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June 3, 2021

United Orders 15 Boom Supersonic Aircraft

United Airlines has placed an order for 15 Overture jets from Boom Supersonic and has options for a further 35 of the type. It’s hoped Overture will enter service in 2029 and be capable of speeds up to Mach 1.7, which could cut transatlantic flight times down to three-and-a-half hours. Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator, XB-1, is set to take its first flight later this year. "United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby will be a keynote speaker at APEX/IFSA EXPO, and will discuss becoming the first US airline ever to offer supersonic travel," commented APEX/ISFA CEO, Dr. Joe Leader.

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SITA’s Internet ONAIR Offers Corsair Passengers Customized IFC Plans

Passengers flying on Corsair’s Airbus A330 aircraft are being offered customized in-flight connectivity (IFC) packages based on their loyalty program status and class of travel. The aircraft’s passenger lists are linked to SITA’s Internet ONAIR in-flight Wi-Fi system, which means users only need to provide a last name and seat number to access their personalized price plan. “In the few weeks since we have put the new aircraft into service, we have already seen strong take-up of the Wi-Fi offering provided by SITA,” said Corsair’s CEO, Pascal de Izaguirre. Corsair is set to receive the second of five A330neos this month.

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Collins to Provide PSUs for A320 Family Airspace Cabin

Airbus has selected Collins Aerospace to supply its upgraded passenger service units (PSUs) for the new A320 family Airspace cabin. The PSUs are made of advanced composite materials and include reading lights, air outlet valves and call attendant lights. The modular design integrates directly with oxygen units and can be adjusted to fit a variety of seat pitches. “Years of collaboration and detailed customization have produced a passenger service unit that delivers weight savings, superior performance and a clean design,” said Wolfram Schoettler, managing director at Collins Aerospace.

Collins Aerospace | Related Interiors suppliers trumpet work on new A320 Airspace brand cabins – Runway Girl Network

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American Adds Dedicated Pride Channel to its IFE

American Airlines has added a collection of 23 movies to its in-flight entertainment offering in honor of Pride Month. Its dedicated Pride channel includes titles such as Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Philadelphia, The Greatest Showman, Little Miss Sunshine and more. The carrier works with its Employee Business Resource Groups – 20 groups made up of more than 26,000 American Airlines employees – to highlight movies that celebrate diversity across its IFE offering.

American Airlines | Related American Airlines To Provide Fliers With Skillshare and Rosetta Stone – TravelPulse

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Embraer Receives Order for 200 Eve eVTOL Aircraft

Halo has placed an order for 200 of Embraer’s Eve electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with 100 each due to be based in the UK and US. Halo currently runs helicopter operations, but is planning to start zero-emissions eVTOL operations in New York and London in 2026. Kenneth Ricci, principal of Directional Aviation at Halo, said, "The outstanding lineage ... that Embraer brings to this aircraft positions Eve with significant advantages in the competitive landscape. And our background as operators has taught us that product support is absolutely vital to the overall success of new programs."

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Pangiam Acquires Facial Recognition Company Trueface

Pangiam has acquired US-based facial recognition, weapon detection and age verification company Trueface. Founded in 2013, the company’s solutions provide frictionless access control, contactless temperature checks, and social distancing and PPE compliance monitoring. Trueface’s facial recognition technology recently achieved a top three ranking among western vendors in the National Institute of Standards and Technology 1:N Face Recognition Vendor Test. In March, Pangiam also acquired veriScan, a biometric facial recognition system, from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

PR Newswire | Related Pangiam acquires airport face biometrics platform veriScan – Biometric Update

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Hemispheres In-Flight Magazine Protected with UV Coating

Ink Global, the publisher of United’s in-flight magazine, Hemispheres, is to incorporate Addmaster’s Biomaster antimicrobial technology within the paper coating. According to tests, the UV coating used on Hemispheres resulted in a 99.99% reduction in microbes. Karl Shaw, Addmaster’s manager, Marketing, said, “Passengers were understandably nervous about handling well-thumbed magazines, but a Biomaster coating makes paper products exposed to high-touch volumes more hygienic without affecting the appearance or performance of the paper itself.”

Aircraft Interiors International | Related Finnair discarding in-flight magazines to reduce aircraft weight, fuel use – Helsinki Times

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

The over-wing view from the inaugural Breeze Airways flight. Captured by @theairchive.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Comeback of our queen! "Yankee-Alpha" is on her way to @Airport_FRA, completing mandatory flight checks after reactivation. She spent the last 6 months in deep storage in HAM. Check LH9919 @flightradar24 & welcome her back! First take off: June 6th, to #Nanjing.

Lufthansa News @LufthansaNews

Association News

Watch the 2021 APEX/IFSA Board of Governors Meeting

This year's APEX/IFSA Board of Governors meeting saw airline leaders vote on what the associations' top priorities should be for the rest of 2021. Watch a recording of the meeting to find out why airlines are passionate about focusing on health safety and sustainability, the two topics that received the most number of votes.

> Quote of the Day

"We won’t have a sustainable business model if we don’t have a sustainable planet."

Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines
Read the article

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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