Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer for United Airlines
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The next newsletter will be out tomorrow.

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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