Apex Daily Experience

No Images? Open in Browser

March 5, 2024

Go to APEX.AERO

Today's Top Stories

American Airlines Orders 260 Aircraft From Airbus, Boeing, Embraer

American Airlines is expanding its fleet with an order for at least 260 aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, with options for an additional 193 aircraft. This includes 85 Airbus A321neos, 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, and 90 Embraer E175s, alongside upgauging 30 existing 737-8 orders to MAX 10s. American expressed confidence in Boeing’s ability to deliver the new aircraft starting 2028 and has secured variant flexibility. Deliveries of the new narrowbodies are slated for 2029 or later, while E175 deliveries will begin in 2025. This expansion aligns with American’s focus on premium seating and route upgauging, without committing to excessive growth, ensuring a modern fleet across domestic and international routes.

Aviation Week | Related American Airlines Orders 260 Airbus, Boeing Aircraft – Airways

SHARE

British Airways Unveils New Seats, Routes And Digital Offerings

British Airways has unveiled a £7 billion transformation plan, aiming to enhance various aspects of its services, including introducing new seats, launching new routes, and upgrading digital platforms. The plan encompasses over 600 initiatives targeting improvements across the airline. Investments include £750 million in IT upgrades and £100 million in operational efficiencies. Initiatives include new short-haul seats, complimentary onboard messaging, and revamped website and app. A new First class suite for A380 Atlantic flights is anticipated by late 2025. Upcoming changes also include the return of services to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, enhanced in-flight connectivity, and new lounge designs in Dubai and Miami.

Business Travel News Europe | Related British Airways Unveils New Seats For Short Haul Flights – One Mile at a Time

SHARE

Gatwick Cuts Scope 1 Vehicle Emissions By 90% Through The Use of Biofuels

Gatwick Airport has transitioned its 300-vehicle fleet, including fire engines and snow plows, from diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), projecting a reduction of 950 tonnes in carbon emissions annually. This change, affecting 85% of its fleet, is expected to cut the airport’s direct vehicle emissions (Scope 1) by 90%, without impacting vehicle performance. Part of a broader commitment to net-zero emissions for direct and indirect (Scope 1 and 2) activities by 2030, Gatwick is investing over £250 million in low-carbon alternatives and renewable energy sources. Efforts also extend to engaging with partners to reduce supply chain emissions (Scope 3) through initiatives like airspace modernization and the development of sustainable aviation fuels and next-generation aircraft technologies.

Business Traveller | Related Gatwick swaps diesel for HVO – Airports International

SHARE

AutoFlight Completes First Electric eVTOL Inter-City Flight

AutoFlight’s Prosperity eVTOL achieved a landmark 50-kilometer inter-city flight from Shenzhen to Zhuhai in just 20 minutes, marking the world’s first electric inter-city flight of its kind on February 27, 2024. This significantly reduced the travel time compared to the three-hour drive between the two cities. Partnering with Heli-Eastern, which has ordered 100 Prosperity aircraft, AutoFlight aims to pioneer advanced air mobility services in China’s Pearl River Delta, a region of nearly 100 million people and a significant economic zone. Authorities in this area support the development of an eVTOL ecosystem, with ambitions to lead in advanced air mobility services. AutoFlight, with operations in China, Germany, and the USA, plans for its five-seater Prosperity to be certified for crewed flights by 2025.

SHARE

Stellar Blu To Develop Multi-orbit, Multi-Beam Aero ESA With BAE Tiles

Stellar Blu Solutions is developing a multi-beam version of its Sidewinder ESA for commercial aviation, enhancing connectivity by enabling simultaneous links to LEO and GEO satellites. Revealed at the APEX TECH conference, this advancement promises improved flexibility and performance for airlines. The company’s first-gen Sidewinder, capable of switching between LEO and GEO orbits, is used by Intelsat and Panasonic Avionics for inflight connectivity. The future multi-beam version aims to maintain the same fitment as the current model, facilitating easier aircraft retrofit and linefit processes with Boeing.

Runway Girl Network | Related Intelsat makes the case for multi-orbit IFC versus LEO-only – Runway Girl Network

SHARE

GAO Assesses DHS Trusted Traveler Membership Process

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not inform travelers on how to seek further details if their Global Entry membership is denied or revoked, unlike the TSA PreCheck program which provides guidance on reconsideration processes. This lack of information stemmed from an inadvertent omission in updated notification letters since 2018. Following GAO’s recommendations, the Department of Homeland Security has committed to updating CBP’s notification letters by June 2024 to include detailed instructions for travelers seeking more information about their application’s denial or revocation.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related Trusted Traveler Programs: DHS Has Enrollment Processes, but CBP Should Provide Additional Information on Reconsiderations – U.S. GAO

SHARE

Transatlantic Pilot Project Tests Digital Travel Credential At Schiphol

Flight KL672 from Montreal to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on February 29 marked a milestone in airport border control with a pilot project exploring the Digital Travel Credential (DTC) in combination with facial recognition technology. Initiated by the European Commission, this project is a collaboration between various Dutch ministries, Schiphol Airport, KLM, and Idemia, running until March 31. The DTC, developed to mirror passport chip information, aims to streamline boarding and border checks, potentially setting the stage for future digital travel documentation.

Travel Wires | Related Transatlantic digital credential pilot flight lands at Schiphol – Passenger Terminal Today

SHARE

> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's picture comes from @yun.avgeek, showing an Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Just reached 1 million flown passenger miles on my recent @British_Airways transatlantic flight! What a way to celebrate this milestone in BA First class with the excellent #BA112 crew. Another lovely experience on my all-time most flown route! 🇺🇸✈️🇬🇧 #GoingPlaces #PaxEx

FlyingVinny @FlyingVinny

Association News

Shop the Online APEX Merchandise Store

Surprise your colleagues and team with thoughtful gifts from the APEX Store. It's the perfect way to express your appreciation and support for our wonderful APEX community. Start Shopping today!

APEX Content Market | 26-27 March 2024 | Lisbon

APEX Content Market provides an intimate and productive setting for all airline content needs, including the best in TV, movies, games, GUIs, apps and audio! As the only global industry event focused on connecting in-flight entertainment content buyers with worldwide content distributors, APEX Content Market is your chance to browse the dynamic show floor to get ahead on planning your in-flight content for the upcoming year. Registration is now open!

> Quote of the Day

“The implementation of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to power our 300 diesel vehicles is an exciting milestone for London Gatwick’s sustainability journey and a big step in our fleet transition. It is vital we invest in sustainably sourced HVO to reduce emissions in all areas as soon as possible on our journey to reach net zero for our own Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.”

Steve Kelso, Head of Engineering, London Gatwick
Read the article

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.

Connect with APEX

You have received this email because you are subscribed to this newsletter from apex.aero.

Change email frequency | Unsubscribe