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March 15, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Boeing Strikes Fifth-Largest Commercial Order With Saudi Airlines

Boeing has secured orders for 787 Dreamliner jets with two Saudi Arabian airlines. Riyadh Air, an airline owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), will purchase 39 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 787-9s. Concurrently, state-owned Saudia Airlines will also buy 39 jets, with an option for another ten jets. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in Boeing's fifth-largest commercial order by value. The deals are part of an effort by Saudi Arabia to become a global aviation hub.

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Southwest Airlines Outlines Plan To Handle Severe Weather Problems

Southwest Airlines has identified several solutions to manage the kind of severe winter-weather disruptions that caught it off guard late last year, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations. The airline is buying additional deicing trucks, securing deicing pads and fluid capacity at key airports, buying more engine covers and heaters for cold weather operations, and bolstering staffing during extreme cold. The airline will also improve its technology, enhance tools it uses to communicate with flight crews and upgrade its phone systems to better handle surging call volumes.

Wall Street Journal | Related Three Ways Southwest Airlines Is Trying To Prevent Another Meltdown - Dallas News

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Australia’s Long-Range High-Speed eVTOL Takes Off For The First Time

Most of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) development action is in the Americas, China, and Europe. However, there is a notable exception in Australia, where AMSL Aero is quietly getting on with it down under. Just the past month, the company's Vertiia vehicle completed its first test flight. The uniquely box-winged five-seat vehicle performed a hover test in the first week of February, and AMSL then brought its long-range 'air taxi' to the Avalon Air Show in the past week.

Simple Flying | Related Long-Range, Box-Wing eVTOL Prototype Begins Flight Testing Down Under - New Atlas

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Viasat To Supply IFC To Delta Widebodies, A220s And MAXs

Viasat has announced that its in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution will be installed on a total of more than 1,000 Delta Air Lines aircraft. This confirms Delta has selected Viasat IFC services for its widebody fleets, including all active aircraft in its Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 767 fleets. In addition to previously announced mainline fleets, the Airbus A220 and upcoming deliveries on the Boeing 737 MAX will be outfitted and serviced by Viasat. Delta began offering fast, free Wi-Fi to all Delta SkyMiles Members onboard most domestic mainline flights on February 1, 2023.

Runway Girl Network | Related New Viasat WiFi Is Coming To Southwest This Month: Here’s What To Expect - Simple Flying

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Hawaiian Airlines Introduces New First Class Menu

Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines recently debuted a new inflight menu for its first class passengers. The new premium meals are created by an award-winning local chef as part of the airline's Featured Chef Series. The new first class menu features meals designed by Robynne Maii, the owner and chef of the Fête Hawaii restaurant in downtown Honolulu. Maii's dishes are currently available until May on flights from Hawaii to the mainland, including Boston, New York, Austin, destinations on the West Coast, and Papeete, French Polynesia.

Simple Flying | Related Hawaiian Airlines First Class Menu Highlights Award-Winning Chef - USA Today

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Volocopter And Sita Partner On Vertiport Development

Volocopter and air transport industry IT provider, SITA, have entered a partnership, with SITA selected as Volocopter’s digital and IT systems partner for vertiports. Under the agreement SITA has become the latest investor to join Volocopter’s Series E funding round.  As part of the project, SITA will develop new operating standards and a digital-first passenger experience. SITA’s portfolio includes a range of IT solutions, including airport management and operations, passenger operations, flight and aircraft operations, baggage processing, and border management.

Revolution.aero | Related Volocopter Furthers Push For Air Taxis At Japan’s 2025 Expo - Electronics360

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Green Furniture Concept Reveals Seating System For The First Time

The in-house design team at Green Furniture Concept has designed sustainable and modular beam seating systems specifically for airport terminals and gates. Gently curved and three-dimensional, Ascent has been designed to be unique, placemaking and truly seamless. The softly contoured wood design with integrated tables and charging points creates an inviting and comfortable seating area that enhances passenger satisfaction. The modular concept is easy to reconfigure and adapt to fit any desired functions and surroundings and guide the flow of travelers. According to the company, the design creates 30-40% more space than conventional seating systems.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related Interview Spotlight: Johan Berhin, Green Furniture Concept - International Airport Review

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @palmy.spotting, showing an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 taking off from Palmerston North Airport.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Glass jetbridges, BBQ, amazing artwork, great KC food and beverage options, and some #avgeek easter eggs ✈️ The new @Fly_KansasCity Airport Terminal is one of my favorites, check out this video from my experience on its opening day: https://youtube.com/watch?v=DTpM2DpEiBA #paxex #kansascity

Jaspreet ✈️ @JaspreetTravels

Association News

APEX TECH 2023

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. Register now.

> Quote of the Day

“Together, these deals will support over one million American jobs in the aerospace supply chain across 44 states. This partnership is another milestone in eight decades of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and American industry.”

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary
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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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