APEX Experience 7.5 December 2017 / January 2018

airline passenger

volume 7, edition 5 | december 2017 – January 2018

Programmed to Care Can we trust robots with our feelings?

official publication of the airline passenger experience association

THE GROUND.

WE MAKE IT

FLY

No matter how busy the flight, your passengers will feel like they’re in a world of their own thanks to our beautifully designed Airspace cabins.

HD in-flight entertainment throughout, quieter, and with soothing LED ambient lighting, Airspace delivers first class comfort for every passenger. And not only is it available across our newest widebody fleet, it’s also being rolled out across our single aisle A320 family too.

Tranquility. We make it fly.

AD DIRECTORY

Advertisers’ Directory Airbus

airbus.com See pages 8 and 9

AirFi

Emphasis Video Entertainment

emphasis-video.net See page 55

Entertainment In Motion

airfi.aero See page 11

skyfilms.com See page 97

Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems

Eros Inflight Media

BBC Worldwide

Euronews

Black Swan

Global Eagle

astronics.com See pages 18 and 46

bbcworldwidesales.com See page 83

blackswan.com See page 21

erosnow.com See page 73

euronews.com See page 77

volume 7, edition 5 december 2017 – january 2018

Panasonic Avionics

panasonic.aero See outside back cover

Paramount Pictures paramount.com See pages 2 and 3

Pascall Electronics pascall.co.uk See page 43

Penny Black Media pennyblackmedia.com See page 101

Pictureworks

See page 95

globaleagle.com See page 17

blueboxaviation.com See page 31

Images In Motion

skycastsolutions.com See page 44

iim.com.sg See page 104

Skyline IFE Carlisle Interconnect Technologies carlisleit.com See four-page gatefold

castLabs

Smartsky Networks smartskynetworks.com See pages 6 and 7

img.com See pages 4 and 5

Sony Pictures Releasing

Deutsche Telekom

telekom.com See bellyband and page 25

Jaguar Distribution

jaguardc.com See pages 86–103 and page 93

Long Prosper

digEcor

longprosper.com See page 26

digecor.com See page 23

Lufthansa Systems

Donica

lhsystems.com See page 29

donica.com See page 37

experience

skyline-ife.com See page 64

ifpl.com See page 33

IMG Worldwide

castlabs.com See page 55

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ebvnt.disney.com See page 85

Warner Bros.

warnerbros.com See page 91

West Entertainment westent.com See page 70

W.L. Gore and Associates gore.com See page 63

Zodiac Aerospace imsco-us.com See page 15

Skycast Solutions Bluebox Aviation Systems

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Non-Theatrical

sonypicturesinflight.com See page 89

Spafax

spafax.com See pages 58 and 59

TRT World

trtworld.com See page 107

BATTERY

POWER NET

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You can find us on:

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CEO’S LETTER

Dear Members, APEX and IFSA saw record attendance at EXPO this year, with over 5,000 attendees and nearly 100 airlines converging in Long Beach, California, for our shows, along with AIX Americas. The support from the industry illustrates the power of great strategic partnerships, with each event supporting its respective area of the airline passenger experience.

IFSA FEATURED AT SIAL MIDDLE EAST In a demonstration of our international growth, IFSA will be featured as a key partner of SIAL Middle East and the Mercury Awards in December. I am honored to join IFSA board and staff members for this key annual event to wrap up the year and launch into 2018. IFSA sets the World Food Safety Standards for airlines and will now be engaging on halal standards at the request of its global members.

JETBLUE, JETSUITE AND ROUTEHAPPY CONFIRMED FOR APEX TECH We are proud to have secured Alex Wilcox, a JetBlue founder and

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JetSuite CEO, for APEX TECH on 30–31 January, 2018. Routehappy CEO Robert Albert will also be at the event to announce the company’s 2018 global Wi-Fi report in a press briefing, which gathered over 100 global airlines in previous years. Additional executives from Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian and United airlines will be announced shortly.

Attendees will also experience the newest developments from leading entrepreneurs shaping the travel and hospitality industries, including trend reporting on technology issues critical to the aviation industry. Registration is now open: apex.aero/TECH.

APEX ASIA RETURNS TO SHANGHAI APEX Asia heads to Shanghai, 13–14 March, 2018, for our APEX Asia Conference. Speakers and sessions will focus on future passenger experience trends in the region, increasing content purchases, new business models via ancillary revenue and regional economic growth. This event will provide new insight into this rapidly growing market. Find out why

Asia-Pacific carriers are leveraging ventures with low-cost counterparts to keep up with increasing demand while maintaining airline profitability. Stay tuned to apex. aero/events for more information on how to register.

APEX MULTIMEDIA MARKET More than 250 content leaders are expected in Paris, 23–25 April, 2018, for APEX MultiMedia Market.

Airlines, CSPs and diversified distributors will come together to shape the content that will be offered to passengers. Booth bookings for this exclusive, community-driven marketplace will open by 30 November, 2017.

Delegate registration will be open in December 2017.

Best regards,

Joe Leader

APEX/IFSA Chief Executive Officer

PRESIDENTS’ LETTERS

Dear APEX Members,

Dear IFSA Members,

As APEX president, I am excited to announce that EXPO saw an all-time record of nearly 3,000 registered attendees, including more than 330 airline delegates in Long Beach, California. When including attendees from IFSA and AIX Americas, we hosted nearly 5,000 industry leaders across the three shows, with more than 560 airline delegates from nearly 100 airlines!

Not only did attendees have the opportunity to explore the most influential airline passenger experience show floor, they also had the chance to gain valuable insights from an impressive roster of keynotes by Emirates president Sir Tim Clark, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes, United Airlines VP of Marketing Mark Krolick and oneworld VP of Membership and Customer Experience Dennis Tierney.

During the APEX Awards ceremony, airline and vendor dedication to the passenger experience were recognized. And for the first time, airlines were honored with the four- and five-star Official Airline Ratings, based solely on verified and certified passenger feedback.

On behalf of your Board of Directors, we thank you for the dedication and support you provided this year to APEX and the passenger experience. We look ahead to an exciting and successful year, and hope to see you at some, if not all, of the upcoming APEX events in 2018!

IFSA was proud to host its first Compass Awards ceremony honoring companies for their excellence and innovation, at this year’s IFSA Conference and Expo. The Government Affairs and Education Committee facilitated an insightful panel discussion on labeling, food safety and regulations impacting the airline industry.

During this year’s Annual General Business Meeting, the IFSA Foundation reported a record amount of $150,000 in scholarship funds.

Additionally, IFSA and APEX CEO Joe Leader spoke on the growing partnership between the two associations, which has seen IFSA further its global presence and gain access to more than 100 airline contacts and industry stakeholders as well as increase its sponsorship and advertising opportunities.

Among IFSA members, there’s a wealth of knowledge. We aim to provide a global forum to research, develop and communicate to our members, the industry and the public. Mark your calendars for the 2018 Conference and Expo in Boston, Massachusetts, 24–26 September. Next year’s host hotel will be the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Look out for more information in the coming months.

Thank you for your support and dedication.

Best regards, Best regards,

Brian Richardson

APEX President American Airlines

Paul Platamone

IFSA President

To contact the APEX team, please visit CONNECT.APEX.AERO/ CONTACTUS

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BOARD NEWS

From Your APEX Board

Brian Richardson President American Airlines

Juha Järvinen Vice-President Finnair

The APEX Board of Directors is committed to keeping you, the APEX members, informed about Board initiatives and decisions. In addition to this dedicated space in every issue of APEX Experience, the Board sends direct e-mails to keep members updated and hosts “Ask the Board” panels at events to receive feedback. APEX is an association for the members, which is why it’s important to hear from you, year-round.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Maura Chacko Secretary Spafax

Joan Filippini Treasurer

Paramount Pictures

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2017–2018 Board of Directors election. The new Board members assumed their roles at the Annual General Meeting in Long Beach, California, this September.

THANKS TO THE COMMITTEES

Kevin Bremer Chief Advisor

Andres Castañeda

The Board would like to thank each committee member for their hard work during the last year. As always, we welcome your participation and invite you to apply for one of our various committees at connect.apex.aero/committees.

Aeromexico

Boeing (Past President)

MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES APEX events draw company decision makers from every sector of the passenger experience industry and are an excellent way to get the right eyes on your brand. Contact Desiray Young, dyoung@apex.aero, for information on available marketing opportunities.

Michael Childers

Jon Norris

Lufthansa Systems

Panasonic Avionics

EVENTS APEX holds and supports several events around the globe throughout the year. Visit apex.aero/events to stay up-to-date.

Babar Rahman

Anton Vidgen

Qatar Airways

Air Canada

Ingo Wuggetzer Airbus

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ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONS ZODIAC AEROSYSTEMS Connected Cabin Division

SOCIAL

APEX in Action There were lots of memorable moments at this year’s APEX EXPO in Long Beach, California, including a roaring 1920s-themed party, sponsored by SmartSky Networks, at The Ebell Club.

See more social photos on Facebook > FACEBOOK.COM/ APEX.AERO

1. Kerry Radigan, SmartSky; Jags Burhm, Eutelsat; Christine Hall, SmartSky; Ryan Stone, SmartSky; and friend.

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2. Looking dapper at the APEX networking party!

3. Jürgen Jõgeva and Aleksandra Sõsun, Axinom; Natalie England, Future Travel Experience (FTE); and Dave Kingstone, BAE Systems 4. Jill Capilli Lam and Sabrina Allard, Global Eagle

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5. Hiroshi Oshima, Mariko Oshita and Sumiko Ogino, NHK Global Media Services 6. Peter Williams, BBC Worldwide; Alessandro DiGiovanna, Terry Steiner International; David Horan, BBC Worldwide

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7. Kevin Bremer and David Bush, Boeing

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8. Joe Leader, APEX, and Daniel Coleman, FTE, donning their newsboy caps.

9. Ben Griffin, Inmarsat; Greg Mashlan, Rockwell Collins; and friend on the EXPO show floor.

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10. Team Airbus-JetBlue sporting their Airspacebranded bomber jackets.

11. Steve Wingis and Helena Aykurt, Kontron 12. Lester Sutian, Tommy Ko, Jackie Sayno and Jovita Toh, Encore Inflight 13. Jorge Mompo and Stu McGraw, digEcor

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E-mail your photos to > EDITOR@APEX.AERO

PHOTOS: VANCE WALSTRA

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CONTENTS DIGITAL

At Your Service

volume 7, edition 5 december 2017 – january 2018

From humanoid customer service bots to crewmember skills and tools of the trade, we bring you the ultimate passenger experience care package – complete with a members-only guide to some of the newest vendors to join the APEX community.

52

Missed Connection

ILLUSTRATIONS: FELIPE VARGAS; CAROLINA ANGULO PHOTOS: HOWARD SLUTSKEN; SCHOTT; CAIBA ROBOTS; AEROMEXICO; CARLISLEIT

Can airlines ensure fleet-wide IFC consistency?

IN PROFILE

FEATURES

56 Shankar Velusamy

60

Co-Founder and CTO, Ackila

What’s in a Flight Attendant’s Tool Kit? They’re ready to weather nearly any mishap on the fly.

40 Andres Castañeda SVP Marketing and E-Commerce, Aeromexico

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Members Only Meet some of APEX’s newest members.

68

Programmed to Care Robots take a cue from their human counterparts.

50 Denise Poole CEO AMI Inflight and AMI Wines

66 Ian Shergold

Vice-President, Global Sales and Marketing, CarlisleIT

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CONTENTS DIGITAL

volume 7, edition 5 december 2017 – january 2018 10 Advertisers’ Directory 12 CEO’s Letter 13 Presidents’ Letters 14 Board News 16 APEX in Action 38 Doing the Dishes Right Qantas and Delta serve up fine china with weight and space in mind.

32 Seat as Honey

84 IFSA News 36 Building Blocks

Local tips from an airline “bag tag” that cares.¡

Is blockchain the key to greater transparency in the airline industry?

30 Show Stopover

34 Up, Up, File Away!

Icelandair staff stage a historical performance.

The lowdown on in-flight uploads.

STANDBYS 22 Editor’s Letter 24 Featured Contributors

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74

Travelogue: Human First

86 Movie Listings 105 #APEXPOTD

106

Throwback: Turning Time

ILLUSTRATIONS: YANN BASTARD; FRANCISCO JAVIER OLEA

80 APEX News

Nature-inspired comfort solutions are all the buzz.

PHOTOS: QANTAS; KLM; ICELANDAIR; VANEMA; VANCE WALSTRA; SOLARI DESIGN

28 KLM’s Trip Whisperer

78 Headlines

TURN CAPTIVE PASSENGERS INTO CAPTIVATED CUSTOMERS Data-driven passenger experience software solutions e e ie e data wi dri e the f t re of in flight entertainment and connecti it atforms. O r data dri en, PEX ward winning so tion he s air ines create a tr ersona ised c stomer e erience; one that gi es e er assenger the choice, contro and con enience the cra e whether in the air or on the gro nd.

www.blackswan.aero o right rights reser ed. he a o e content or an written ermission of B ac wan ata imited.

ortion thereof ma not e re rod ced or sed in an manner whatsoe er witho t the e

ress

A

EDITOR’S LETTER

Shaking Hands With Robots

Contact APEX Media at

EDITOR@APEX.AERO

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agencies, airlines, airports and passengers, even if the different parties don’t trust each other.

Whatever tech trend we adopt for smarter airports, avionics or customer support, having a hot bot isn’t everything – care should be at the core of every service our industry provides. Take Delta Air Lines’ and Qantas’ latest collections of glasses, plates and utensils, showcased in “Doing the Dishes Right” on page 38. Could an algorithm have calculated the care and attention that went into the details of that serviceware?

It’s equally hard to believe that robots could replace the work of flight attendants, who, we discover in Katie Sehl’s “What’s in a Flight Attendant’s Toolkit?” on page 60, have an assortment of hidden skills.

We also see how the human hand sets service apart in our Q&A with CEO of AMI Inflight and AMI Wine, Denise Poole, on page 50, who reveals how her company goes to great lengths for their customers, and in Mary Doyle’s travelogue “Human First,” on page 74, as she recounts her experience as a passenger traveling with a wheelchair. And so one thing seems to be certain: Not all aspects of service and care can be rendered in ones and zeroes.

Maryann Simson

Director, APEX Media

Caroline Ku

Managing Editor, APEX Media

PHOTOS: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS; CAIBA ROBOTS; HITACHI

Our mobile phones take note of when we wake up, when we sleep, where we work and where we live.

They keep a history of things we look up, people we interact with and the details of our text message conversations. Over time, we’ve developed a relationship with them whereby the more we share from our lives, the more they learn about us and the better they are at assisting us. If mobile phones could walk, roll or hover beside us, had faces and eyes, we might even think of them as our personal robots.

In this issue of APEX Experience, we look at how service and care are delivered across the airline passenger experience. One way is through the deployment of airport robots, which can give basic directions, check bags and answer frequently asked questions in multiple languages. But what’s next?

For our cover story, “Programmed to Care,” on page 68, Valerie Silva interviews technologists who are exploring how artificial intelligence is enabling robots to better understand humans: In the future, they may be able to read our emotions and respond according to our moods.

Providing a consistent Wi-Fi experience is another way airlines can show passengers they care. Seth Miller writes in “Missed Connection,” on page 52, how the amenity is evolving to become more seamless – not just in terms of geographical coverage, but across a mixed airline fleet with different connectivity providers. And then there’s blockchain, whose poster boy is the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. In “Building Blocks,” on page 36, Jordan Yerman decodes how blockchain could ease security screening for government

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MASTHEAD

Featured Contributors

volume 7, edition 5 december 2017 – january 2018

CAROLINA ANGULO is a self-taught

See Carolina's work on page 60

Chilean illustrator, who has two kids, two cats and lots to do. Although she cites Terminator as her favorite robot, she’d much rather sit next to a person in flight – especially one with good stories to tell. When it comes to in-flight Wi-Fi, she’s a fan: it’s important to stay connected – even at 35,000 feet, she says.

YANN BASTARD is a Spanish-born

See Yann's work on page 34

French illustrator, who approaches art as a child would construction blocks. His favorite robot is the “lead dancer” of Blanca Li’s choreography, Robot, about the relationship between humans and machines. If Yann could sit next to anyone on a flight, it would be Patti Smith – “she’s totally my hero,” he says.

MARY DOYLE is a life coach who

Read Mary's work on page 74

helps people overcome their challenges and find new directions.

Her favorite robot is R2-D2 because he’s a fixer and a helper. She likes that his undecipherable language is universal. “And, he has wheels, like me.” If Mary could sit next to anyone on an airplane it would be Buzz Aldrin or Pancho Barnes.

STEPHANIE TAYLOR is a freelance

Read Stephanie's work on page 30

writer and part-time PR exec in the aviation industry. Her favorite robot is WALL-E, “because he communicates so beautifully without words.” The best service she received was while buying train tickets to London to celebrate her dad’s 50th birthday: The attendant upgraded them to first class at no extra cost.

volume 7, edition 5 | december 2017 – January 2018

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Publisher Al St. Germain al.stgermain@spafax.com

Programmed to Care Can we trust robots with our feelings?

official publication of the airline passenger experience association

APEX-v7e5-COVER-02.indd 1

2017-11-03 4:14 PM

COVER BY GIANMARCO MAGNANI

EDITORIAL

PRODUCTION

Director

Production Director Joelle Irvine

Maryann Simson maryann.simson@apexmedia.aero Managing Editor Caroline Ku caroline.ku@apexmedia.aero Deputy Editor Valerie Silva valerie.silva@apexmedia.aero Digital Editor Kristina Velan kristina.velan@apexmedia.aero News Editor Ari Magnusson Research Assistant Ella Ponomarov Contributors Mary Doyle, Jasmin Legatos, Seth Miller, Katie Sehl, Howard Slutsken, Stephanie Taylor, Jordan Yerman

ART Art Director Nicolás Venturelli nicolas.venturelli@apexmedia.aero Graphic Designer Angélica Geisse Contributors Carolina Angulo, Yann Bastard, Gianmarco Magnani, Francisco Javier Olea, Felipe Vargas, Vance Walstra

FSC-FPO

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APEX Experience Magazine 575 Anton Blvd, Ste 1020 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 +1 714 363 4900

airline passenger

Production Manager Felipe Batista Nunes Copy Editor Deanna Dority Fact Checkers Tara Dupuis Leah Jane Esau Proofreaders Katie Moore Robert Ronald

ADVERTISING Sales Director Steve O’Connor steve.oconnor@apexmedia.aero +44 207 906 2077 Ad Production Manager Mary Shaw mary.shaw@spafax.com Ad Production Coordinator Joanna Forbes joanna.forbes@apexmedia.aero Bookmark Content and Communications, A Spafax Group Company CEO, Bookmark Raymond Girard Senior Vice-President, Product, Bookmark Arjun Basu

IT’S NOT JUST A NETWORK FOR EUROPE IT’S A NETWORK FOR GROWTH The European Aviation Network, the world’s first integrated satellite and air to ground network, is tailor-made for Europe’s busy routes and hubs.

Ideal for narrow body aircraft, cost-effective to install and run, EAN is scalable to meet Europe’s growing inflight connectivity demand.

High-speed seamless Wi-Fi for flights over Europe gives your passengers a superior inflight experience. By delivering real time messaging and video streaming, it will turn short-haul passengers into long-term customers.

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WELCOME

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The iconic LAX Theme Building in Los Angeles, California.

Up Next: APEX TECH

Stay atop the technology trends disrupting the air travel and hospitality industry at APEX TECH, January 30–31, 2018, at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport Hotel. This year, Alex Wilcox, JetSuite CEO and a founder of JetBlue, will be attending alongside Routehappy CEO Robert Albert, who will unveil the company’s annual Wi-Fi report.

Registration is now open: apex.aero/TECH.

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SERVICES

“This is the most touristy street there is. We recommend that you quickly go elsewhere and explore the real Amsterdam.”

KLM’s Trip Whisperer KLM wants to tag along on your next trip to Amsterdam. Who better to show you around?

“If you are biking through Amsterdam, please be careful.

Watch the tram rails when cycling across them. You won’t be the first to get your tire stuck in one.”

BY JASMIN LEGATOS

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a local in your back pocket dispensing “good to know” advice in real time as you make your way through a foreign city? Useful nuggets would include where to lock your bike based on your location, how much the taxi from the airport should cost and where you should be extra careful with your bags.

In September, KLM launched a limited edition gadget that does just that. Travelers who had booked their September vacation in June were given the option to order an audio device with a built-in GPS module that could be attached to their bag to help guide them through the city. Dubbed “Care Tag,” the free device was loaded with more than 300 insider tips all recorded by the airline’s crews. Based on pre-programmed GPS locations, the tips would come into a when the ser was within fi e meters of a location. For instance, at the bike rental 28

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“Just five meters from you is a fancy urinal. It’s called a krul and you can pee here for free – with an amazing view.”

“Check out the snack corner five meters from you. Looks weird, right? Fast food straight from the wall? Here you can get a frikandel or croquet, which are delicious Dutch snacks. And an authentic experience, of course.”

shop, Care Tag might remind you to always double-lock your bike – useful in a city where bike theft is rampant.

“It’s not only about the standard tips,” Frank Houben, director of Brand and Marketing Communications at KLM, says.

“We really made an effort to give caring advice.” Like many airlines trying to extend their reach beyond the airport and airplane, KLM introduced Care Tag as a way to enlarge the customer journey and do something special for passengers at their destination, Houben adds. or the first insta ment of this mar eting campaign, around 1,000 such devices were available in English, but there are plans to launch a total of 6,000 more in Portuguese, Chinese, German and Russian later this year. The idea proved to be quite popular – the devices were snapped up in just two weeks, but there aren’t any plans to extend Care Tag to other cities. “It’s really about Amsterdam,” Houben says. “I really think it’s a novel experience.”

PHOTOS: KLM

“Check out this piece of Dutch art in this tunnel: Ships made of Delft Blue tiles – that’s as Dutch as it gets.”

FROM

activating TO

relaxing

When traveling often, FlyYourVeda® is a unique choice to support your body’s demands according to your needs FlyYourVeda is a new inflight meal concept that accurately responds to the body’s demands during a flight. Adapted to onboard conditions, the menus are based on easily digestible, nutritious, high quality foods.

The concept was created by the LSG Group Culinary Excellence team and translated into LSG Sky Chefs’ “activating” or “relaxing” menus. FlyYourVeda allows you to pursue a healthy lifestyle even during long-haul flights and supports your wellbeing on board in the best possible way.

Find out more about the FlyYourVeda concept and menus:

ENTERTAINMENT

Show Stopover Take a seat. Icelandair employees are trained to perform more than safety instructions and rudimentary tasks.

BY STEPHANIE TAYLOR

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George Bryant, founder and executive creative director of advertising agency Brooklyn Brothers, which developed the cam aign a ongside Ice andic firm Íslenska, explains, “We commissioned some research, which re ea ed fl ers are seeking both better customer service and more ni e in flight entertainment e wanted to entertain passengers and attract new ones by turning wasted time traveling into time well traveled.”

Around 100 Icelandair employees auditioned for various roles by taking part in voluntary stage school classes, before the fina were chosen. e had a er diffic t o of whitt ing down the stage schoo attendees to the fina cast d e to the sheer number of staff that wanted to e in o ed, on afti rist ansson, Icelandair’s director of Marketing, says. ccording to rist n chram, acco nt director and head strategic planner at Íslenska, what came next was “pretty grueling” immersive theater training.

“First, they learned exercises to loosen up and to react creatively to surprising circumstances,” he says. “Then, they started getting to know the character they were playing – how they thought and behaved – and had to create a story behind them.” his isn t the first time Ice andair t its staff in the limelight. “We know travelers

“We commissioned some research, which revealed flyers are seeking both better customer service and more unique in-flight entertainment.”

GEORGE BRYANT, BROOKLYN BROTHERS

really value human interaction and authentic experiences,” Bryant says, “both from consumer insight and following the success of Icelandair’s pioneering Stopover Buddy service last year, where we matched passengers to airline staff, who acted as their local hosts in Iceland.”

Because only a limited number of people will get to experience the inflight erformance, Ice andair is offering passengers the chance to attend events such as an international soccer match in e a i , or a concert ig r s, courtesy of the airline. Harking back to a prior campaign, Icelandair is also hosting live mini concerts, each in the living room of a Stopover Buddy.

PHOTO: ICELANDAIR

Icelandair is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the introduction of an innovative cam aign. Passengers fl ing across the Atlantic can spend up to seven nights in Iceland at no extra airfare and now, with Stopover Pass, can enter a drawing to win tickets to local music, art and sports events to attend during their stay.

In September, Icelandair kicked off the campaign with a three-act immersive theater erformance on a flight etween ondon and New York via Iceland. The aircraft cabin was the stage of a play that recounted the airline’s history. The cast? Professional actors and Icelandair employees, of course.

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Wireless IFE systems – Bluebox wIFE and Bluebox Wow – offer fitted and portable wireless options for streaming IFE content to both passenger and airline-owned devices.

If you’re looking for options – for delivering IFE, replacing obsolete IFE systems, providing service recovery, delivering accessibility services, generating ancillary revenue – contact us to discuss how a Bluebox solution can work for you.

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COMFORT

Seat as Honey Seat padding with a honeycomb structure hits the sweet spot with airlines looking for durable, eco-friendly comfort solutions.

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of racor, reca s. hen one da , I got an e mai sa ing, ow, o re right It s rea comforta e I e een sitting on it for two ears now.

I ecame the a nch c stomer of racor s tim ite c shions in , when the air ine insta ed them in the econom ca in of its Boeing s. he c shions wi soon e retrofitted in the econom , remi m econom and first c ass ca ins of the air ine s ir s s, as we . ccording to i son, he c shion he s to circ ate air and e a orate moist re, so o ne er get the heat i d from sitting for a ong time. he thermo astic materia is nat ra anti acteria and d ra e, i son e ains, ma ing it erfect for the s i rone in flight en ironment. If some od s i s coffee or wine, t ica what ha ens with foam c shions eca se the can t e washed is the are re aced and end in andfi s, she sa s. racor s c shions can e c eaned do ens of times and are com ete rec c a e. o enia ased anema simi ar draws on the hone com str ct re for its Octas ring techno og , foam s rings

that can e aced to create aried densit ones. Octas ring is incredi ada ta e and c stomi a e, andi es o, chair erson of anema, sa s. he s rings can e made in a wide range of densities, a owing man fact rers to create targeted firmness ones and ro er s ort high ress re oints that can ecome a n isance on ong ha flights. i e racor, anema s re ationshi with nat re doesn t end with the ins iration it draws from it. he com an is wor ing on ro onging the ife c c e of its rod ct for e am e, c tting the foam s rings and sing them for car eting in an effort to red ce its ong term en ironmenta im act.

PHOTOS: VANEMA; VANCE WALSTRA

he first a ication of racor s energ a sor ing hone com techno og was to the midso e of ee o s ath etic shoes in 9 . he fle i e hone com rod ct has since een sed in isne s and ni ersa t dios m er car rides, for whee chair c shions and now on air anes. i icon a e ased racor made its name in the aeros ace ind str as a fina ist at the r sta a in ward ceremon . tho gh the com an didn t ring home a tro h , it did distri te some sam e c shions to ros ecti e c ients, inc ding wiss Internationa ir ines. I didn t hear from I for a co e of ears, san i son, ice resident and creati e director

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CONNECTIVIT Y

Up, Up, File Away!

When it comes to in-flight connectivity, there’s a lot of talk about the downlink, but the conversation is shifting up.

BY SETH MILLER ILLUSTRATION BY YANN BASTARD

For the past couple of years, the con ersation a o t in flight connecti it has foc sed on whether assengers wo d e a e to stream ideos d ring flight. ons ming entertaining content and a ton of andwidth a ong the wa has een e to a satisf ing assenger e erience.

But download demands do not tell the who e stor . ore and more assengers are oo ing to create and share content on oard not st cons me it. rom i e streaming their window iew d ring ta eoff to na chatting awa in flight to show off an grade to siness c ass, the re shing media off the aircraft more than e er efore. or those dedicated to wor ing d ring their flight, the a i it to send not st an e mai t a so an attachment fi e ma es a massive difference in the success of their connecti it e erience.

But how much bandwidth accounts for social media consumption on an aircraft? The details vary, of course, t a indications show that growth in cons m tion isn t s owing. ith a t ica Twitter or Facebook photo upload each

More and more passengers are looking to create and share content on board – not just consume it.

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coming in at aro nd i o tes, there s room for a decent n m er of them to fl off aircraft, but the shift to more video content on ine ma ta c rrent s stems. hether thro gh Instagram tories, na chat or other i e streaming a s, short rsts of ideo cons me significant more andwidth than hotos. nd sers o e them. he introd ction of i e tories on Instagram saw a ercent increase in a erage data cons m tion er de ice in st one month, according to andera, an enter rise sec rit and data management firm. hat n m er re ea s a down oad

spike, but also a burst in video content creators some of which are on oard.

Getting assenger data off the air ane ma es for ha c stomers, t oading aircraft operational information makes for ha air ines, too. oda , the main dri er of data upload is weather reports, with aircraft re a ing c rrent conditions to he improve forecasts and reduce bumps en ro te. B t air ine o erations managers want even more details off the aircraft to improve maintenance and t rn times. s f fleet connectivity becomes a more common scenario, data upload will dramatically increase in o me and a e.

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CONNECTIVITY

Building Blocks Understanding blockchain may be the greatest barrier to its adoption, but increased transparency, security and simplicity are in store once you do.

BY JORDAN YERMAN

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are rapidly gaining popularity, and blockchain, the technology behind them, promises several exciting applications in the air travel industry. In fact, Russian carrier S7 is already using it to sell tickets. Partnering with AlfaBank, S7 is processing e-tickets through the Ethereum cryptocurrency platform, vastly improving upon the existing two-week settlement process between the airline and the ticketing agent.

In a nutshell, blockchain is a public ledger that allows everyone involved to verify the authenticity of each transaction, strengthening security and preventing anyone from altering previous records.

Data control is decentralized and distributed, so no one person or company owns the system – making it a good option for transactions between entities that don’t know (or even trust) each other.

MAKING SURE YOU’RE YOU Identit management re ires erification and security, as well as speed, in an air travel scenario, and blockchain boasts advantages in all three areas. According to Armin Ebrahimi, CEO of blockchain startup ShoCard, the technology can be used to stream ine the identification etting rocess into a one-time event upon entering the airport, with a blockchain-secured token then following travelers throughout their journey. ShoCard has partnered with SITA to create a demo for a digital ID that aims to reduce wait times at airports and border crossings, ensure passenger data is tamperproof and eliminate the need for a single authority to own, process or store data.

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How Blockchain Could Verify Your ID 1. The user downloads an app and creates an ID by taking a photo of their passport.

2. Personal information is extracted, certified and encrypted in a way that cannot be read by any third party.

3. Hashed and signed data is written into the blockchain.

4. Whenever the user decides to share information, a “handshake” is initiated with the third party via the blockchain.

5. The data is further encrypted so only the intended recipient will be able to decrypt it.

6. Once the identities of both parties are confirmed, the data transaction is made.

Source: ShoCard

o ta e o r se fie, scan o r ass ort and you basically create a digital travel ID,” explains Jim Peters, CTO of SITA. However, the blockchain in this case isn’t storing a tra e er s identification, t roof that the I has een erified thro gh an initial scan. It stores and encrypts that information, ensuring that any changes are flagged thro gho t the tra e o rne . his can work from airline to airline,” Ebrahimi says, “as well as from country to country in international travel.”

KNOWING WHAT’S WHAT AND WHAT’S WHERE

By June 2018, International Air Transport Association (IATA) member airlines will be required to track each piece of checked luggage as per the association’s Resolution 753, and blockchain technology can make luggage custody management between flights more trans arent. ir ines c rrent store data in several siloed systems, making the exchange of information – s ch as the ocation of a s ecific iece of ggage ossi e, a eit diffic t. sing e, decentralized database would erect fewer walls between the information and those who need it.

Data control is decentralized, so no one person or company owns the system – making it a good option for transactions between entities that don’t know (or even trust) each other.

Aircraft maintenance can also be streamlined with blockchain integration, which would enable an airline to verify the authenticity and provenance of every one of its airplanes’ parts, as well as log every instance of re air or reconfig ration. In its analysis on the potential of blockchain for airlines, consulting company Accenture writes on its website, “This visibility is profound, and can take the practice of maintenance, safety and aircraft security to new levels.” This transparency would also make for a refreshingly simple travel experience, Ebrahimi says. And after all, “For the layperson, it’s the experience that matters the most.”

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CATERING

Doing the Dishes Right The fine china that graces the tray tables at the front of the cabin must be as weight- and space-conscious as the stuff used at the back.

BY JASMIN LEGATOS

What airlines serve their premium meals on is as important as the meals themselves. fter a , e en the fine china sed at the front of the air ane m st withstand the cha enges of dining in the s . ecent ser iceware a nches from antas irwa s and e ta ir ines ro e that with a itt e design ingen it , dining on a seat ac tra ta e can e e egant and efficient, too.

In ecem er, antas wi remiere new ta eware stra ian ind stria designer a id aon on its Boeing ream iners for assengers in internationa first c ass, siness and remi m econom .

Gracef ti itarian is how aon descri es the iece croc er co ection, fi e iece r sh finished stain ess stee c t er set and fo r iece g assware series. oncei ed in artnershi with a anese ta eware rand orita e and the flag carrier s creati e director of ood, Be erage and er ice, ei Perr , the ta eware draws its ins iration from the ca in itse f. traight ines were e t to a minim m, aon t dio director eramie ot sa s. his idea trans ates into ni es with groo ed hand es, c s with s ight arches, and ceramic atters and ates with raised rims that a so he to mitigate s i s.

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he dishes, made of fine one china, are a mi , minima ist white, sa e for two signat re ieces in orce ain that are s ashed with a ight gra in motif. a it and fee were to of mind for oth the air ine and aon, whose firm a so designed the aircraft s interior, drawing on the antas aesthetic esta ished designer arc ewson, ot e ains. owe er, aon was a so a e to ma e the range ercent ighter than what antas re io s had in ace, witho t ha ing to sacrifice on materia .

Instead of three different ow s erforming different f nctions, there now is one, a owing s to oad ess croc er o era , he adds. his wi a ow the air ine to sa e metric tons of f e er ear. he research rocess in o ed in designing the co ection was s ight onger than what aon s st dio is sed to. e had to esta ish o r direction as we as earn a o t the inner wor ings of this t e of rod ct, ot sa s. esson earned ea ot ids s a c in in the ga e and d ring mea ser ice. ot aon s, tho gh those oc into their ases. It s a sma detai , t one that assengers wi s re a reciate when rea fast time ro s aro nd.

“Instead of having three different bowls performing different functions, there now is one, allowing us to load less crockery overall.�

JERAMIE HOTZ, CAON STUDIO

e ta s wineg asses nest e when in erted, ta ing ess s ace than the re io s drin ware.

CATERING

“The dining experience on board an airplane is completely different to being in a restaurant or at home.”

LEONARD HAMERSFELD, BUZZ PRODUCTS

PHOTOS: QANTAS AIRWAYS; DELTA AIR LINES

Not only is Qantas’ new tableware centered around aesthetics, the collection is 11% lighter than the previous set.

Research and rigorous testing were also a big part of perfecting Delta’s bespoke tableware line, which premiered this past April aboard e ta One and first c ass, and wi e ro ed out to Premium Select passengers toward the end of the year. Created in partnership with Alessi, the 86-piece collection is inspired from the Italian brand’s catalog of contemporary goods and is based on designs from six of its designers, with tweaks made to ensure s ita i it for the in flight dining en ironment.

Items in the collection include a water and wine caddy made from thin sticks of bent aluminum by Brazil’s Campana brothers, an extension of their 2004 Blow Up collection; a version of Helsinki-born Kristiina Lassus’ A401 coffeepot, complete

with a non-drip spout and cover that opens to 180 degrees; and Milan designer Stefano Giovannoni’s Mami cutlery range, resized for the cabin eating space.

The seed for the tableware line, developed with global creative agency Buzz Products, was planted at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo in Hamburg three years ago. “Delta was oo ing to e e ate the in flight c stomer experience, and bring an uncompromising level of elegance and service to the onboard experience,” Buzz Products director Leonard Hamersfeld says.

It took until April 2017 for the collection to ecome a fi t re of the e ta dining scene, because each item was put through

intense testing. For instance, a wineglass from Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s Ovale series, which originally featured a solid base, was hollowed to reduce weight.

But hollowing the base reduced stability, so Alessi widened the bottom and also modified the sha e of the g ass so it wo d nestle better with others when inverted, taking up 33 percent less room than the airline’s former glasses.

“The dining experience on board an airplane is completely different to being in a restaurant or at home, but one of our challenges was to try to mirror that experience at 30,000 feet,” Hamersfeld adds. e needed to ma e modifications whi e sti being true to the original designs.”

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C-SUITE

Main Headline Ehenim a ratecae et hit maximet pore volum ium velitem. Ut quae uno nos modia ea quiam, sequi omniendusam undubisnavo sabalin.

PHOTO: AEROMEXICO

BY NAME LASTNAME | ILLUSTRATION BY NAME LASTNAME

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C-SUITE

Andres Castañeda

SVP Marketing and E-Commerce, Aeromexico Bold thinking, openness and a knack for seizing opportunities are among the qualities that propelled Andres Castañeda’s rise in his career. Those same values are transforming how Aeromexico presents itself and is perceived.

BY ARI MAGNUSSON

T

hat Andres Castañeda ended up working for Aeromexico isn’t surprising. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to work in aviation. “Travel has always been part of my DNA,” he says. “Working for the flagship carrier in Mexico was a great opportunity, and I took it when it presented itself.” Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, Castañeda describes his childhood as one filled with weekend getaways to neighboring locations.

It wasn’t long before he had his first experience living abroad. At age 12, he moved to Canada for a year to learn English in Edmonton, Alberta. A few years later, he studied finance at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education’s campus in Guadalajara. University life opened more opportunities to study abroad. Castañeda spent a summer semester in London studying international finance at Imperial College Business School, followed by a period in Sydney studying a minor in economics at Macquarie University. “That really helped me to understand other cultures, markets and how customers live in different cities,” he says.

Once he graduated from university, Castañeda spent two years working at a call center before moving to Mexico City. There, he took up his first role at Aeromexico, 10 years ago, working as a revenue analyst. But his real breakthrough came when Claudia Contreras became the new chief marketing officer.

“She offered me the opportunity to open a digital marketing department; at that moment, we didn’t have one. All of the dot com, digital marketing and e-commerce duties were located within our IT department,” Castañeda says. “So, it was the first effort to move this area to marketing, and I got to do that. I got to do the first ad contracts with Google through AdWords, the first posts on Facebook and the first posts on Twitter. It really was an exciting time.”

It wasn’t long before another opportunity came knocking. He became CEO of Clarus Digital, one of Mexico’s biggest marketing agencies at the time.

He then worked for Unilever, managing the digital marketing for its brands in Mexico, before rejoining Aeromexico in 2014 to lead the airline’s e-commerce and marketing department.

Since coming back to Aeromexico, Castañeda says a lot has changed. “We took a bold step three years ago, which has really paid off,” he says. “We used to work with seven different digital agencies on creative, social media, e-mail marketing, our app, e-commerce.

But then we decided to ramp up our team and do everything in-house.” Since this radical reshuffle, Aeromexico’s own marketing and e-commerce team has grown from 10 employees to around 100. It now controls the entire process, from creative thinking to design and content creation. “That has helped us to really bring down the cost-per-impact and cost-pertransaction,” Castañeda explains. >

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C-SUITE

Stills from Aeromexico’s Fronteras video, which went viral.

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“We used to work with seven different digital agencies … But then we decided to ramp up our team and do everything in-house.”

PHOTOS: AEROMEXICO

He says it also brought about a shift in Aeromexico’s brand perception. “As Mexico’s flag carrier, we’ve been a leading brand for quite some time. But some brands that have existed for a long time are not necessarily appealing to the younger generation.” Castañeda says the airline went through a process of making its brand more relevant to younger people. “The tone is different. We’re not so corporate anymore. Aeromexico was government-owned until 13 years ago, so we had to get rid of perceptions that we are slow ... And actually, it’s working. We’ve seen an uplift of brand power by 25 percent in the last three years.”

Has the current political climate in the US and Mexico affected the airline? It’s hard to say. “In the first few months, there was a lot of uncertainty … It became more difficult to make plans,” he says. “But I think Mexico and the US have always been great partners and great neighbors. We have one of the strongest exchanges of foreign commerce, and I think this will just keep getting stronger.” He points out that Aeromexico is one of the biggest companies that buy goods from the north of the border. “We import all of our Boeing aircraft from there, our GE turbines – we’re creating a lot of commerce for the US.” One thing is certain, the White House’s current occupant has had an impact on how Aeromexico markets itself. Last year, the airline released an online video, produced by Ogilvy, called Fronteras. The ad opens with the question: “Borders. Has anything good ever come of them?” Filmed in grayscale, its gritty

visuals include images of walls, fences and footage of military parades and riots, ending with the message: “Borders. On land they can maintain distances. But in the sky … we show you it’s different.” Castañeda, alongside Aeromexico’s chief revenue officer, Anko van der Werff, was heavily involved in the development of the idea. “[Van der Werff] said, ‘We have to do something about this.’ So we started working, creating ideas. It really started at the top and we developed it within a couple of weeks,” Castañeda explains.

“We are the flag carrier of Mexico, and we felt at the time that we had to go out and make a bold statement … It was a really clear message that had an incredible reception among our customers,” he says. “We had four million views within three days, with people sharing it. It went out to the media. CNN Mexico spoke about it for four minutes on TV. It was just this amazing piece of content that started on social media and ended up in the newspapers and on TV. Everybody was talking about it.”

The commercial also gave Aeromexico global recognition within the advertising industry after it won Gold and Silver Lions at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. “It was a well-crafted message without actually having to talk about or criticize anything, but having a strong position on where we stand.”

Earlier this year, Castañeda was promoted to the role of Aeromexico’s chief marketing officer at just 34 years of age. In addition, he has now been appointed to the APEX Board of Directors. “I think that APEX has always shown a top-level commitment to the industry to really bring the best of the customer experience and to showcase what’s going on around the globe,” he says. “Being part of that will be valuable for me and Aeromexico.”

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COMMUNIT Y

Members Only

From a specialty glass manufacturer to an orchestra, APEX welcomes more companies from different sectors into its fold. Here are some of the newest members to join the association.

PHOTOS: BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER; WESSCO; MILLIMAGES; BLUE ANT MEDIA; HOWARD SLUTSKEN; SCHOTT

BY HOWARD SLUTSKEN

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COMMUNIT Y

Berlin Phil Media From Bach to Mozart to Vivaldi, the world-renowned Berlin Phi harmonic s igita oncert a has more than , works of classical music. This exclusive archive includes performances from the most eminent conductors and soloists, as well as documentaries and interviews about classical music. e are the erforming artist, and we fi m e er concert program we perform,” Robert Zimmermann, managing director of Berlin Phil Media, says. “Our new technology partnership with Panasonic Corporation ena es s to fi m the concerts in and record in multitrack audio. We are thrilled about it and hope that our exclusive archive as well as our live broadcasts will find their wa into the air ane ca in

There are more than , wor s of classical music in the Berlin Philharmonic’s digital library.

Millimages If there’s one constant in content, it’s that children will always watch animated programs. Paris-based Millimages has produced more than 600 hours of kid-friendly animated shows over the past two decades. ith series and feat re fi ms in its cata og, i images ro ides in flight content to a o t air ines and in different ang ages, according to Lise Cosentino, the company’s sales manager.

“Our latest best-seller, Molang, is a non-dialogue preschool show that targets passengers of all nationalities,” Cosentino says.

The series is carried worldwide, in more than 250 countries, and on a varied and eclectic group of airlines – Emirates, Air Italy, EVA Air, Air France, Royal Brunei Airlines, South African Airways and Hawaiian Airlines have the Millimages has series available for their youngest passengers.

PHOTOS: BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER; WESSCO; MILLIMAGES; BLUE ANT MEDIA

50 series and feat re fi ms in its catalog.

Blue Ant Media distributes lifestyle, reality and documentary programs.

Blue Ant Media Toronto-based Blue Ant Media has been producing content for more than ears, with a di erse cata og of o er , ho rs of award winning rogramming.

Blue Ant owns, produces and controls content on a global scale, taking responsibility of the sale, licensing and broadcast of its content on worldwide video channels. ow a ai a e on the in flight entertainment I E systems of over 20 airlines, Blue Ant’s content includes lifestyle, reality and documentary programming.

“From never-before-seen animal behavior to stories of the paranormal, our catalog brings an entertaining, informative and fresh approach to the passenger experience,” Solange Attwood, senior vice-president, Blue Ant International, says. And Attwood expects Blue Ant’s reach will only continue to expand. “The variety of high a it rogramming a ai a e for in flight iewing is growing, and we can only suspect that the range of content will increase in this market.”

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COMMUNIT Y

PawsGlobal

Wessco International Wessco International has been linking the travel industry with top lifestyle brands for 38 years by Wessco focuses on amenities providing amenities and well-being solutions to and well-being premium passengers. “We focus on what we refer solutions for the “Total Passenger to as the ‘Total Passenger Experience,’ which Experience.” includes the passenger experience before, during and after the flight, Petros a is, essco s ice president of International Operations, says. “The aim is to create seamless, comfortable and memorable journeys.”

With products from skin-care and cosmetic companies, including L’Occitane, Korres and Dermalogica, and designers such as Eames, ichae Gra es and waro s i, essco rod ces ni e rand extensions for airlines, with amenity bags, sleep suits and collectible items that passengers will want to keep as a memento of their journey.

“We foresee passengers increasingly expressing their own preferences in amenities and accompanying well-being services.

We can expect airlines to invest in more innovative Total Passenger Experience campaigns through better-targeted, more meaningful rand co a orations, a is sa s.

he tra e rocess is stressf eno gh for man fl ers – but just imagine how the stress level can jump when traveling with pets. More and more of our fourlegged friends are joining us on airline journeys, and PawsGlobal is looking to make the process streamlined, consistent and stress-free.

“Our solution includes animal travel eligibility that maximizes passenger compliance with the Department of Transportation regulations,” Marcia E. Alden, the company’s founder and CEO, explains. “The entire pet owner experience is driven through self-service that is highly personalized with information delivered in contextual settings tailored to the trip.” And that includes a pet boarding pass that “creates a PawsGlobal aims to make air travel ‘handshake’ between the pet owner stress-free for and the airline that drives revenue,” pet owners.

Alden adds.

here is a direct corre ation etween air ine rofits and assenger e erience, i e rams , CEO of Guestlogix, says. “Airlines have razor-thin margins and ancillary revenue is needed more than ever, but it’s not just about adding a new brand of peanuts or offering two types of soda.” ccording to rams , on . ercent of assengers rchase rod cts in flight.

Guestlogix’s intuitive software package aims to increase that revenue stream by making it easy for passengers to shop and pay, and easy for airlines to analyze customer data, thereby improving the passenger experience.

“Psychology studies have shown that giving people even the appearance of control reduces stress,” Abramsky explains. “Guestlogix has applied this insight Guestlogix to ancillary revenue. As airlines get to know their customers better and offer streamlines more relevant and personalized ancillary products, customers will in turn feel ancillaries for the airline and the more in control of their experience and actively take advantage of opportunities passenger. to buy more and enjoy air travel.”

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PHOTOS: WESSCO; HOWARD SLUTSKEN; GUESTLOGIX

Guestlogix

COMMUNIT Y

Snap Audio Schott believes finding the right light for an aircraft cabin is both a science and an art.

PHOTOS: SCHOTT; SNAP AUDIO

Schott For more than 130 years, Schott has brought its broad technical expertise to the areas of specialty glass and glass-ceramics.

Owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, Schott is headquartered in Mainz, Germany, with locations worldwide.

“Providing the best possible light to set the stage in aircraft cabins is both science and art,” Armin Plichta, global director of Sales and Marketing for Schott’s aviation business, says. “We’ve cultivated both disciplines for decades and know how to transport ight with diodes and the finest g ass fi ers for the sa e of passenger comfort and safety. We aim to enable the perfect lighting for the perfect atmosphere in aircraft cabins.”

Approaching lighting solutions from an optical company’s background enables Schott to think differently, adopting a holistic, noseto-tail strategy. And Plichta believes that the interior lighting journey has just started. “With the shift from fl orescent t es to E ighting systems, there are more possibilities and options to use lighting for airline branding and for a distinct passenger experience.”

You’ve settled in for a 15-hour flight, browsed the I E i rar and fig red o t what o re going to binge watch. When you hit the play button, there’s video, but the sound in your headphones is terrible – the audio jack has failed!

Snap Audio, a New Zealand startup, has s ent fi e ears cond cting research, product development, prototyping and tests to bring a reliable audio connection to every passenger. “We focused on one [pain point] for the passenger, the airline and our environment. Plugging in low-cost headsets into costly audio plugs/sockets and damaging them so easily is wrong,” Patric atson, EO of na dio, sa s.

“We aimed our attention on swapping the strengths around and giving the audio plug/ socket the strength it Snap Audio has introduced a needed to last nearly as more durable long as the aircraft does or so tion for I E headphone jacks. at east the I E s stem.

The Snap Audio connector improves on the traditional 3.5-mm stereo jack with a ow rofi e ergonomic design, im ro ed connectivity, superior reliability and “cost savings for the airlines that replace 30 to 100 percent of their audio plugs/sockets,” Watson says.

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PHOTO: VANCE WALSTRA

Q&A

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Q&A

Denise Poole

LOCATION:

ATL

NOW READING:

CEO AMI INFLIGHT AND AMI WINES

Circling the Sun, Paula McLain

Denise is passionate about food and travel, and has managed to combine the two in a career spanning 38 years. During her 22 years with AMI Group, she and her team have built a product portfolio across the US and Europe that now generates more than $180 million in sales annually.

PASSPORT STAMP YOU WISH YOU HAD:

What’s your philosophy on company culture and customer service?

Company culture is extremely important at AMI. I was the third employee in the company, and we now have 39. I can honestly say our culture has not changed.

We are humble and treat one another like family. The family has grown, but we have managed to maintain the same caring spirit for each and every person.

We have gone to great lengths to hire people who are the right fit. I tell each of them that there are no individual superstars at AMI: We, together, are superstars. We are in it together for the good times and the bad. This philosophy has served us well; it has allowed us to build a very successful company. The bottom line, for us, is not just profit – it is the success and happiness of our people.

For customer service, it’s pretty simple: We will go to the ends of the Earth to make our customers’ jobs easier, to solve their problems, to find the things they need, to be there for advice. Whatever it takes, we are there to provide it quickly and easily every day, all year long.

What do you think is the most overlooked aspect of the passenger experience?

Empathy, but that is changing. Airlines are beginning to understand how travelers feel when a flight is canceled, when they need to be at a wedding, a funeral, an

“Airlines are making great strides through technology and the empowerment of their staff to make things easier.” important business meeting. Airlines are making great strides through technology and the empowerment of their staff to make things easier. They have made “the rules” less restrictive, which is noticed and appreciated by their customers. All of these initiatives have brought a muchneeded increase in level of service.

Can food and beverage offerings reinforce an airline’s brand?

Travelers don’t choose an airline because of food and beverage offerings. They want to reach their destination easily and on time.

However, airlines are able to set themselves apart from a marketing perspective with their food and beverage offerings. The addition of menus designed by celebrity chefs, and being on the cutting edge of food trends, has helped to elevate the in-flight experience.

BRAND OF SUITCASE:

Travelpro

Antarctica

THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT WILL BE:

Faster

In the 2000s, US airlines removed nearly all food and snacks from the aircraft.

What has the road to recovery been like?

It began with the removal of 75 percent of the food that had been offered, followed by buy-on-board programs.

These changes prompted suppliers to change their models, and, in our case, we began to change our product portfolio.

For example, airlines were no longer looking for a cookie at the lowest possible price; they were looking for a high-quality cookie they could sell for $3 in their retail programs. We have been doing this again and again over the last 15 years to meet the ever-changing needs of a more prosperous airline economy.

What’s something about airline food that only an industry insider would know?

The complexities are gigantic! An airline meal may be prepared at 4 a.m., loaded onto a cart and then stored in a cooler for hours before it is transported to the aircraft to then be heated on board by a flight attendant who has many issues to deal with, sometimes compromising how the meal turns out. The flying public has no idea what a meal must go through to get to their tray table.

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IN-FLIGHT WI-FI

Missed Connection How do airlines create a consistent Wi-Fi experience across different aircraft with different connectivity providers?

BY SETH MILLER | ILLUSTRATIONS BY FELIPE VARGAS

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IN-FLIGHT WI-FI

D

elivering a consistent inflight Internet e erience is cha enging on the est of da s. nd with more carriers offering connecti it and more ro iders to choose from, a mi ed a roach across an air ine s fleet is common, if not ine ita e. ddressing the man iss es assengers face concerning different connecti it ro iders is im ortant, es ecia as in flight i i transitions from a r amenit to an e ected necessit on oard. e i ering on that romise arge de ends on the orta e erience. s the content gatewa , the connection orta sets the stage for the entire ser session.

Passenger satisfaction a so re ies on ser ice cost and ac aging, as we as on a ancing the demand for oth s erior and consistent erformance, which can at times e at odds.

THE WAY TO WI-FI irst generation orta s were contro ed the connecti it ro ider, not the air ine, ma ing them eas to maintain, if not artic ar e egant. s a assenger, o were cons ming a Gogo rod ct, not a e ta ir ines or nited ir ines one. he ast co e of ears ha e seen a significant e o tion in the wa orta s are designed, a owing a sing e interface to etter accommodate m ti e ro iders. dding air ine randing to the orta was a ma or de e o ment that came with second generation orta s. Passengers co d now cons me the connecti it rod ct as a c stomer of the air ine or at east it oo ed that wa . ogging in with air ine o a t rogram credentia s and a ing with mi es or a rogram stored credit card ecame ossi e in some cases, t different ro iders sti resented s ight different orta s, a eit a with a nified co or scheme. his second generation st e is cohesi e, t sto s short of de i ering a tr nified e erience.

“We want things to be as seamless as possible.

As long as it navigates and looks the same, most passengers can work with that.�

DAVID COILEY, INMARSAT

assengers don t get conf sed. e want things to e as seam ess as ossi e. s ong as it na igates and oo s the same, most assengers can wor with that.

Other air ines do manage to de i er an entire consistent orta e erience across m ti e ser ice ro iders. Emirates, for e am e, which ses oth Inmarsat s wiftBroad and and Panasonic s eX onnect across its fleet, offers an identica orta and ricing str ct re no matter the ro ider. he same goes for o thwest ir ines, which is fl ing with eX onnect and G o a Eag e s irconnect. rom a c stomer ers ecti e, this is a more nified so tion, tho gh there ma sti e room for im ro ement.

PRICING PAIN POINTS ome air ines contin e to wor on de i ering this most consistent e e of ser ice, wor ing toward the goa of an entire consistent ser e erience. fthansa Gro recent added Inmarsat G o a X ress to its connecti it ortfo io, which a read inc ded Panasonic ionics eX onnect ser ice. ring the im ementation rocess, fthansa was c ear a o t one re irement the need for a sing e ser e erience.

Inmarsat wor ed with e tsche e e om on et, fthansa s in flight connecti it ser ice, to de i er on that romise. s a id oi e , Inmarsat s ice resident of iation, e ains, It is sti et. here are consistencies of oo and fee so that

Is connecti it riced d ration or cons m tion o me he answer is oth a rea it that can ead to conf sion and fr stration among c stomers. ega te ac age ricing is frowned on cons mers, most eca se con erting the ac age si e n m ers to e ected sage is incredi diffic t. Passengers can end disa ointed, either eca se the ac age ran o t too ic or eca se the o er aid for an a owance the didn t end sing. recent ane disc ssion at iation esti a in ondon saw m ti e endors agree that ac age ricing is ndesira e to most, t none co d redict when it wo d e withdrawn from the mar et.

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IN-FLIGHT WI-FI

ti flight i i asses are a compelling option, as they offer passengers easier business expense report processing and usually a discount on the overall service.

However, delivering a pass that is compatible with multiple providers and portals is no easy task. United implemented connectivity services from ia at, Gogo and Panasonic a few years ago, and in doing so featured three different portal experiences. The carrier only recently tested a monthly subscription package for its service, but the offering still isn’t available.

Another challenge for airlines with multiple connectivity vendors is handling promotions. Offering free Wi-Fi to top-tier e ites is a o ar enefit, for e am e, t isn’t always easy to deliver. When Virgin America added ViaSat to its connectivity ortfo io, which a read inc ded Gogo, it had to develop a workaround using promo codes to make sure its elite members continued to receive free Wi-Fi on different aircraft. It works, but not without extra effort.

Southwest and Emirates became dualsource providers relatively recently and seem to have learned from the challenges previously faced by others. While o thwest offers a dai flat rate of and Emirates ro ides the first B of data for free followed by different options based on membership and data volume, both airlines have committed to a single rate across their multiple providers.

SINGLE- OR MULTI-SPEED CONNECTIVITY? Perha s the hardest factor to contro is performance. Even a single provider will deliver different speeds, given the multiple technologies it employs. Add in multiple providers, and things get complicated quickly.

One approach is to have systems perform at the consistent speed of the lowest common denominator. That’s good

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for consistency, but not so great for the overall passenger experience. United tried this on its Thales/ViaSat Ka-band-powered sing e ais e fleet, t e ent a chose to remove the speed controls on its system, delivering faster performance whenever ossi e. dding these artificia ca s, it t rns o t, is rare eneficia to assengers. e ta c rrent offers two fla ors of Gogo connectivity on board: Ku and 2Ku, but e icit mar ets flights on fitted air anes as offering higher-speed Internet. Singling out 2Ku may raise passenger expectations, but it also ensures the carrier is delivering a greater performance level versus that provided by Ku or its ear ier G offering.

WI-FI WITH NO BEGINNING OR END Connectivity and service providers are working toward a truly integrated connecti it atform that enefits passengers, airlines and providers. David o , ice resident of Inflight er ices and Connectivity at Deutsche Telekom, recently described his company’s efforts on that front: “For the passenger, it is all about making things easier. We want to seamlessly merge connectivity into the airline proposition.” By absorbing the Wi-Fi portal into its own app, through Deutsche Telekon’s software development kit, airlines can make the overall shopping experience more seamless: “Buy a sandwich, get some free Internet access, for example,” Fox says.

“We want to merge connectivity into the airline proposition...

Buy a sandwich, get some free Internet access.”

DAVID FOX, DEUTSCHE TELEKOM

Next-generation portals will deliver better content-serving platforms, both for media and ad ertising. he nified so tion offers improved analytics reporting on which ads and pricing structures work and which do not. The net result is a better experience for the passenger and increased revenue for the airline.

For connectivity providers, this e o tion means a significant change in the way they do business. Coiley’s team at Inmarsat noted that one of its partners quite easily and comfortably shifted to a more wholesale relationship in the way it delivered connectivity. “It would be more unusual if connectivity providers refused to operate in that way,” Coiley says.

With the next-generation systems, one factor is clear: The best results for passengers and airlines come when connectivity providers take a step back from the retail proposition and work instead as solution providers to their airline customers. Fortunately, that transition is already underway.

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PHOTO: ACKILA

Q&A

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Q&A

Shankar Velusamy CO-FOUNDER AND CTO ACKILA

LOCATION:

LAX

FAVORITE AIRPORT:

HKG

FAVORITE AIRCRAFT:

Boeing 747

Shankar has 20 years of experience in in-flight entertainment (IFE) and extensive knowledge of major IFE and connectivity systems.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cal Poly Pomona and is skilled in software development, project and resource management, and technical sales. He lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and daughter – and soon-to-be-born twins.

Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you?

It chose me. I started in 1997 as an intern at Rockwell Collins in Pomona, California, then jumped to four other companies in the industry and finally decided to start Ackila in 2010.

Every job has a cool factor. What’s yours?

Working with the team at Ackila. We have a great and enthusiastic group of people who love to work on new technologies.

They are not afraid of a challenge and love building cool things. This makes it more of a hobby than a job.

Why is connectivity important to the passenger experience?

Currently, passengers have the capability to stay connected via social media using their personal devices. The expectation of passengers having access to their own on-demand content while in the air is increasing. Although allowing each passenger to stream content from the ground is a few years away – economically and technically – it is the path the industry must move toward.

How important is social media for an airline in the digital age?

It is very important. The millennial generation and many others are obsessed

“Although allowing each passenger to stream content from the ground is a few years away, it is the path the industry must move toward. ”

with sharing every aspect of their lives on social media. The ability to stay connected for this purpose is already an expectation for a lot of passengers.

What’s your first travel memory?

It was a Pan Am flight from the United States to India. I was about four or five years old and I remember thinking the audio coming out of the hollow tube headset was the coolest thing ever! I would unplug the headset and put my head against the armrest to hear the music coming out of the holes. I just looked it up: They were called pneumatic headsets.

BRAND OF SUITCASE:

Samsonite SEATBACK OR PED?

Both

Favorite snack and go-to drink order on board?

Rum and Coke, and my favorite snack on board is the hot noodle dish they offer on the Asian carriers.

Best place for planespotting?

The Proud Bird by LAX. It’s a restaurant with a mini airplane museum located at the tip of the main LAX runway. They have several airplanes on display behind the restaurant, and it’s a great spot to watch the planes take off and land. It’s amazing to watch and hear a 747 fly right over your head just before its wheels touch the ground.

What did you do the first time you used in-flight Wi-Fi? It was the Connection by Boeing system on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to LAX. I remember testing out a Skype video call and downloading a few MP3 songs.

If you could fly anywhere right now, where would it be?

Probably Cairo. I’ve been fascinated by the pyramids since I was a child and hope to visit Egypt some day.

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SKILLS

What’s in a Flight Attendant’s Tool Kit? Passengers usually see flight attendants checking seat belts and serving food and beverages, but when called on, they are equipped to do much more.

BY KATIE SEHL ILLUSTRATIONS BY CAROLINA ANGULO

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SKILLS

I

t’s not a stretch to imagine that a flight attendant s too it might resem e ar Po ins ottom ess car et ag, containing e er thing from a meas ring ta e to otted ants and hatstands. On an air ane, an thing from safet cards, coffee c s and e tra i ows materia i e o t of thin air at a flight attendant s command. nd m ch i e Po ins, flight attendants ring a tro e of ni e a ifications to the o , a ong with the ncann a i it to erform their tas s as if ractica erfect in e er wa .

Indeed, a cheer dis osition ma e the most im ortant too . igh energ , an o tgoing ersona it and a wi ingness to get in o ed wi a wa s e a flight attendant s most im ortant too s, sa s ate s as c ns i, a flight attendant for a ma or E ro ean air ine and fo nder of Padd e o r Own anoo, a we site a o t the ocation. emo e a the other too s a ai a e to a flight attendant and their ersona it and eo e s i s are what assengers wi remem er.

ATTENDANT IN TRAINING Before flight attendants can get their wings, the m st ro e their a tit de for a tit de with a host of ersona it i i e estions, s ch as, hat s o r fa orite anima and hat s o r fa orite food Oh, and the m st a so e a e to swim an where from ro gh to feet to meters , s ea at east two ang ages fl ent , hoist o nd i ogram ags aro nd an air ane ca in and remain ca m in the e ent of an emergenc , a with a smi e on their face and not a hair o t of ace. o he a flight attendant master the s i s of safet am assador, wine connoisse r, tra e e ert and Gee e traordinaire, an air ine s a i it to ro ide training, aids and ed cationa o ort nities is indis ensa e.

In addition to safet and com iance training wor sho s and reso rces, Etihad irwa s flight attendants can choose to add more too s to their too o with erformance coaching sessions and re aration for romotion wor sho s offered thro gho t the ear.

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SKILLS

“It is challenging to shape a service strategy into a products catalog.”

JULIA DEBACKER, ZODIAC AEROSPACE

“We also partner with renowned brands for training and upskilling our team members,” Linda Celestino, Etihad’s vice-president of Guest Services, says. “This includes Butler training from the Savoy and Flying Nanny training approved by Norland College,” she adds. “When the new Butlers and Flying Nannies graduate, they receive iPads and onboard Flying Nanny kits to assist in carrying out their bespoke roles on board.“ In addition to the childcare skills Flying Nannies acquire, they also learn how to perform magic tricks and apply face paint.

As Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”

For training of a less hands-on nature, Etihad and other airlines take advantage of mobile devices to make information more accessible on the go. “A lot of training is now delivered via e-learning modules, and heavy, cumbersome manuals have been replaced with online versions that you can access via your smartphone,” Maszczynski says.

ON THE BUTTON Smart devices have also proven a useful tool for customer interaction. Old-fashioned Passenger Information Lists that have been digitized can now be updated with live information (when a device is connected) and more details, such as transfer or delay updates. More future-forward gadgets like Microsoft HoloLens goggles – now being tested by Air New Zealand and considered by Emirates – could augment service with a break in eye contact. The ongoing beta program, developed with service provider Dimension Data, provides crew with holographic passenger details, inc ding mea references, flight info and even emotion readings. And passengers with mobile devices can skip the call button and save attendants the trip up the ais e sing their hone or the in flight entertainment system to place requests.

But those in the business caution not to put the cart before the horse, or the tool before the technician. “It is important to remember that offering more services does

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not equate to better services,” says Julia Debacker, innovation and design strategist at odiac eros ace and a former flight attendant. “If the front end is promising more, then the back end has to equally back up crew operations.” By allowing passengers to order drinks through a device, for example, airlines are setting up expectations that the service will be quicker, she explains. owe er, if flight attendants are gi en no additional assistance in preparing the drinks, this will not be the case.

Crew-facing applications, such as Lufthansa Systems’ mCabin and SITAONAIR’s CrewTab, are an important step in that direction, enabling crewmembers to coordinate o erations, comm nicate and e en fi e re orts. a in crew mod es offer flight attendants f o er iews of their flight team, letting them know who’s checked in, where they’re positioned on board and e en which ang ages the re roficient in.

Emirates has rolled out a customized meal ordering app that connects to an on oard i i ro ter and ena es flight attendants in business class to instantly transmit orders to the galley, cutting down on errors. as a ir ines flight attendants have access to two apps: Block 2 Block, which provides customer info, and another that is used for completing sales and transactions with the assistance of a credit card reading accessory. Japan Airlines even offers crew a smile improvement app.

OFF THE RUNWAY Maintaining a comely appearance is part of the job, too, and while airlines have courted controversy over sexist and discriminatory requirements, many have shifted from a “form over function” approach to uniforms in favor of more wearable and durable o tfits. e ta ir ines ac Posen ed redesign of crew uniforms involved more than 160 tweaks and alterations along the way, with more than 1,000 wear testers and a committee of 24 staff members providing feedback on the stretchiness, comfort, and stain and wrinkle resistance of the fabrics. >

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SKILLS

Kits and Caboodles

Service Recovery Kits

Empowering flight attendants with the ability to turn bad situations around, service recovery kits may include dry-cleaning reimbursement vouchers, lounge passes, free upgrade coupons and preloaded backup IFE tablets.

Passenger Safety Briefing Kits A life vest, mock seat belt, safety card and passenger oxygen mask save flight attendants from having to pantomime emergency procedures and help communicate lifesaving information to passengers.

Twenty thousand employees participated by sharing their uniform wish list requests on swaths of cloth, with comments ranging from “hats darling hats” to, mysteriously, “steady rain.” The feedback has led to the inclusion of several utilitarian details like a rubber grip to help keep the shirt tucked in and antimicrobial lining to prevent body odor. ir ines ha e definite im ro ed when it comes to incorporating crew feedback,” Celestino says. In addition to regularly conducting surveys, holding forums, monitoring reports and maintaining a suggestion inbox, Etihad has a dedicated cabin crew working group, and service and aircraft standards team (which consists mostly of core staff with experience as flight attendants .

“We would not be at our best possible level if we did not ask crew for input.”

LINDA CELESTINO, ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Emergency Medical Kits

Usually prepared and packaged by a medical company, a typical airline emergency kit contains everything from antiseptic wipes, tourniquets and nitrile gloves to syringes, blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes. Pharmaceuticals include epinephrine, diphenhydramine, dextrose and nitroglycerin tablets.

Plonkey Kits

An old-fashioned term for a small bag of essentials, either provided by the airline or carried on board by a flight attendant, a plonkey kit usually contains ice tongs, oven mitts, a clothing brush and miniature sewing kit. Flight attendant Mateusz Maszczynski says no flight attendant will ever leave home without “enough medication to open a small pharmacy,” hand sanitizer, plug adaptors, a wristwatch and more.

e ac er rings her e erience as a flight attendant to the research and development she conducts with Zodiac Aerospace and TU Delft. “It is very challenging to shape a service strategy into a products catalog,” she sa s, high ighting the heightened diffic t involved in incorporating perspectives in the highly regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. As a result, she sees product development slowly shifting to a “continuous innovation effort,” one that is no doubt more cost front, t stands to enefit in the long run. “We have to collaborate more in our value chain to achieve the results airlines have been longing for,” she adds.

Celestino agrees. “We simply would not be at our best possible level if we did not listen to or ask crew for input when developing our equipment, galley layouts, product and service designs or standards,” she says. “The crew have to deliver the product, so it has to work for them.”

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PHOTO: CARLISLEIT

Q&A

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Q&A

Ian Shergold

LOCATION:

SEA

VICE-PRESIDENT, GLOBAL SALES AND MARKETING CARLISLE INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY:

20+

THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT WILL BE:

Connected

Ian leads the sales and marketing department at CarlisleIT, where he is responsible for $800 million in global sales. Having previously served in general management positions in the industry, Ian has experience in acquiring, integrating and developing aerospace, connector and harness factories both in Europe and the US.

Installations for in-flight connectivity are really picking up. What does this mean for CarlisleIT? This year has presented a challenge in balancing various market shifts: Primarily, there has been a notable decline in traditional seatback in-flight entertainment systems. In many cases, these have been offset with new opportunities for connectivity installations. Carlisle has been anticipating this market pickup by working on product development and certification in the background. Our satcom solution has been three years in the making, and we are now positioned to support it. It is already very exciting to watch our products leaving the shipping dock in growing numbers.

How is your FlightGear ARINC 791 satcom solution helping connectivity providers and airlines keep installations on track?

The product was designed for easy installation and manufacturing scalability, enabling our company and customers to meet increasing demand.

Carlisle deliberately did not reinvent the wheel; we did not introduce exotic materials or processes into our design.

There is an inherent benefit to this when it comes to supporting the rapidly growing market.

“The performance of cables and connectors needs to be perfect despite being shaken, shocked and routinely doused with coffee from passengers who don’t realize those parts are on the plane.”

Explain how connectors, cables and harnesses that are not in passenger view still play a role in their flight experience?

Passengers expect the systems to work perfectly every time. That performance needs to be there despite being frozen, baked, shaken, shocked and routinely doused with Coke, coffee and orange juice from passengers who don’t even realize those parts are on the plane, in and under their seats. Carlisle’s team put thousands of hours into making sure that

DEGREE:

B.S., Material Management, Brunel University London

experience happens by designing, testing and reliably building those parts to the high standards required.

Could a “disruption” affect your company?

Sure. There’s always the unknown lurking out there. Governments could ban wireless devices on airplanes. Jet fuel prices could quadruple. Passengers could decide they prefer trains. However, right now, we don’t see any of those as likely, and expect more passenger miles with Wi-Fi on board to be a continuing trend for at least five to 10 years, with another generation of connectivity solutions improving on the ones we’re installing today.

What change would you make to improve the airline industry right now?

Remind airlines they need to drive the industry with their spending. There has been a trend of airlines moving away from standards, organizations and interoperability expectations.

That divestiture has allowed the large aerospace companies to move increasingly toward proprietary, incompatible and customized product offerings. This reduces choice, promotes consolidation among competitors and ultimately makes it more expensive to do just about everything an airline might want to do with its fleet.

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Robots, like machines, were designed to perform repetitive tasks, but as they evolve, so does their understanding of humans – and our understanding of them.

BY VALERIE SILVA

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Indy Associates hopes to deploy its concierge robot, Caiba, at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

PHOTOS: CAIBA ROBOTS; SOFTBANK ROBOTICS

Programmed to Care

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

W

e tend to think of machines and humans as opposites, unlikely bedfellows at best. One: hard, plastic and unfeeling. The other: soft, supple and empathetic. The last of these qualities is at the core of what many of us think it means to be human – we care.

But feelings aren’t just signs of human depth; they’re tools, mental shortcuts, that inform and guide our behavior, explains Christopher Noessel, global design practice lead, Travel and Transportation, IBM. “Disgust, for example, saves us from having to erform a scientific test on whether a given thing is toxic. It’s faster when we can just ‘go with our gut,’ and steer clear,” he says. “Another emotion, fear, helps us put aside other concerns to prioritize our physical well-being.” rtificia inte igence I , on the other hand, simply doesn’t need emotional cues to do many of the things that humans do. “A robot can access the entirety of toxicology at a moment’s notice to assess

“We need to find a way for robots to feel when they’re in one of those gray areas, and quickly, gracefully exit and pass over control to the right human being.”

CHRISTOPHER NOESSEL, IBM

a substance’s toxicity, or continually run predictive algorithms to stay ahead of threats,” Noessel says. But even with big data, robots aren’t yet able to exercise empathy and handle ethical situations as a h man wo d. e need to find a wa for robots to feel when they’re in one of those gray areas, and quickly, gracefully exit and pass over control to the right human being,” he says.

A LEARNING PROCESS Until machines can intuitively perform human intellectual tasks, or at least know when to pass them on, they’ll likely continue to perform more repetitive tasks, like carrying baggage, processing check-ins and navigating travelers through sinuous airport terminals. Kevin Kajitani, an intrapreneur at the Digital Design Lab of All Nippon irwa s , sa s the a anese air ine is deploying Pepper, SoftBank’s emotionally intelligent humanoid robot, in areas in airports where travelers often make wrong turns – a task previously conducted by a human. “All day, there was someone just

Pepper can gauge a range of human emotions, including surprise, anger, joy and sadness.

standing there, saying, ‘Go this way if o ha e a connecting flight. hat s not something a human does very well; they won t e satisfied with their o , he sa s.

“But a robot can do that all day long and be completely ‘happy.’”

One argument for the restriction of AI to production-heavy and informationprocessing jobs is that robots lack the ability to adequately perceive social, cultural and emotional nuances. But this isn’t completely tr e, sa s nichi himi , ro ect eader of Haneda Airport’s robotization project. AI can be programmed to read subtle cultural cues such as the difference between a bow signifying “thank you” and one meaning “I’m sorry,” Kajitani explains. “The facial expressions, muscle movements, and speed and angle of the bow can be learned by AI and other robots.”

Noessel agrees, explaining that a crossculture video corpus of expressions and their meanings could plausibly be built for robots to assess cultural norms, predict emotions and adjust behavior accordingly.

“I think IBM Watson APIs [application programming interfaces] will be used to create such a system,” he says. “We are already able to use those APIs to detect emotions in written text or spoken language and either modify a system’s response or alert a customer service representative about it.” >

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Machines may, as of yet, be unable to solve issues that rank high on the emotional spectrum, but they can nonetheless help customer service agents care “better”– if given the opportunity. In addition to taking on airport functions that can be automated, AI – when seen as a way of extending human capabilities rather then replacing them – can empower humans with a deeper understanding of the passenger experience and the means to improve it.

EMIEW3 understands that a single inquiry can be rephrased in multiple ways.

THE JAPANESE WAY This type of more collaborative human-robot relationship mode is firm in ace in Japan, where robots have long been perceived as human aids, not opposites.

There are several reasons why Japanese culture might embrace robots more than American culture, says Kate Darling, self-described “Mistress of Machines” and a research specialist at the MIT Media Lab. “Animism doesn’t distinguish between living and non-living the way that Western religions do, so the belief that objects can have souls may make it easier to accept robots and, in particular, robots created in the image of something lifelike.”

PHOTO: HITACHI

“Astro Boy is a popular reference in Japan and is a positive story about a robot, whereas Western science fiction has tended more toward dystopian stories of robots taking over.”

KATE DARLING, MIT MEDIA LAB

Indeed, more-humanoid airport robots like recently upgraded EMIEW3 – now equipped with activelearning dialogue-data-based AI technology – and Pepper hail from Japan-based Hitachi and SoftBank, respectively. And San Jose International Airport’s dancing humanoid robots, named Norma, Amelia and Piper, were the brainchildren of Future o ot, a ro otics firm based in South Korea.

Animistic beliefs are more prevalent in South Korea than they are in the US, where seeing an inanimate object imbued with humanness can be unsettling.

“We have to decide culturally if we want things that don’t have emotions to exhibit fake ones,” Noessel says. “I’d want to test that directly with travelers, but my gut says that it can feel creepy and upsetting when the robot is getting something wrong.”

In Japanese culture, robotics has long een tied to the fie d of s cho og , perhaps making it easier for people to be more accepting of machines that perform human intellect and emotion. “For example, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro talks about how to get people on the receiving end to engage with the robot. It’s very deep into human psychology and interaction user interface,” Kajitani says. Kajitani’s colleague, Akira Fukabori, intrapreneur, Market Communication, ANA, agrees, saying this focus on the human-robot relationship is “really Japanese.”>

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Darling adds that the representation of ro ots in a anese science fiction and o culture may be another reason why the country is more amenable to the presence of android helpers. “Astro Boy is a popular reference in Japan and is a positive story about a robot, whereas Western science fiction has tended more toward d sto ian stories of robots taking over,” she says.

According to Shimizu, this dichotomy also plays out in the physical attributes of robots being used in Japan versus those in the US. Talking about Caiba, one of the concierge robots currently being deployed in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, he says, “It’s compact and cute, and has cute little features … It’s more like a stuffed animal, instead of the AI in the US, which are more serious, more robotic, harder and colder.”

Cultural inculcation Future Robot’s and cute design aside, Norma, Amelia nothing beats the and Piper can dance, play stimulus that comes from music and sheer necessity. Japan’s take photos. population of 127 million is forecast to shrink by one-third in the next 50 years, with the number of over-64-year-olds – currently estimated at 25 percent – expected to reach 38 percent, according to a recent government report. Kajitani explains that as a result, the younger working population is going to have to output twice as much as the current generation.

“I don’t think the technology is seen as so scary in Japan because it is so necessary in that culture right now. We just don’t have enough people.”

“I don’t think the technology is seen as so scary in Japan because it is so necessary in that culture right now. We just don’t have enough people.”

KEVIN KAJITANI, ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS 72

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An analog to Japan’s labor market decline can be seen, albeit at a smaller scale, in the aviation industry’s impending worldwide pilot shortage: Boeing predicts the industry will require 637,000 pilots in the next 20 years, with industry growth projected at 4.8 percent per year. As a solution, the aerospace manufacturer has proposed a pilotless jetliner, which it says will be tested in a simulator by the end of this year and in a fl ing test ed as ear as ne t. ccording to Boeing, the project will expand upon e isting a tonomo s flight management systems by tackling challenges related to taxiing, incorporating aircraft into airspace and mitigating unplanned events – tasks that pilots usually intervene in.

Though the technology is there, travelers aren’t necessarily ready to embrace it. A recent study by Swiss investment bank UBS found that while pilotless airplanes would save airlines an estimated $35 billion a year and ead to significant red ced airfares for travelers, 54 percent of the 8,000 people surveyed said they would refuse to travel in a pilotless aircraft. “This lack of trust,” Noessel says, “is one of the reasons not to eliminate humans from systems.”

One of the main reasons we trust complete strangers with our lives more than we do e a roficient I is we fee that we can relate, Noessel says: We trust that they operate with a similar moral compass and according to similar principles of self-preservation. “I trust the pilot at the front of the plane because I trust that pilot wants to get herself safe and sound to our destination, too,” Noessel says.

But trust can be built over time. “One of the ways we build trust in people is by giving them low-stakes tasks, seeing them perform them correctly, and seeing them recover from mistakes many times,” Noessel says.

“So, some of the trust issues will be resolved generationally, as people experience robots successfully navigating higher-and-higherstake tasks.” Having won human trust on repetitive activities, machines capable of detecting facial expressions, emotional states and other sociocultural nuances are entering the scene, thereby reducing the distinction between help from a robotic hand and that ever-elusive human touch.

PHOTO: SJC

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TRAVELOGUE

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TRAVELOGUE

Human First Passengers have plenty to complain about when it comes to air travel: queues, delays, mishandled baggage. But for those flying with wheelchairs, there’s a whole other set of challenges.

BY MARY DOYLE | ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANCISCO JAVIER OLEA

A

s a fre ent fl er, air ort enth siast and whee chair ser, I ha e man stories a o t the care I e recei ed from air ine staff o er the ast ears. ost good, sometimes e ce tiona and occasiona so oor I was red ced to tears in ic, which doesn t ha en often. he est ad ice I ha e to offer is to treat me as a h man first, a a a e assenger second and, ast , as a disa ed erson. isa ed tra e ers are re ired to re ort to chec in we in ad ance of those witho t disa i ities. e m st fo ow a different rocess, which inc des eing sh ffled ia ifts and thro gh corridors not o en to the genera ic and sec rit at downs that are at est em arrassing, and entai ast more ersona contact than is comforta e in ic or ehind a screen.

If there is an do t a o t what a assenger re ires, ma I s ggest st as ing. he ma ha e a ersona assistant with them who ma res ond on their eha f. o ite estion can remo e an mis nderstanding or aw wardness, and a oid air ine and air ort em o ees ha ing to ma e ass m tions a o t a assenger s h sica or menta a i it .

Before oarding, disa ed tra e ers are re ired to re ort to assenger ser ice teams at different times, whi e o r eers are in d t free or dining in an air ort resta rant to ic off their ho ida e erience.

he oarding of assengers with restricted mo i it sho d ha en first, t I am fre ent ast, thro gh no fa t of m own. he change of order means I ha e to do the wa of shame ia the ais e transfer chair a whee chair made to fit the narrow air ane ais e in front of h ndreds of fe ow assengers, some of whom can e disres ectf as if I were res onsi e for ca sing a de a . hen I m oarding, I m thin ing a o t a ot of things in ara e , inc ding the man a hand ing s i s of the staff; the safet and comfort of the ais e chair; and, fo owing the disc ssion with the chief rser, the ocation of m e ensi e, c stomi ed whee chair s a a com ination of o erhead ins for its inch car on fi er whee s and in a c oset or the cargo ho d for its titani m frame.

I m a so ee ing trac of m carr on and c shion, and an re ati es accom an ing me who are not themse es fre ent fl ers and ha en t efore witnessed how strange tra e ing can e for me.

Once I am in m seat and on m own c shion, which he s to a oid dreaded ress re sores, I s a as the ca in crew to confirm that m whee chair definite made it on oard. If the are a e to confirm that it has, I ma e a e to re a a it. ometimes I am a e to see its frame going into the cargo ho d ee ing a c ose watch o t the window.

If there is any doubt about what a passenger requires, may I suggest just asking.

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My preference is a window seat, although the check-in staff will automatically override that seat selection if I allow it. By taking a window seat, I have an amazing view, which is 90 percent of the fun – the other 10 percent is talking to the other passengers. Sitting by the window ensures that my neighbors needn’t straddle me to exit the row to go to the lavatory. They usually don’t know I cannot stand to allow them out and often we will not have a common language, so the window seat avoids that conversation for me.

If I ha e to se the a ator mid flight, which I tr to avoid, a cabin crewmember will arrive with the aisle chair, making it apparent to my seatmates that I need assistance. At this point, they’ll usually willingly move to allow me to exit. It can be hugely awkward if those passengers are sleeping and I have to go urgently, t it s a chance I ta e imiting m fl ids and sing prescribed medication. I will have eaten in an airport restaurant known to me, if possible (time permitting), as it is unlikely I will eat the airline meal, in case my stomach suffers an upset and I have to visit the lavatory at high speed via the aisle chair.

If the crew is polite and responsive to my needs, and there are no additiona o stac es, the flight is considered a success. Most onboard staff I have met have been top class.

On landing, it is protocol for the majority of assengers to disem ar first, and those with restricted mobility to await the empty aircraft so passenger services can board and assist us. This part of the journey often takes the most time, and the waiting can be tense due to the unknown outcome ahead. Waiting for the

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By taking a window seat, I have an amazing view, which is 90 percent of the fun – the other 10 percent is talking to the other passengers. passenger service bus with the lift can take much longer than expected, especially if one of the vehicles is on the other side of the terminal or out of service.

Frequently, we will then board a bus to take us to the terminal. Hopefully, on the bus, I can transfer back into my wheelchair – it is an awful feeling to learn it has gone to the baggage carousel. If reunited with my chair, I check if there is any obvious damage, but the better test is when I am back in the terminal and rolling. At that point, I will do a quick assessment to confirm it is in the condition I handed it o er in. On once I am at m fina destination and ha e sed the wheelchair for a day or two will I be fairly certain that it is in good shape.

E en with e er thing I ha e noted a o e, fl ing is sti a joy to me – the adventure, the freedom, the random in flight con ersations. nd it is com ete enhanced by the quality of the staff engagements I have in airport terminals and airplane cabins. The care shown and the service received will impact my mood for the day and the rest of my trip, and that is priceless.

NEWS

Headlines

Top news stories from the airline and passenger experience industries.

AIRBUS ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN BOMBARDIER’S C SERIES PROGRAM Bombardier reached a deal with Airbus to sell a 50.01 percent stake in its C Series passenger jet program at no cost.

Although the C Series headquarters will remain in the Montreal, Quebec, area, a second assembly line will be set up at Airbus’ facility in Mobile, Alabama.

CHINA TO LIFT IN-FLIGHT BAN ON PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES The Civil Aviation Administration of China eased restrictions on using smartphones during flights, after new rules came into effect in October. The revision lifted a more than decade-long ban on the use of portable electronic devices in aircraft cabins, even when used in airplane mode.

Lufthansa signed a €210-million ($248-million USD) deal to buy a substantial portion of airberlin’s assets. The German airline agreed in October to acquire Niki, airberlin’s Austrian holiday carrier, and LGW, its regional airline, as well as 20 additional aircraft. Airberlin ceased operations on October 28.

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Inmarsat and the London School of Economics and Political Science released a first-of-its-kind research study quantifying the economic impact of connectivity on the global airline industry. The joint study predicts significant growth in broadband access, e-commerce, advertising and premium content revenue on board connected aircraft. By 2035, the study estimates that in-flight broadband will be a $130-billion market.

PHOTOS: P. PIGEYRE, AIRBUS; AIRBERLIN

LUFTHANSA AGREES TO BUY AIRBERLIN ASSETS

SKY HIGH ECONOMICS: IN-FLIGHT BROADBAND, A $130B MARKET BY 2035

NEWS

ASTRONICS EARNS IN-SEAT POWER ORDERS FROM SIX MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES Six major North American airlines have placed orders with Astronics’ Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) division to install EmPower in-seat power systems on up to 1,400 narrow-body aircraft and regional jets.

The orders include installations of Astronics AES 110VAC and highoutput USB power units at every passenger seat and at cabin crew stations. The units will be installed from early 2018 through to 2023.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEVELOPING FACE-SCANNING AQUARIUMS Dubai International Airport is developing a method for screening departing travelers that eliminates the need for them to go through standard security clearance counters or e-gates. The airport’s new virtual aquarium depicts an underwater or desert scene to get travelers to look in the direction of hidden cameras while they’re passing through the tunnel on a moving walkway. The project is being developed with Emirates and is exepcted to provide a better quality facial scan.

PHOTOS: BUSINESS WIRE; AIR NEW ZEALAND; AFP; MARCELO CACERES

AIR NEW ZEALAND BEGINS CONNECTIVITY TRIAL ON BOEING 777 Air New Zealand launched a trial of its in-flight Wi-Fi service on board one of its Boeing 777-300s in October. The service operates using Panasonic Avionics in-cabin hardware, which connects to the Inmarsat GX satellite constellation. During the trial period, the airline hopes to gather customer feedback before rolling out the wireless Internet service across its international fleet.

JAPAN AIRLINES AND AEROMEXICO AIMING FOR 2018 CODESHARE DEAL Japan Airlines and Aeromexico will begin codesharing on certain routes as of next year.

The alliance aims to boost connectivity between both countries amid the rapid growth of Japanese manufacturers in Mexico as well as increased tourism traffic in recent years.

In addition to this partnership, both airlines will explore opportunities to improve their passenger experience, such as mutual lounge access and linked frequent flyer schemes.

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APEX Events

APEX TECH

APEX ASIA

30–31 January 2018 Los Angeles, US

13–14 March 2018 Shanghai, China

#APEXTECH

#APEXAsia

APEX MULTIMEDIA MARKET

23–25 April 2018 Paris, France

APEX TECH

19–20 June 2018 Los Angeles, US #APEXTECH

#APEXMarket

APEX EXPO

APEX EXPO 2019

24–27 Sept. 2018 Boston, US

16–19 Sept. 2019 Los Angeles, US

#APEXEXPO

#APEXEXPO

Tweeting from one of our upcoming events? Be sure to use the designated hashtag so other members can join the conversation!

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Follow us on Twitter @THEAPEXASSOC

Pierre Schuberth Honored at APEX EXPO With Outstanding Contribution Award At APEX EXPO in Long Beach, California, Pierre Schuberth was honored with the APEX Outstanding Contribution Award for decades of selfless work, vision and dedication as a leader in developing technical solutions to some of the industry’s biggest challenges. This award, which was first given to Sir Richard Branson in 1993, recognizes individuals whose contributions, innovations or leadership have generated a significant and fundamental improvement to the nature of the airline passenger experience.

Schuberth spent much of his professional life contributing to, or leading projects in, the in-flight entertainment and connectivity, cable television and telecommunications industries. Earning an engineering diploma from the Paris Institute for Advanced Electronics, a degree in systems engineering from the National Higher French Institute of Aeronautics and Space in Toulouse and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from CalTech in Pasadena, Schuberth hasn’t stopped learning and has obtained many continuing education credits as well.

During his illustrious career, Pierre has also been an inventor (having been named in

PHOTO: VANCE WALSTRA

“Pierre stepped up with a vision of the future of this industry, which makes that contribution all the more significant.”

MICHAEL CHILDERS, APEX BOARD MEMBER AND TECHNOLOGY CHAIR

Pierre Schuberth, Thales InFlyt Experience, receiving his award.

three patents), and a major contributor to ARINC specifications for cabin audio, video and telephone equipment, and to APEX (previously WAEA) specifications for digital content delivery. He has also been an active member in the IEEE Computer and Communications Societies, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the Society for Information Display (SID).

“Pierre Schuberth is one of those people whose contributions to our industry have covered decades of selfless work. When a task needs to be done, he has stepped up,” Michael Childers, APEX Board member and chair of the Technology Committee, said. “Pierre stepped up with a vision of

the future of this industry, which makes that contribution all the more significant.”

As a member of APEX, Schuberth was co-chair of the Digital Content Management Group and most recently co-chaired the Encoding and Encryption Technologies working group, whose specification was codified this June and has helped to move IFE into major entertainment and media content delivery ecosystems.

Having retired this summer, Schuberth passes his torch to the next generation.

During his acceptance speech, he stated that he calls on future generations to provide the ultimate in entertainment: virtual reality.

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Interested in Becoming a Member of the APEX Board?

APEX encourages and welcomes member participation. For those who are interested in becoming a member of the APEX Board of Directors, we encourage you to review the following deadlines, openings and time commitments for Board members.

2018–2019 BOARD NOMINATIONS/ ELECTION TIMELINE*

TIME COMMITMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE APEX BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Applications open on 1 May and close on 1 June • Slate announced to the APEX membership in early to mid-July • Election held in late August/early September • New Board of Directors announced at EXPO

• The director and treasurer positions are each for a two-year term, and the president and vice-president positions are each for a one-year term – all commencing at the 2018 EXPO in Boston.

• New Board members attend a New Board Orientation session via conference call, prior to EXPO. • Board members attend three to four Board of Directors meetings in person, as well as approximately three to four additional conference calls during the year.

• APEX expects Board members to attend all meetings in person, but if that is not possible, to attend a meeting on occasion via video or teleconference call.

• Board members must attend EXPO and serve as goodwill ambassadors at the event, and throughout the year.

• Travel/flights for meetings are the responsibility of the Board member. Two to three days of hotel accommodation and meals

• President • Vice-President • Treasurer • Director (3 positions) * The remaining Board roles (e.g., secretary and three additional director positions), will not appear on the 2018–2019 ballot to allow the current representatives to fulfill their respective terms.

Many thanks to the APEX Nominations Committee: Brian Richardson, chair (American Airlines); Lee Casey, member (West Entertainment); Mark Horton, member (Cinesky Pictures); Juha Järvinen, member (Finnair); and Katie Goshgarian, staff liaison (APEX).

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PHOTO: VANCE WALSTRA

SLATE FOR 2018–2019 ELECTION

Board positions include:

will be provided for all meetings, except during EXPO. • Board members are expected to prepare for each meeting by carefully studying the agenda and supporting materials.

• It is vital that Board members support all Board decisions publicly, even if they have not voted in favor of the decisions taken.

• Board members are required to complete all Board reports, duties and assignments (including media requests, when appropriate) within the timelines agreed upon.

• Board members should plan to make 10 or more hours per month available for APEX activities.

• Applicants are encouraged to discuss their intention to join the APEX Board of Directors with the chair of the Nominations Committee (currently Brian Richardson, APEX President) to ensure that both parties are clear about roles and interests, should the applicant be elected.

PHOTOS: AMERICAN AIRLINES; JET AIRWAYS; SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

APEX Heart Awards: Acts of Empathy

AMERICAN AIRLINES

The APEX Heart Awards recognize individuals and airlines behind everyday and extraordinary gestures that elevate the air travel experience. Here are three instances where airline staff went out of their way to let passengers know they care.

JET AIRWAYS

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Pilot and crew

Crew

Crew

After boarding an American Airlines flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, eight-year-old Ayla Johnson realized she had left her teddy bear, Tito, at the gate.

The doors to the aircraft were already closed but one of the flight attendants was able to contact a gate agent who tossed Tito through the pilot’s window.

As Ajay Awtaney boarded a Jet Airways flight with his wife, Shipra Baranwal, on their anniversary, little did they know they were about to encounter a pleasant surprise. When the crew realized it was their anniversary, they presented the couple with a handwritten card and two pieces of cake.

Southwest Airlines helped a father plan a special 18th-birthday flight for his daughter, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Since she loves taking off and landing, the day included eight stops. Southwest crew also sang “Happy Birthday” and encouraged passengers to join in the celebrations with high fives, cards and gifts.

7 x 50’

• • • • •

w w w.bbcworldwidesales.com Email: outofhome.sales@bbc.com

IFSA

Congrats to the 2017 Compass Award Recipients 2017 Compass Award Recipients

IFSA Conference and Expo ic ed off its first om ass wards ceremon this ear, with se en com anies honored for their inno ations. missions were dged on a earance, f nctiona it and a it of rod ct, food and or ser ice.

On the I E o floor, chefs te hen Par erson, ing ood Gro ; e a hee ho se, ; and ar Pearce, Or ando Ba ing om an , too the stage with i e coo ing demonstrations, whi e ce e rit chef aneet ha han hosted an interacti e disc ssion, e oring the science and creati it ehind crafting in flight mea s.

Best Inflight Food hai irwa s Best Inflight Beverage awaiian ir ines Best Onboard Amenity B Prod cts Best Catering/ Food Service/Galley Equipment G o a Partners Caterer of the Year SATS Airline of the Year nited ir ines Supplier of the Year B Prod cts PAX Pay It Forward Award, presented by PAX International etB e

or more information a o t the I om ass wards, ease contact risti ohnson at ohnson e encom an .com.

oin I

at these

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. isit ifsanet.com for more information.

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IFSA CONFERENCE & EXPO Boston, assach setts

PHOTOS: SALVADOR FARFAN, CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

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GET READY FOR DISNEY'S BIGGEST MOVIES. COMING SOON TO AIRLINES!

nt.disney.com

What to look for in the months ahead

Coming Attractions W

24 Hours to Live

A career assassin is given a second chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life, temporarily for 24 hours, just after being killed on the job.

DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON * EXCLUDING US AND CANADA

All the Money in the World

A Bad Moms Christmas

Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Spacey

Directors: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore Cast: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn

Rome, 1973. Oil magnate John Paul Getty’s favorite grandson, Paul, is kidnapped, but this is not reason enough for the billionaire to part with his fortune.

Gail, Paul’s determined, strong-willed mother, must struggle to save her son’s life after Getty refuses to pay the ransom.

Amy, Carla and Kiki rebel against the challenges and expectations of the “Super Bowl for moms”: Christmas. And if creating a perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do it all while hosting and entertaining their own mothers.

T’Challa returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to become king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther – is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

DISTRIBUTOR: DISNEY STUDIOS NON-THEATRICAL CONTACT: MARTIN SANSING

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Black Panther

Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES; © 2017 ALL THE MONEY US, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES RELEASING; @ 2017 STX FINANCING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2017 MARVEL

Director: Brian Smrz Cast: Ethan Hawke, Liam Cunningham, Rutger Hauer, Paul Anderson, Xu Qing

PHOTOS: © 2017 THELMA FILMS, MON VOISIN PRODUCTIONS, ORANGE STUDIO, FRANCE 3 CINÉMA; © JONATHAN WENK/AMAZON STUDIOS; COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES; COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES RELEASING: © 2017 HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HBO® AND ALL RELATED PROGRAMS ARE THE PROPERTY OF HOME BOX OFFICE, INC.; © 2017 PARAMOUNT PICTURES; © JACK ENGLISH/FOCUS FEATURES

Bonne pomme (Nobody’s Perfect!)

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Director: Florence Quentin Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve Fed up with being used by his unfaithful wife and family, Gerard, a city mechanic, escapes to the French countryside to start a new life. He takes a room at the old inn run by the eccentric and lovely Barbara.

Captivated by her beauty and intrigued by her odd behavior, he manages to strike a chord with her.

*

Brad’s Status

Director: Mike White Cast: Ben Stiller, Austin Abrams, Jenna Fischer Brad Sloan has a satisfying career and a comfortable life in Sacramento. But when he accompanies his college-bound son to the East Coast and is forced to reconnect with his former friends, Brad starts questioning whether he’s really failed or is the most successful of them all.

DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI * US ONLY

DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE BÉGIN

DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON * WORLDWIDE, EXCLUDING US AND CANADA

Call Me by Your Name W

Director: Luca Guadagnino Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel, Victoire Du Bois Summer of 1983, Northern Italy. An American-Italian is enamored by an American student who comes to study and live with his family. Together they share an unforgettable summer full of music, food and romance that will forever change them.

DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES * EXCLUDING CANADA

Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 9 W

Creator: Larry David Cast: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Cheryl Hines, J.B. Smoove Seinfeld co-creator Larry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. Shot in a cinema vérité style and featuring celebrities playing themselves, the series follows Larry as he makes the world and himself miserable during the pursuit of his own happiness.

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Daddy’s Home 2

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Darkest Hour

Director: Sean Anders Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, John Lithgow, Mel Gibson

Director: Joe Wright Cast: Gary Oldman, Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, Kristin Scott Thomas

Father Dusty and stepfather Brad join forces to make Christmastime perfect for the children. Their newfound partnership soon gets put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho dad and Brad’s gentle father arrive to turn the holiday upside down.

Winston Churchill leads a charge against Adolf Hitler’s army in the early days of World War II. DISTRIBUTOR: NBCUNIVERSAL CONTACT: CYNTHIA KLAR

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The Deuce, Season 1

Creators: George Pelecanos, David Simon Cast: James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Carr, Margarita Levieva, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr., Dominique Fishback

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Detroit

Director: Kathryn Bigelow Cast: John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore

he ippin sto of one of the da kest o ents du in the ci i un est that ocked et oit in the su e of DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

The Deuce follows the story of the e a i ation and su se uent ise of the po n indust in e o k s i es ua e f o the ea s th ou h the id s he se ies tit ed afte the oca s an fo e o k s fa ed nd t eet e p o es the ou h and tu e o d at the pionee in o ents of hat ou d eco e the i ion do a e ican se indust DISTRIBUTOR: HBO CONTACT: KALLIOPE DIAKOS

Diana: In Her Own Words W

Director: Tom Jennings For the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, National Geographic p esents the de niti e and inti ate story of Diana, in her own words. With previously unseen footage and archive inte ie s this is the u ti ate iana docu enta of a ti e e p o in the e t ao dina ife and t a ic death of the ost ed and photo aphed o an in the world.

W

The Disaster Artist

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Father Figures

Director: James Franco Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Bryan Cranston, Josh Hutcherson

Director: Lawrence Sher Cast: Ed Helms, Owen Wilson, Ving Rhames, J.K. Simmons, Terry Bradshaw, Glenn Close

he t ue sto of aspi in ake and o ood outside o Wiseau an artist whose passion was as sincere as his ethods e e uestiona e ased on the est se in te a a out the akin of Wiseau s cu t c assic disaste piece The Room.

o othe s hose eccent ic othe aised the to e ie e thei fathe died when they were young, discover this to e a ie o the set out to nd thei ea fathe and ea n o e a out thei othe than the p o a e e anted to kno

DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROS. CONTACT: JEFF CRAWFORD

DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROS. CONTACT: JEFF CRAWFORD

DISTRIBUTOR: FNG NON-THEATRICAL LICENSING, LLC CONTACT: MICHAEL GARRITY

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PHOTOS: © 2017 ANNAPURNA PICTURES; © 2017 HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HBO® AND ALL RELATED PROGRAMS ARE THE PROPERTY OF HOME BOX OFFICE, INC.; COURTESY OF FNG NON-THEATRICAL LICENSING, LLC; © 2017 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2017 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

W

Ferdinand

Director: Carlos Saldanha Cast: Gabriel Iglesias, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, John Cena, David Tennant Little bull Ferdinand prefers sitting quietly unde a t ee ust s e in the flo e s athe than sno tin and uttin heads ith the othe u s s e dinand o s i and st on his te pe a ent e ains e o ut one da e en co e to choose the i est fastest and ou hest u fo the u hts in ad id and e dinand is istaken chosen DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

The Founding of an Army W

Director: Andrew Lau Cast: Liu Ye, Zhu Yawen, Huang Zhizhong, Wang Jingchun, Ou Hao he supp ession of the hinese o unist a t ed to the anchan p isin hich faced attacks f o uo intan fo ces hu e ho fou ht at anhe a and his en oined ao edon fo in the hinese Wo ke s and easants hich ate eca e the eop e s i e ation DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD. CONTACT: GIGI LEE

I

Fun Mom Dinner

Director: Alethea Jones Cast: Toni Collette, Molly Shannon, Katie Aselton, Bridget Everett, Adam Scott, Adam Levine ou o s hose on co on ound is thei kids p eschoo c ass a an e a dinne to dine ossip and ond ithout o in a out thei kids and hus ands fo the ni ht ta tin off athe du the e enin tu ns unfo etta e and these see in diffe ent o en ea i e the ha e o e in co on than othe hood DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

* EXCLUDING CHINA

W

Gintama

Director: Yuichi Fukuda Cast: Shun Oguri, Masaki Suda, Kanna Hashimoto, Masaki Okada, Masami Nagasawa n a ission to nd a cu sed s o d eni aku a that a so s the spi its of peop e and e o es into a onste intoki ea ns it has een sto en u de e kada unde the o de of e sa u ai akasu i intoki ust face akasu i and his c an to et ie e the cu sed s o d and ensu e peace in the count DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD. CONTACT: GIGI LEE

The Greatest Showman W

Director: Michael Gracey Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya

* EXCLUDING JAPAN AND RUSSIA

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The Greatest Showman is a o d and o i ina usica that ce e ates the i th of sho usiness and the sense of onde e fee hen d ea s co e to ife nspi ed the a ition and i a ination of a nu the te s the sto of a isiona ho ose f o nothin to c eate a es e i in spectac e that eca e a o d ide sensation DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

N: NORTH AMERICA

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PHOTOS: © 2017 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD.; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD.; © 2017 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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NON-THEATRICAL SALES

JEFF CRAWFORD jeff.crawford@warnerbros.com

ANGELICA MCCOY angelica.mccoy@warnerbros.com

wbnts.warnerbros.com

© 2017 Warner Bros. Pictures.

All rights reserved.

The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards *

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Guns and Kidneys

Director: Zhang Meng Cast: Wang Qianyuan, Huang Jingyu, Ivy Chen

on d ifts ho e to hide f o de t on to nd c edito s at his doo Wounded he flees into an a andoned indust ia a ea and is escued ao an ppo tunities a ise fo the destitute to n hen a c e scouts the a ea fo in ut then a de o ition p o ect ensues and the c edito s c ose in on thei chase DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

co ection of testi onies to the isconcei ed isca cu ated pu suit of happiness in conte po a e ica he cha acte s of this o d st u e so t a ica to distance the se es f o thei e innin s the nd the se es a on a f o no he e ased on the no e o e t os e DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI * US AND CANADA

* EXCLUDING MAINLAND CHINA

John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Director: Derek Wayne Johnson Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Matthew McConaughey, Sigourney Weaver, Renée Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, Martin Scorsese

Director: Jake Kasdan Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Bobby Cannavale

W

ohn i dsen s s inspi ed i ions of unde do s and shaped popu a cu tu e fo decades et ost peop e don t e en kno his na e isco e the unkno n e end ehind Rocky and The Karate Kid in this of cia io aph a out the p o i c ake DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

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ou teena e s in detention disco e an o d ideo a e the e ne e hea d of and a e i ediate th ust into the a e s un e settin and into the odies of thei a ata s he ha e to o on the ost dan e ous ad entu e of thei i es o the e stuck in the a e fo e e DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES

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Jungle

Director: Greg McLean Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Thomas Kretschmann, Alex Russell, Joel Jackson, Lily Sullivan t ue sto of su i a ased on the est se in e oi a oun an ho chases an i p o a e d ea in the a on ain fo est When he and his fe o ad entu e s eet a da k cha is atic uide and fo o hi into the un e thei d ea t ip tu ns into a ha o in ps cho o ica test of f iendship and fo titude DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON * EXCLUDING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

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PHOTOS: © WANDA MEDIA CO., LTD.; © 2016 ELYSIUM BANDINI STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © CHASSY MEDIA; COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES RELEASING; COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES

Directors: Mark Columbus, Lauren Hoekstra Cast: Rico Rodriguez, Matthew Modine, James Franco, Abigail Spencer

Killing Gunther

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Knock

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Director: Taran Killam Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cobie Smulders, Allison Tolman, Taran Killam

Director: Lorraine Lévy Cast: Omar Sy, Ana Girardot, Sabine Azéma, Pascal Elbé, Audrey Dana

Gunther is the world’s greatest (and most arrogant) hitman. After the assassin community tires of his antics, a group of eccentric killers from across the globe come together to set the perfect trap.

Their master plan turns into a series of embarrassing fails, as Gunther always appears one step ahead.

Knock, a brilliant former hustler turned doctor, moves to a village in the French Alps to take over the practice of a retiring colleague. However, he discovers the invigorating climate keeps the inhabitants in excellent health. Determined to make his fortune, he sets about convincing healthy people they are sick.

DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON

DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE BÉGIN

LBJ

Director: Rob Reiner Cast: Woody Harrelson, Bill Pullman, Jeffrey Donovan, Richard Jenkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh Following the political upheaval that vice-president Lyndon Johnson faced when thrust into the presidency after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he struggles to heal a distraught nation while, against all odds, getting JFK’s historic Civil Rights Act passed through an incredibly divided Congress.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

* EXCLUDING US

A Little Something for Your Birthday W

Director: Susan Walter Cast: Sharon Stone, Tony Goldwyn, Ellen Burstyn, Famke Janssen, Caitlin FitzGerald An aspiring fashion designer struggles to nd success and o e he sto cuts into her life once a year, always on the same date: her birthday.

I

Madame

Director: Amanda Sthers Cast: Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel, Rossy de Palma, Michael Smiley

DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

Anne and Bob prepare a luxurious dinner for their wealthy friends. Needing one o e uest to the ta e nne insists her maid, Maria, disguise herself as a Spanish noblewoman. During dinner, a British art broker is taken with Maria’s unique charm, leading Anne on a mission to destroy this most unexpected love affair.

DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES; COURTESY OF SKEYE; © VOLTAGE PICTURES, LLC; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA

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Maria by Callas

The Man Who Invented Christmas W

Director: Bharat Nalluri Cast: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce

Mike Judge Presents: Tales From the Tour Bus, Season 1 W

Creator: Mike Judge

In 1843, author Charles Dickens sets out to write and self-publish a novel that he hopes will revive his career. He spends the next six weeks bringing Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim to life in A Christmas Carol.

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store W

Director: Ryuichi Hiroki Cast: Toshiyuki Nishida, Ryosuke Yamada, Machiko Ono Three delinquents run into a house that happens to be an old general store where people used to leave letters seeking advice for their troubles. Their entry mysteriously triggers the mailbox to connect the past and the present, and reactivates the mail slot. Are these letters traversing time to reach them?

DISTRIBUTOR: HBO CONTACT: KALLIOPE DIAKOS

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Mother!

Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE BÉGIN

DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

Mike Judge returns to his animated roots with a series on country stars from the 1960s and ‘70s, including Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tammy Wynette and George Jones. The series features live-action performance footage, archival photos and interviews with managers, producers, friends and former bandmates, all brought to life by animated reenactments of their epic accounts.

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A documentary on Maria Callas that features unreleased interviews recorded three years before her death. Beginning in 1974, it follows her career, and the way in which she revolutionized opera, but also her regrets – namely, never having started a family.

N: NORTH AMERICA

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: © 2017 BLEECKER STREET; COURTESY OF SKEYE; © 2017 HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CINEMAX® AND RELATED CHANNELS AND SERVICE MARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF HOME BOX OFFICE, INC.; © 2017 THE MIRACLES OF THE NAMIYA GENERAL STORE; © 2017 PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Director: Tom Volf

The Motive

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Munna Michael

Director: Manuel Martín Cuenca Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, María León, Antonio de la Torre

Director: Sabbir Khan Cast: Tiger Shroff, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nidhhi Agerwal

Separated from his wife, a best-selling author, Alvaro decides to write his own epic novel, except he lacks the talent. eat ction is d a n f o ea it he realizes, so he begins manipulating friends and neighbors to develop a plot. When his tampering gets out of hand, his true story looks set to have a grisly ending.

Munna has been a fan of Michael Jackson since childhood. To make money, he dances on the streets. He meets Dev, who encourages him to participate in a national dance competition on television.

Munna Michael is off to a good start, but with six contenders left, he discovers a secret about the competition.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

DISTRIBUTOR: EROS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LTD. CONTACT: PRASHANT GAONKAR

Murder on the Orient Express W

Director: Kenneth Branagh Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Josh Gad Renowned detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a wealthy American traveling on the most famous t ain in the o d in a ne adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic novel.

DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

* EXCLUDING SPAIN

My Little Pony: The Movie W

Director: Jayson Thiessen Cast: Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Liev Schreiber, Michael Peña, Sia, Zoe Saldana When a dark force threatens Ponyville, the Mane 6 go on a journey to the end of Equestria to save their beloved home. They meet new friends and face dangerous challenges along the way.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

Numero Une (Number One) W

Director: Tonie Marshall Cast: Emmanuelle Devos, Suzanne Clément, Richard Berry, Sami Frey, Benjamin Biolay

Emmanuelle Blachey, a brilliant engineer, has earned a top position at the executive committee of a leading French energy co pan When an influentia o en s network offers to help Emmanuelle become president of a CAC 40 company, obstacles pile up in her professional and personal lives as she risks it all to make it.

DISTRIBUTOR: O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: JACQUELINE BRIENS * EXCLUDING SWITZERLAND

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PHOTOS: © 2017 ICÓNICA PRODUCCIONES S.L., LAZONA FILMS S.L., LA LOMA BLANCA PC S.L., LA ZONA PRODUCCIONES S.L., ALEBRIJE CINE Y VIDEO S.A. DE CV; COURTESY OF EROS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LTD.; © 2017 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2017 LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL

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*

Only the Brave

PHOTOS: © NIKO TAVERNISE/AMAZON STUDIOS; COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES RELEASING; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES RELEASING; COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES

Director: Joseph Kosinski Cast: Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Jennifer Connelly

The Only Boy Living in New York W

Director: Marc Webb Cast: Callum Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Bridges

e aduated f o co e e ho as We is t in to nd his p ace in the o d ut afte disco e in his fathe is ha in an affai ith a oun e o an ho as is dete ined to eak up the e ationship and s eeps ith his fathe s ist ess e thin he kno s a out hi se f and his fa i chan es DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

I

Paddington 2

Director: Paul King Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters addin ton no happi sett ed ith the o n fa i and a popu a e e of the oca co unit picks up a se ies of odd o s to u the pe fect p esent fo his aunt uc s th i thda on fo the ift to e sto en

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Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell A Los Angeles attorney is offered a job at a p esti ious a afte the death of his on ti e pa tne and takes on a case that has ife a te in epe cussions DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES

DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

ased on the t ue sto of the anite ountain otshots a unit of oca e hte s that eco es one of the ost e ite e htin tea s in the nation Whe eas ost of us un f o dan e the un to a d it ean hi e fo in a othe hood that co es into focus ith one fatefu e DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES * BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, CANADA, INDIA, MALDIVES, NEPAL, SRI LANKA AND US

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S.M.A.R.T. Chase

Director: Charles Martin Cast: Orlando Bloom, Lei Wu, Simon Yam, Hannah Quinlivan, Lynn Hung, Jing Liang Washed up secu it a ent t atton is i en the oppo tunit to esco t a a ua e hinese anti ue out of han hai ut hen he is a ushed on his ou ne he ust ht to su i e as a conspi ac e ins to un a e With the safet of the o an he o es in eopa d t atton has to o k ith his tea to sa e he DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON * EXCLUDING US

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Same Kind of Different as Me

Director: Frédéric Quiring Cast: Albert Delpy, Thomas Solivérès, Frédérique Bel, Carmen Maura

Director: Michael Carney Cast: Renée Zellweger, Jon Voight, Djimon Hounsou, Greg Kinnear

e has once a ain flunked edica school. He will have to work the whole summer, as he promised, instead of going on vacation with his friends. His parents have even found him a job as a camp counselor. But this is a very special ”camp,” one without kids – its happy campers are all white-haired pensioners.

International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage, but his wife’s dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.

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DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

DISTRIBUTOR: O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: JACQUELINE BRIENS

The Shape of Water

Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer From master storyteller, Guillermo del Toro, comes The Shape of Water, an otherworldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America, circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of isolation.

Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret c assi ed e pe i ent DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

* EXCLUDING FRANCE, BENELUX AND SWITZERLAND

W

W

Sniff

Director: Amole Gupte Cast: Khushmeet Gill, Surekha Sikri, Manmeet Singh, Sushmita Mukherjee, Suresh Menon Eight-year-old Sunny Gill has always had a blocked nose and, therefore, no sense of smell. But a freak accident leaves him with the ost e ned sense of s e e e en the entire dog squad of the country’s police force cannot sniff what he can.

W

The Snowman

Director: Tomas Alfredson Cast: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Chloë Sevigny

DISTRIBUTOR: EROS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LTD. CONTACT: PRASHANT GAONKAR

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

100 100 experience

| V7 E5 | APEX.AERO

N: NORTH AMERICA

Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman.

DISTRIBUTOR: NBCUNIVERSAL CONTACT: CYNTHIA KLAR

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL; © 2017 PARAMOUNT PICTURES; © 2017 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF EROS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LTD.; © JACK ENGLISH/UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Sales gosses (Old Sitting) W

QUALITY, INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILMS WWW.PENNYBLACKMEDIA.COM

CTROTTA@PENNYBLACKMEDIA.COM

Director: Alessandro D’Alatri Cast: Andrea Arcangeli, Paola Calliari, Matilde Gioli

Star Wars: The Last Jedi W

Director: Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac

W

A Taxi Driver

Director: Jang Hoon Cast: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hai-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol Man-seob is a taxi driver and widower living hand-to-mouth, raising his daughter alone. One day, he hears a foreigner is willing to pay big money for a drive to Gwangju. Not knowing the passenger is an in esti ati e ou na ist an seo nds himself in a city under siege by protestors and the military.

DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD. CONTACT: GIGI LEE

The Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

DISTRIBUTOR: DISNEY STUDIOS NON-THEATRICAL CONTACT: MARTIN SANSING

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri W

Director: Martin McDonagh Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage The story of Mildred Hayes, a woman in her ea fties ho oes to a a ainst he local police force, believing them to be too inept to solve the murder of her daughter.

DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

* EXCLUDING KOREA

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

102 102 experience

| V7 E5 | APEX.AERO

N: NORTH AMERICA

A young Roman has an idea for a social media app but soon discovers there is o e than a nancia p ice to pa in o de to make his dream come true. Based on a true story.

DISTRIBUTOR: SKYLINE CONTACT: RICHARD BARSBY

W

Whatever Happens

Director: Niels Laupert Cast: Sylvia Hoeks, Fahri Yardim, Torben Liebrecht, David Zimmerschied Hannah and Julian have decided to break up – that is, until they have to leave and clear out their apartment. This turning point condenses past decisions, expectations and promises. They understand that important decisions have to be made time and again – and the end sometimes represents a new beginning.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG * EXCLUDING GERMANY, AUSTRIA, LIECHTENSTEIN, LUXEMBURG, ALTO ADIGE AND SWITZERLAND

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: © 2017 & TM LUCASFILM LTD.; COURTESY OF SKYLINE; COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD.; © 2017 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2017 JUMPSEAT FILMPRODUKTION GMBH & CO. KG/VIAFILM GMBH & CO. KG

The Startup (Accendi il tuo futuro) W

PHOTOS: © 2017 LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © MM2 ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD.; © 2017 WOODSHOCK LLC; COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD.

W

Wonder

W

Wonder Boy

*

Woodshock

Director: Stephen Chbosky Cast: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay

Directors: Dick Lee, Daniel Yam Cast: Benjamin Kheng, Julie Tan, Michelle Wong, Zachary Ibrahim

Directors: Kate Mulleavy, Laura Mulleavy Cast: Pilou Asbæk, Kirsten Dunst, Joe Cole

The inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial diffe ences ho ente s fth ade attending a mainstream elementary schoo fo the st ti e ased on the New York Times est se e

Wonder Boy is set in 1970s Singapore, when rock music was banned and longhai ed en e e conside ed an ste s At 16, Richard is an aspiring musician who joins a singing group, the Wonder o s e e a ks on a ou ne th ou h youthful ambition, friendships and st o e a hi e t in to ha e his usic hea d

o the isiona fashion desi ne s ehind oda te this is a out a haunted young woman spiraling into confusion and chaos after she falls under the spe of a potent ea it a te in d u

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI * US ONLY

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

W

Wu Kong

Director: Derek Kwok Cast: Eddie Peng, Shawn Yue, Ni Ni

Shang Sheng Tian Zun decides to murder a ischie ous onke ut odhi ho possesses magical powers, rescues it by transforming it into a human and naming it Wu on ea nin of Wu on s growing mystical powers, Shang feels her position may come under threat, so she sends ian en to i p ison hi DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT LTD. CONTACT: GIGI LEE * EXCLUDING CHINA

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

N: NORTH AMERICA

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

APEX.AERO | V7 E5 |

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103

DIGITAL POTD

#APEXPOTD Want to land your photos in print or in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter? Share your aviation snapshots on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #APEXPOTD for a chance to be featured.

Get your daily dose of planespotter pictures and top PaxEx headlines: APEX.AERO/NEWSLETTER

@photoaleksi Somewhere under the rainbow.

@pilotindave Good ole fashioned levers and dials.

@lazydaycool Spotting summer’s end-of-season departures from a Greek island.

@davidnalbo Ain’t no mountain high enough.

@den_aviation Two Boeing 737s taking off in parallel on a beautiful San Francisco evening.

@benjaminvolot An ocean view.

Instagram @theapexassoc

@golf.mike71 Time to reflect.

@86tones The AvGeek burger spot of choice.

@wandrme Landing in New York City at JFK Airport.

Twitter @theapexassoc

APEX.AERO | V7 E5 |

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105

THROWBACK

Turning Time Clickety-clack, the split-flap display came back.

BY CAROLINE KU

106

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when Solari supplied the original boards,” says Joseph DeCarlo, general manager at Solari Corp. in Long Island City, New York. it fla dis a s at air orts were nown for their unmistakable clickety-clack – a sound made by hundreds of metal (later, astic fla s c c ing to their destined etter or n m er. he so nd was s ch a art of them; it is so e ocati e of that eriod, sa s Alex Herrera, director of Technical Services at the New York Landmarks Conservancy, which is consulting on the restoration.

The electromechanical technology was first introd ced to fli c oc s in the 9 s

by Italy-based Solari, and later brought into railway stations and airports. The signs worked well in mass transit hubs, because they could be spotted from a distance and the white-on-black lettering made them easy to read under different light conditions. However, they were unable to keep up with the growing complexity of the airline industry, including the rise of code sharing. Add to that the delivery time of si screened fla s for new ro tes, which could take as long as nine months.

Gradually, the displays were replaced with silently rotating LED screens, making Solari displays a rare sight at airports today.

And although the TWA Flight Center has been deemed a historical landmark, Herrera sa s recreating the s it fla dis a was not required. It was TWA Hotel, the proprietors of the space, that wanted to resurrect Saarinen’s vision in the hotel, s ated to o en in 9. In terms of its appearance and sound, it will be a great addition to the restoration of the interior,” says Herrera, who has walked through the em t termina man times. If o were the passenger, it was where you were oo ing to see where o r flight was de arting from, he sa s. It was designed as a focal point.”

PHOTO: SOLARI DESIGN

Among the projects planned for the transformation of the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport into a hote is the recreation of the s it fla display that once hung over the terminal’s reception desk. Between 1962 and 2001, when the terminal was operational, travelers would look up at the alien-like structure designed by architect Eero Saarinen for their flight arri a and de art re times. It will be constructed as it was back in 1962,

The TWA Flight Center’s Solari display will have 440 flap modules, each with 40 alphanumeric flaps. It will show arrival and departure times from airlines that operated in the 1960s, including Pan Am, Trans World Airlines and Eastern Air Lines.

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