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September 18, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Lufthansa To Upgrade A380 With New Business Class

Lufthansa will invest in upgrading all 8 of its Airbus A380s with its latest Allegris business class, confirming the superjumbos’ operation for years to come. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed the A380s’ return to skies by next year. The retrofit includes replacing the current 2-2-2 configuration on the upper deck with the new ‘seats to suit’ approach of the Allegris business class, offering 7 variations based on space and privacy. While Spohr affirmed the superjumbos’ long-term operation in Lufthansa’s fleet, he did not indicate when the A380 refurbishment would begin. The deliveries of the Boeing 777X, which was to replace the A380s, have been postponed.

Executive Traveller | Related Lufthansa A380s Getting New Business Class... Eventually - One Mile at a Time

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Final APEX/IFSA 2023 Global EXPO Schedule Announced

The final agenda for the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, scheduled for 19-21 September in Long Beach, has been released. On Thursday, 21 September, the schedule includes a series of talks from leading airline CEOs, kicking off with Qatar Airways Group CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, at 10am. Other notable speakers include Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, CEO of EL AL; Ted Christie, President & CEO of Spirit Airlines; Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA; Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways; Alex Wilcox, CEO of JSX; Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS; and Zhao Dong, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines.

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Delta Air Lines Updates Inflight Menu Options In Preparation For Fall

Delta Air Lines has updated its in-flight menu for the fall season, featuring premium beers, wines, spirits, and regionally inspired meals in its Delta One premium cabin. Passengers can now pre-order meals before departure on most domestic flights. The refreshed menu includes new complimentary snacks and beverages, such as SunChips, oat milk creamer, and a new AM snack basket. Tequila and New Belgium Brewing’s Voodoo Ranger IPA will also be available on select flights. Delta One and first-class passengers can pre-select their main meal up to seven days before their flight.

Simple Flying | Related Delta Air Lines Inflight Menu Updates Include New Free Snack Option - Thrillist

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AERQ To Showcase AERENA Experience Studio And The Smart View At APEX Expo

APEX Expo 2023 delegates in Long Beach, California, will have the opportunity to learn about AERQ’s digital cabin solutions, AERENA Experience Studio, and The Smart View. AERENA allows airlines to create unique digital onboard experiences with complete control, featuring a one-login procedure, flexible and customizable UI, and app management. The Smart View enhances cabin operations and digital experience with real-time contextual content and a 30” transparent OLED display. Son Yob Pak, Co-Managing Director at AERQ, stated that AERENA enables airlines to control their cabin experience, creating revenue, savings, and growth.

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Emirates Business Class Meal Pre-Ordering Expands

Emirates has expanded its trial of allowing business class passengers to select their meals in advance to more routes, including many European cities, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Passengers can select meals between 14 days and 24 hours of departure, aiming to ensure first choice selection and reduce waste by loading fewer extra meals. Although this does not increase the options available, it helps passengers get their preferred meal, and Emirates crews will have meal preferences listed on their digital devices. This feature facilitates menu planning, optimal food loading, and waste minimization. Emirates also allows passengers to view menus in advance.

One Mile At A Time | Related Emirates expands ‘Book the Cook’-style meals across Europe - Executive Traveller

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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol To Build Largest Car Rental Location In The Netherlands

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has started building the Netherlands’ largest car rental facility, the Car Rental Service Centre, which will host around 2,500 vehicles and combine the five major car rental companies at the airport. The center will have 17,000 square meters of solar panels, supporting the transition to electric vehicles. Located at the former P4 car park, the 40,000 square meter facility will comprise five buildings for vehicle maintenance, repair, and washing, all covered with a solar panel-fitted roof. The center, expected to complete by the end of 2024, will charge over 300 electric cars simultaneously.

Aviation24.be | Related Chennai Airport goes green, operating solely on renewable energy sources - Times of India

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Finnair & SEES Announce Collaborate To Craft Fragrance Experience

Finnish natural cosmetics company SEES has collaborated with Finnair to craft a fragrance experience focusing on creating scent memories and the positive effects of fragrances. SEES products will be available in Finnair’s long-haul business class cabins and lounges at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, providing a unified olfactory experience from the lounge to the airplane. The products, made from natural essential oils, biodegradable ingredients, and recycled plastic packaging, aim to relax and soothe the mind while being environmentally friendly. The collaboration emphasizes the Finnish origin of the products and their simple Scandinavian aesthetic.

SEES Company | Related Edelweiss brings its own fragrance on board - Aviation24.be

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @wolnerchris_aviation, featuring an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft at Dubai International Airport - Terminal 3.

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

> Tweet of the Day

Back to the mothership for a few days. Eating in the @British_Airways lounge tonight, one of the positives to come from COVID is the better food in the London lounges. Shame table service has gone though. #paxex

Simon Stirrat @SimonStirrat

Association News

APEX/IFSA Global EXPO - Register now!

APEX/IFSA Global EXPO, co-located with FTE Global, is where the largest gathering of airline executives from around the world come together to network, forge new partnerships, share unique insights, collaborate and meet with the top exhibitors demonstrating the latest innovation and technology. Join us in Los Angeles for the most comprehensive end-to-end airline passenger experience marketplace in the industry from 19-21 September. Click here for more details.

> Quote of the Day

“The plane will fly longer than we thought when we brought the first one back a year ago. If it were up to our customers, there could be even more.”

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr
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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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