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May 4, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Biden Administration OKs Boost In Chinese Airline Flights To US

The United States will allow Chinese airlines to increase U.S. passenger services to 12 weekly round-trips, the Transportation Department (USDOT) said on Wednesday, equal to the number of flights Beijing has permitted for American carriers. It is a boost from the eight weekly round-trip flights currently allowed by Chinese carriers and matches what Beijing has permitted for U.S. carriers, but a small fraction of the more than 150 round-trip flights allowed by each side before restrictions were imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Alaska To Become An All-Boeing Airline Once Again In October

Alaska Airlines can once again proclaim that it’s “proudly all Boeing.” The Seattle-based carrier announced on its first-quarter earnings call that it would retire its last remaining Airbus jets in September. Those plans became formalized over the weekend when Alaska removed the Airbus A321neo jets from its schedules as of Sept. 30. At its peak, the airline flew 72 Airbus jets. By exclusively flying mainline Boeing jets, Alaska can streamline the pilot training and maintenance processes, while also boosting operational flexibility.

The Points Guy | Related Alaska Airlines Retiring Airbus A321neos In Fall 2023 - One Mile at a Time

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San José Mineta International Airport's Innovative Transit System

The City of San José is moving forward with an innovative, dedicated transit solution to connect San José Mineta International Airport and Diridon Station – the city’s two largest transportation hubs. The news follows a multi-year process and is based on a competitive request for proposals that was open from May to November last year. The selection of San Jose Connection Partners was based on a combination of a strong team, an innovative and well-thought-out solution, and competitive costs.

Future Travel Experience | Related San Jose To Build Glydways Robocar Road For Airport Shuttle - Bloomberg

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Airlines Outline Progress On Eliminating Single-Use Plastics

Airlines that have made commitments over the last five years to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics from their operations will soon be judged on how well they have done. Deadlines are drawing near for LATAM Airlines Group and Ryanair — both of which have set goals to become plastic-free by 2023 — while Etihad Airways’ target date to reduce single-use plastics usage by 80% has now passed. Etihad’s UAE-based rival Emirates also made a commitment in 2019 to reduce single-use plastics on board its aircraft.

Runway Girl Network | Related Air India Reduces Single-Use Plastic By 80%, Takes Flight On Sustainable Route - CNBC TV18

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Air Canada Frequent Fliers Now Have Access To Free Messaging

Air Canada has announced a partnership with communications company Bell to boost in-flight connectivity. From May 15, the Canadian flag carrier is set to offer a free messaging service for members of its Aeroplan rewards program. The exclusive feature will allow reward members to send and receive text messages through iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Google Messages. Bell will also provide tourists to Canada with complementary SIM cards on select services.

Simple Flying | Related Etihad Airways Offers Free Inflight Messaging And Simplified WiFi Pricing On Widebody Aircraft - Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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VPorts’ eVTOL Ecosystem To Nurture Industry Collaboration

Advanced air mobility infrastructure (AAM) developer VPorts partnered with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in December 2022 to establish an AAM integrator center in the UAE. The center aims to bring together all industry players to enable multiple, simultaneous tests and speed up the adoption of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Development of the center will begin in 2023, with operations and flight tests expected to commence in 2024.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related Terminal Concept For VTOL ‘Vertiport’ In Dubai Unveiled - Interesting Engineering

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American Airlines Closes Popular Pricing Loophole

American Airlines is the latest airline to crack down on automated re-shopping, which involves booking the cheapest flight available, and then trying to change it to the time you actually want to travel. American Airlines has updated its governing travel agency agreements, and explicitly written rules into its fare booking policy to prohibit the practice. According to the airline, the crackdown came after people took advantage of “rebooking” by enlisting agents or other third parties to constantly scour for the lowest possible fare, and rebooking as soon as it emerged.

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @yuji_747_hnd, showing an All Nippon Airways Boeing 767 aircraft.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Good news for those @airvistara premium pax who were missing the packed #lounge #paxex at DEL domestic T3! 😀 Just checked in for a flight & no more “Dilli Streat” set menus but seems like a tie-up with #Encalm lounge is now effective. #Vistara #travel #AvGeek #Delhi 🛫

AJ @OntheRoadAJ

Association News

FTE EMEA

Future Travel Experience EMEA returns to the “Silicon Valley of Europe”, Dublin from 23-25 May, to become established as the region’s definitive end-to-end air transport innovation show with an atmosphere, energy and audience like no other. This high-level three-day event, focused on the art of scaling innovative ideas, is dedicated to new thinking and concepts, and combines an exhibition, extensive social activities, conference sessions, interactive workshops, pitch sessions and awards with turbo-charged networking. For more information, click here.

> Quote of the Day

“San José Mineta International Airport is on a positive growth trajectory, and our new airport branding sums up what travellers can expect at SJC: Fly Simple.”

John Aitken, Director of Aviation, San José Mineta International Airport
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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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