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May 13, 2021

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Today's Top Stories

Alaska Air Orders 30 New Aircraft

Alaska Air has exercised purchase options for 13 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for its mainline fleet following an order for 23 of the type in December. Nine will be delivered in 2023 and the remaining four will follow the year after. Alaska also ordered 17 Embraer 175 jets, nine of which will be operated by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, while the other eight will be assigned to Alaska’s regional partner, SkyWest. Horizon Air, which already has three firm E175 orders, will take five of the jets in 2022 and four in 2023. All eight SkyWest aircraft will enter service in 2022.

Seattle Times | Related Alaska Airlines Moves Forward With Boeing 737 Cabin Retrofits – Simple Flying

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BA Trials Ultra-Rapid COVID-19 Tests

British Airways (BA) is inviting flight crew to take a new ultra-rapid COVID-19 antigen test that displays results within 25 seconds so it can compare the results against the standard tests staff are already taking. The Pelican Ultra Rapid COVID-19 Mobile Test has recently been approved for use in the UK and Europe, and is currently going through the approval process with the US Food and Drug Administration. “We remain committed to exploring easy and affordable testing solutions to help our customers travel again,” commented Sean Doyle, British Airways’ chairman and CEO.

Business Traveller | Related British Airways Trials Digital Queuing Technology – British Airways

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Astronics' The Edge Receives Transport Canada STC, LiFE to Use Platform

Astronics Corporation has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) from Transport Canada for its cabin network platform, The Edge. The Edge, which is designed to be installed overnight, uses a distributed network architecture of smart wireless access points that eliminate the need for a headend server. LiFE in the Air has chosen The Edge to host its digital in-flight solution. Bayram Annakov, LiFE in the Air’s CEO and founder, said, "With the needed STCs completed with Astronics, we can now focus our attention on Boeing 737-800 and MAX aircraft installations globally."

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FAA Approves Fix for 737 MAX Electrical Issue

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Boeing’s service bulletins and associated instructions regarding a fix for the electrical issue that caused approximately 100 737 MAX aircraft to be grounded in early April and halted the delivery of new jets. The issue, which affected American, Southwest and United, among others, emerged after Boeing changed a manufacturing method as it worked to speed up production of the type. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said it requires a “pretty straightforward fix.”

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United Debuts New Premium Domestic Cabin Menu, For-Purchase Snacks

From June 1, passengers on United flights over two hours long will be able to purchase beer, wine and White Claw Hard Seltzer. On June 15, the airline will introduce a revamped for-purchase snack menu including three different snack boxes, as well as Trü Frü Banana Bites, a Food Should Taste Good Chips & Salsa Box and GourmetNut's Mega Omega Trail Mix. The carrier will also launch a new menu for its domestic premium cabins, which includes a unique chocolate pie created in partnership with Eli’s Cheesecake.

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Rex Opts for Boarding Music from Stellar Entertainment

In March, Regional Express (Rex) began using boarding music and pre-recorded announcements and music (PRAMs) provided by Stellar Entertainment from its library of license-ready compositions. Brad Power, Stellar Entertainment’s creative director, explained that the two contemporary tracks selected by the carrier, which were crafted in-house by the company’s production studio, "conjure images of a serene and blissful environment that are designed to put passengers at ease."

Stellar Entertainment | Related Stellar Entertainment’s Original Audio Productions Continue to Be a Hit, After 46 Years – APEX Media

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Munich Airport Introduces Touchless PayPal QR Code Payments

Munich Airport has become the first in Europe to introduce PayPal QR Code in stores run by its retail subsidiary Eurotrade. The touchless payment solution requires passengers to open the QR code in the PayPal app on their smartphone, which is scanned by the cashier. The amount that’s due to be paid is shown in the app, where users can select the preferred payment method stored in their PayPal account. Alternatively, the QR code can be displayed on a card reader, and the customers can scan it in the PayPal app. The service is initially only available to those with a German, UK or US PayPal account, but will be extended to others soon.

International Airport Review | Related Amazon Just Walk Out tech to arrive at Hudson Nonstop Chicago Midway – TR Business

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

An Azores Airlines A321 coming in to land at Toronto Pearson. Captured by @ebidinotphotography.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Eid Mubarak to our friends, colleagues, customers! 🌙 #EidMubarak #holidays #Ramadan

Panasonic Avionics @PanasonicAero

Association News

Job Alert: Account Manager, West Entertainment

West Entertainment is looking for a positive and passionate Account Manager for the world of in-flight entertainment. You will support the Account Director in servicing one of the world’s leading airlines with their entertainment needs and ensuring their long-term success. Fluent Japanese language is preferred, but not essential. The position’s location is flexible, but service hours are JST (Japan Standard Time). To find out more, please email talent@westent.com.

> Quote of the Day

"What we can’t afford for our world is a roller coaster ride. We need to be told, 'This is the plan.'"

Dr. Joe Leader, APEX/IFSA
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Until 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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