Apex Daily Experience

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October 20 2022

Etihad Hires Former TAP Air Portugal Exec As CEO

Etihad Aviation Group named Antonoaldo Neves, the former head of Portugal’s flag carrier, as chief executive officer to succeed Tony Douglas. In his nearly three years with the flag carrier, Neves helped with fleet renewals and expanding routes, overseeing the modernization of TAP Air Portugal. After being discharged from TAP Air Portugal, Neves started a digital travel company Ōner Travel. Before leading TAP Air Portugal, Neves was the President of Azul Airlines from 2014 to 2017.

Simple Flying | Related Saudi Arabia's "RIA" Poaches Etihad CEO Tony Douglas - One Mile at a Time

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Spirit Airlines Shareholders Vote In Favor Of JetBlue Merger

Shareholders of U.S. carrier Spirit Airlines Inc on Wednesday voted in favor of JetBlue Airways Corp’s $3.8 billion takeover offer, moving the companies closer to creating the nation's fifth-largest carrier. The completion of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected no later than the first half of 2024. JetBlue aims to create a “national low-fare challenger” to the US airline industry’s dominant ‘Big Four’: American, United, Delta and Southwest Airlines.

Business Traveller | Related Spirit Shareholders Will Vote On JetBlue Takeover Next Month - Simple Flying

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SSP Trials Robotic Technology At Belfast International

SSP Group is trialing robot service technology at Belfast International Airport. The trial will see six service robots deployed later this month at the Sip & Stone Restaurant and Bar. Working with GW Robotics & Stephens Catering, SSP will test the effectiveness of using the robots to help servers with their day-to-day tasks, allowing the latter more time to focus on customer service. Two types of robots will be introduced at Sip & Stone. ‘BellaBot’ will bring food and drinks from the kitchen while ‘HolaBot’ will collect plates and cutlery once customers have left their tables.

Runway Girl Network | Related Kobe Airport launches robot customer service demonstration - Future Travel Experience

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ANA To Offer New Vegan, Vegetarian And Gluten-Free Meals

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest and 5-Star airline for nine consecutive years, will introduce new vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free offerings on international flights departing Japan from November 1. The new menus have been created by award-winning chef Hideki Takayama, who is a member of the airline’s The Connoisseurs program, in collaboration with ANA chefs. The meals will be available to all passengers, regardless of cabin, but reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time via the ANA website or telephone.

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Bucher Ships First Galley, Stowage Set For Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo

Bucher has shipped the first set of fully customized galleys and stowages to Airbus in Toulouse for integration into the new Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo. In 2011, Bucher implemented the order for the first generation A330 for Virgin Atlantic and has now also been selected as the airline’s Buyer Furnished Equipment partner for this follow-up order. Bucher said its high-quality galleys that are made of up to 65% recyclable aluminum in Switzerland offer the best working conditions for crew and enable them to provide the best possible service.

Aviation Business News | Related Bucher ships first galleys for Starlux A330-900neo - Aircraft Interiors International

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Kids Get Creative At 30,000ft With easyJet’s “Aircraft” Program

Airline easyJet has today announced the launch of ‘AirCraft’, a new arts and craft initiative designed to encourage children to get creative on board flights during their Autumn school holidays. Creative kits including pencils and drawing sheets will be onboard over 160 planes, on thousands of flights from the UK across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, from now until the end of October. The new campaign is being spearheaded by Art Attack presenter and co-creator Neil Buchanan who has been announced as easyJet’s ‘Artist in Residence’.

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Anuvu And QEST Introduce New Dual-Panel Ka Antenna

Anuvu will showcase its new Dual-Panel Ka-Band Inflight Connectivity Antenna System to airlines attending the Airline Passenger Experience Association Expo in Long Beach, California. The antenna is a key component of Anuvu’s Airconnect Ka multi-orbit connectivity platform designed specifically for both GEO and LEO networks. Based on proven antenna technology, the dual-panel antenna delivers class-leading performance on today’s GEO networks, optimizing for fast handoffs and ultra-high data rates. Customers can select the GEO satellite connectivity option that provides the most efficient inflight connectivity performance today, while maintaining full forward compatibility with current and future non-geostationary networks.

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's picture comes from @opro_photo, showing an Air Canada Airbus A321 aircraft taking off from Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier Airport.

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

> Tweet of the Day

No. Stop this no-buttons, non-tactile nonsense. This is terrible and inaccessible for blind people, or even many people who wear glasses, or anyone who decides to lean their arm on the armrest. #PaxEx

John Walton @thatjohn

Association News

Registration is NOW OPEN for APEX/IFSA EXPO!

Registration is now open the most comprehensive end-to-end airline passenger experience marketplace in the industry – APEX/IFSA EXPO! On October 25-27 in Long Beach California, join more than 2,000 industry professionals, including airline CEOs, executives, suppliers, and decision-makers from dozens of airlines around the world, in showcasing the latest technologies, products, and content and share unique insights via our thought leadership programming. Click here to register.

Director of Business Development, Technical Products and Services - Spafax

Spafax operates as a supplier and partner in the airline industry of inflight entertainment, media and content. Clients include large airlines such as Delta, American Airlines, Jet Blue, Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and many more, where it delivers a wide variety of content solutions, media sales and digital services to them Spafax is now recruiting for a Director of Business Development, based in London. For more details on this role, click here.

> Quote of the Day

“This is an important step forward on our path to closing a combination that will create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers. We look forward to continuing our ongoing discussions with regulators as we work toward completing the transaction and delivering value to Team Members, Guests and stockholders.”

Ted Christie, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines
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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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