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March 20, 2024

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Today's Top Stories

Korean Air Preps Premium Economy Launch

Korean Air is focusing on premium travel with new business class suites and premium economy seats. The Prestige Class suites, featuring high walls, sliding privacy doors, and high-tech features, will debut on Boeing 787-10 jets in a two-class configuration. Premium economy seats will be introduced later this year on retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, alongside the new business class suites and economy seats. Korean Air plans to expand its fleet with more 787-9s, 787-10s, and possibly Airbus A350s, while retiring Airbus A380s and Boeing 747-8s in the coming years.

Executive Traveller | Related New Korean Air Business Class Seat Coming To 777 & 787 – One Mile at a Time

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Royal Jordanian Introducing Viasat Wi-Fi

Royal Jordanian has partnered with Viasat to install Wi-Fi throughout its fleet, with over 40 aircraft set to receive the connectivity. The service will be offered on newly delivered Embraer E190-E2s, Airbus A320neos, and Boeing 787-9s, while existing Boeing 787-8s will be retrofitted. Viasat is known for providing high-quality inflight connectivity and is commonly used by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The first plane to feature Viasat Wi-Fi will be an Embraer aircraft delivered in the coming weeks, enhancing the in-flight experience for Royal Jordanian passengers.

One Mile at a Time | Related Viasat sees entire Ka fleet supporting Royal Jordanian IFC in time – Runway Girl Network

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Cathay Pacific To Team Up With French Restaurant Louise

Cathay Pacific has partnered with Michelin-starred French restaurant Louise to offer an exclusive menu of 16 reinterpreted French classics for first and business class passengers on select long-haul flights from Hong Kong. First class appetizers include Obsiblue prawns with herb-infused consommé, while main courses feature steamed Chilean sea bass with chorizo sauce and chicken ballotine with sauce supreme. Business class main courses include braised Iberico pork belly with bacon jam and pan-seared beef tenderloin with Madeira jus. Cathay Pacific aims to reach 80% of its pre-pandemic passenger flights by Q2 2024 and 100% by 2025.

Business Traveller | Related Cathay Pacific partners with Michelin-starred French restaurant – Inflight

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Viasat Still Determining NGSO Ambition & Its Pertinence To IFC Plan

Viasat's plans for the LEO portion of its Orchestra integrated solution remain uncertain following its acquisition of Inmarsat. The company is currently focused on launching two Heosat-led HEO satellites hosting Viasat's GX-10a and GX-10b Ka-band payloads, which will provide polar coverage. Viasat may not need LEO to offer global coverage, and the closure of Russian airspace has reduced the urgency for polar coverage. The company faces competition from SpaceX's Starlink Aviation and Eutelsat OneWeb's upcoming LEO IFC services, with some customers already migrating to Starlink.

Runway Girl Network | Related Telesat on why the wait for Lightspeed will be worth it in aero – Runway Girl Network

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British Airways Outlines Investment In Sustainable Ground Equipment

British Airways is overhauling its ground support equipment at Heathrow Airport to reduce emissions. The carrier is replacing vans, cars, cargo transporters, and passenger steps with electric alternatives where available. Over 90% of BA's vehicles and ground equipment at Heathrow are either zero-emissions electrical equipment, hybrids, or operating on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel. The airline is investing in replacing diesel passenger aircraft steps, cargo loading and unloading vehicles, baggage tugs, and passenger buses with electric or hybrid alternatives. These improvements are part of BA's £7 billion transformation program.

Business Traveller | Related British Airways invests in sustainable ground equipment at Heathrow – Airport Technology

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CDC & Partners Expand Pathogen Surveillance Program To Two New Airports

Ginkgo Bioworks, the CDC, and XpresCheck by XWell have expanded the CDC's Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program to Miami International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The expanded funding will increase the volume of nasal and wastewater samples collected, tested, and sequenced using a custom multi-pathogen panel, bringing the total number of participating airports to nine. The TGS program has demonstrated its ability to detect new pathogens and fill gaps in global bio-surveillance, detecting novel strains of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens of interest.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related US Department of Homeland Security releases first AI roadmap – Passenger Terminal Today

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Regional Airline FLY91 Begins Commercial Flights In India

Regional airline FLY91 has launched commercial operations in India, focusing on connecting tier 2 and tier 3 towns. The airline's debut flight between Manohar International Airport in Goa and Kempegowda International in Bengaluru marked the beginning of its services, which will initially include Hyderabad and Sindhudurg. FLY91 plans to add Agatti, Jalgaon, and Pune to its network in April, operating a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline's routes are assigned under the Indian Government's UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, which aims to improve connections to regional airports in the country.

Airport Technology | Related FLY91 starts its commercial operation; introduces special fare of Rs 1,991 – Times of India

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's picture comes from @aviate_ty, showing a Frontier Airlines Airbus A321 aircraft with the 'Spot the Jaguar' livery.

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

> Tweet of the Day

The new arrivals & immigration area at SeaTac is fantastic! Bright, spacious and efficient. All that great impression is undone by pointless security rescreening which grinds to a half every two minutes. Still, an improvement to be sure. #paxex #avgeek

Blazej Krakowiak @GDC @Lexmechanic

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

"By introducing high-speed streaming Wi-Fi on our new fleets, and even installing it on some aircraft of our existing fleet, we are enabling state-of-the-art connectivity while in-flight, and providing passengers with an enhanced and curated entertainment experience."

Royal Jordanian CEO Samer Majali
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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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