airline passenger
december 2014 - january 2015
FLIGHT FACILITIES | PDX #AIRPORTCARPET | SKYMALL FAN CLUB AIRPLANE FURNITURE | UNLOADING LANDSIDE | PED SAFETY
official publication of the airline passenger experience association
GLOBAL EAGL E ENTERT AINMENT
TRANSFORM YOUR PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE
Redefining the passenger experience to bring value to your inflight content, connectivity and digital media solutions. Visit our new website to find out more: www.geemedia.com
CONTENT
CONNECTIVITY
DIGITAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS
AMSTERDAM BEIJING CHICAGO DUBAI HONG KONG JOHANNESBURG LONDON LOS ANGELES MANCHESTER MONTREAL MUMBAI SANTIAGO SINGAPORE TOKYO
Time Flies When You’re ConneCTed. From wireless IFE and crew mobile devices powered by Samsung, to dynamic LED lighting and an in-seat power system that provides a lighter, lower cost power solution at every seat, IntelliCabin enables a fully connected cabin that will enhance the passenger experience while reducing crew workload. ™
Learn more at: www.baesystems.com/intellicabin
Contents
apex experience
The Architecture Issue
Visit us at apex.aero
december 2014 january 2015
How do elements of design, engineering and fabrication come together to create the very structured environments we find within aircraft and airports? In this issue we examine how innovative designers and engineers are deconstructing the rules to create new forms of building and art.
> Features
How has the proliferation of small and personal electronic devices on board affected the stringent safety protocols and testing procedures for aircraft entertainment systems? Cameron Watt
73 Cult Carpet As Portland Airport begins a massive carpet replacement project, we examine how the PDX carpet became one of the most famous wefts in aviation with a loyal following of fans. Howard Slutsken
56
Jordan Yerman
Vice-President Customer Experience, Air Transport and Regional, Honeywell Aerospace
62 Brian Richardson Director of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity, American Airlines
Notional Baggage The future of the check-in and bag drop lobby comes under scrutiny as advanced luggage tagging and tracking technologies come into play. Is the landside lobby destined to become an architectural relic?
54 Kristin Guthrie
82 A Plane / A Part Decommissioned aircraft are given a second life by designers like MotoArt and Fallen Furniture, who upcycle plane parts into luxury furnishings. Maryann Simson
70 Dr. Ehtisham Siddiqui Vice-President and General Manager of Commercial Aircraft Solutions, BAE Systems
80 Boris Veksler President and CEO, Betria Interactive, LLC 8
december 2014 - january 2015
Airline Passenger Experience Association
ilustrations: ricardo polo; Oscar chรกvez.
Blunt Force Drama
photos: port of portland; fallen furniture; Honeywell Aerospace; BAE Systems.
48
> IN Profile
Contents
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
Comfort & Ambience Entertainment & Connectivity Catering & Services
december 2014 january 2015
> Industry
Genevieve Weynerowski
Airports occasionally make film cameos... but most of the time they’re playing fake. Katie Sehl
24 Fending for Fuel
34 Listen Up
Airlines can save big by adopting fuel conservation strategies.
Tune in with Panasonic’s HD-AUDIO digital headphones.
Luke Jensen and Brian Yutko
Jordan Yerman
36 Reading Rights What does the future hold for the esteemed in-flight magazine? jasmin Legatos
26 Airside Art Art in airports serves for both wayfinding and stress relief. Shannon Tien
38 Advanced Antennae We examine breakthroughs in satellite connectivity. Howard Slutsken
28 The Full Flush Improved lavatories is a top priority for female passengers. Katie Sehl
40 No Shabby Galley Innovative galley designs are saving airlines space and weight. Jenn Wint
31 Sustainable Airports Green spaces aren’t just changing the airport landscape, they’re feeding passengers, too. Marisa Garcia
18 > APEX
12 President’s Letter 13 Board News
> Standbys
14 Editor’s Letter 16 Featured Contributors
18 APEX in Action
34 Tear-Out Poster: Flight Facilities
96 - 99
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APEX News
Roundtable: Designing the Future
100
We assembled a panel of experts to discuss how the airline industry is “futureproofing” aircraft and terminals.
IFSA News
> Listings
102 Movie Listings 121 Advertisers’ Index
Jenn Wint
89 Travelogue: SkyMall Was There Our publisher recounts how this infamous in-flight catalog has provided a certain structure throughout his career. Al St. Germain
43 Smooth Operators
122
New screening concepts address lengthy security wait times.
Throwback: All Decked Out
Samantha Shankman
44 Collectible Kitsch Airlines drive brand loyalty with limited-edition souvenirs.
The beloved outdoor observation deck is making a comeback with renewed popularity among passengers.
Nadja Sayej 10
december 2014 - january 2015
Airline Passenger Experience Association
illustrations: marcelo cáceres; julie carles.
Wearable technologies are trialled by crews and consumers.
32 Cinematic Stand Ins
photos: Changi airport group; Ellen Steiner; Josh Tam.
23 Wear Your Smart on Your Sleeve
The world’s most widely deployed wireless IFE service
YES, I’M SERIOUS Runtime: 1:47
PG-13
Sean and Louise are co-workers at a novelty shop where they spend their days joking and flirting. They're perfect for each other, except that they're both in relationships. Sean is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend and Louise ... MORE
Gogo Vision delivers movies & TV shows straight to flyers’ devices. From wide body aircraft to regional jets, from localized content to the latest titles – we’ll work with you to create a customized solution for your airline. And since Gogo Vision is installed on over 1,500 aircraft - more than any other wireless IFE system - you know you’re in experienced hands. Visit gogoair.com/airline to find out why Gogo Vision is the right fit for your fleet. ©2014 Gogo LLC. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
President’s Letter
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
Dear Fellow APEX Members, It has been a fantastic 2014 for APEX, and I’ve truly enjoyed meeting and speaking with so many of you about APEX over the past year. These conversations always remind me that APEX is an organization unlike any other, providing unique value to our industry, our companies and each of us as individual professionals. APEX is special because we’re more than loosely connected industry members. We’re a community of true colleagues. We know each other by name, and as we recently saw at EXPO and at our excellent educational program in Hong Kong, we relish opportunities to reconnect as friends and to get business done. We share a deep passion for this industry and for each other, and because of that, we – APEX members – are the ones who drive our industry and our organization forward. In that spirit, APEX this year launched a promotional campaign to remind our industry stakeholders exactly what happens when our members get together: We collaborate;
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december 2014 - january 2015
“APEX is special because we’re more than loosely connected industry members. We’re a community of true colleagues.” we innovate; we consistently raise the bar for the passenger experience. And we love doing it. Overseen by the Marketing & Communications Committee, the promotional campaign is a sweeping initiative comprising new messaging, increased visibility of individual members and a compelling advertising campaign underscoring our new slogan, “Connect Learn & Create Together.” It’s a comprehensive initiative that is touching many elements of the APEX value proposition. Take this magazine, for example. After re-launching this summer, it now includes more coverage of the APEX community itself – in the form of event photos, member profiles and Q&As. And additional improvements are in progress, as we work toward rolling out a new website that serves not only as a community gathering place but also an overall industry hub for the entire airline passenger experience industry.
To those who have helped us launch our promotional campaign – either by participating in our advertising images or by providing other direction and support – thank you. And thanks to all of our members who proudly represent APEX in every sector of the industry on a daily basis. APEX truly is unique, growing, diverse and empowered to provide more value for all of us. As always, feel free to reach out to me or any other Board member with feedback. Our contact information can be found at apex.aero. All the best,
> Alfy Veretto apex president Virgin America
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
Board News
apex experience
Meet the Board The APEX Board of Directors uses this space to inform members about ongoing Board work and decisions. In addition to APEX association information in the magazine, the Board sends e-mails after each Board meeting to update the membership and to be as transparent as possible. Board information is also shared in APEXnews Daily SmartBrief and direct e-mails to the membership.
APEX committees have finalized plans and budgets for 2015 and will be working toward objectives throughout the year. A few highlights include a new website design for the association, continued passenger insight surveys and image campaign ads (Marketing & Communications Committee); obtaining high-level speakers from member companies and outside the industry (Education Committee); revamp of the Passenger Choice Awards program (Awards Task Force); working toward establishing industry best practices (Technology Committee); continued membership growth (Membership Committee); expanding the MultiMedia Market to further include movies, games, GUIs and apps; and continuing to grow EXPO into an event more representative of our industry (Events & EXPO Committee). Committees and members are listed on page 98 and apex.aero. We are excited to announce that the popular PME (Post Modern Group) Interview has been rebranded as the APEX Interview and will fall under the association’s umbrella of media offerings. We look forward to working with Steve Harvey on this promising collaboration.
> Alfy Veretto president Virgin America
> Joan Filippini treasurer Paramount Pictures
> Brian Richardson vice president
> Dominic Green secretary
American Airlines
Thales Avionics
> Patrick Brannelly immediate past president
> Kevin Bremer
Emirates
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The APEX schedule of 2015 events has been finalized and can be viewed on page 96.
> Michael Childers
photos: Mehran torgoley
Lufthansa Systems
> Mary Rogozinski Gogo
Airline Passenger Experience Association
> Éric Lauzon Air Canada
> Luay Qunash Royal Jordanian Airlines
> Ingo Wuggetzer Airbus
december 2014 - january 2015
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Editor’s Letter
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
From the Ground Up “We’re all victims of the architect. Architecture is the only art that you can’t help but feel. You can avoid paintings, you can avoid music and you can even avoid history. But good luck getting away from architecture.” - Phillippe Daverio
Who hasn’t wondered how architects future-proof their airports, how designers determine intuitive navigation patterns, or how artists manipulate our emotions with their work? While we often think about the architecture above our heads, when did you last consider the structure below your seat? It is hardly less complicated than a typical house, and is likely held to more rigorous standards when it comes to safety. Our fellow members are the architects of the passenger experience, and this month’s issue takes an in-depth look at how they are working to create unique experiences under
> Al St. Germain publisher
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december 2014 - january 2015
very particular restraints. Just as a traditional architect considers the site, budget and preferences of the client, our members must consider the restrictions of the cabin and airport environment against the need to control costs and to satisfy increasingly demanding passengers. The foundational principles of architecture – durability, utility and beauty – all circle back to our one shared goal: building a legacy. As we continue to build the APEX Experience media platform, we invite you to provide feedback on how our designs are coming along: Test the foundation of the magazine you’re holding, kick the tires at the ever-lively APEX Association Twitter feed (@theAPEXassoc) and scale the walls at blog.apex.aero. Just watch out for wet paint along the way, and if you see any loose nails that need hammering, drop us a line at editor@apex.aero Signing off, Terri and Al
illustration: gianmarco magnani
Believe it or not, our humble APEX Experience publisher was an architecture major in college. While Al’s dreams of creating the next great airport terminal did not quite come to fruition, the careful design of spaces, places and things is a subject that remains near and dear to his heart. And judging by the conversations we have with our readers, it’s near and dear to your hearts as well.
> Terri Potratz editor
Airline Passenger Experience Association
PANASONIC AVIONICS DELIVERS GREAT AUDIO
Driving a revolution in in-flight audio . When it comes to in-flight audio, it's clear there's room for improvement. At Soundchip we're changing this. Drawing upon our consumer electronics expertise and development-level relationships with leading IFEC equipment and headphone suppliers, we're driving a revolution in in-flight audio - enabling airlines to offer the same sonic thrills in the air as passengers are used to on the ground.
In 2011, Soundchip and Panasonic Avionics Corporation joined forces to modernize the in-flight audio experience. Our mission was to rethink all aspects of a passenger aircraft's audio delivery system, from the formatting of media through to the headphone itself. Two years on and our work is complete, the outcomes of which are nothing short of game changing. Contact us today for more information: hd-audio@soundchip.ch
AUDIO TECHNOLOGY \ IN-FLIGHT AUDIO DESIGN \ HEADPHONE ENGINEERING \ HEADPHONE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Contributors
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
Featured
Read Howard’s work on page > 73
See Gianmarco’s work on the cover.
Howard Slutsken is a pilot who loves to fly gliders and just about anything else with wings, and he’s a frequent contributor to aviation publications. His favorite part of the terminal is the spot that gives him a view of the ramp and runways so he can watch the planes and airside operations. And, the carpet: Since writing the PDX carpet story, he always checks out the designs on the carpet.
Gianmarco Magnani is an illustrator and creator of the 100 Prints project, as well as the rock band Sixty Watts. He carries a notebook with him on all of his travels so that he can draw anywhere at any time, and his favorite architectural element in an airport is the wavy wooden ceiling design in Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport.
december 2014 january 2015
APEX Experience Magazine 1507 West Yale Avenue Orange, CA 92867 +1 714 363 4900 Cover illustration by gianmarco magnani
> Publisher Al St. Germain astgermain@spafax.com
PRODUCTION > Production Director Joelle Irvine
EDITORIAL
> Acting Production Director Maureen Veilly
> Editor Terri Potratz tpotratz@spafax.com
> Production Manager Andréanne Lafond
> Copy Editor Katie Sehl ksehl@spafax.com
> Assistant Copy Editors Diane Carlson Ann Ward
> Community Manager Jessica Sammut jsammut@spafax.com
> Fact Checkers Leah Esau Tara Dupuis Daniel Viola
> Research Assistant Ella Ponomarov
Read Genevieve’s work on page > 23
See Francisco’s work on page > 89
Genevieve Weynerowski has traveled to many places around the globe, and still harbors the dream of miraculously becoming fluent in the language of whatever country she’s visiting. She’s recently traded her carry-on books for an iPad, and is always impressed by the large-scale public art in international airports that is meant to convey the region’s identity, however idealized.
Francisco Olea is a full-time graphic designer and illustrator. He draws all day: It’s his way of talking. Francisco often forgets essentials like socks or a toothbrush while packing – on one occasion he even forgot his passport! His favorite architectural aspect of the airport terminal is to treat it like a game, going through different levels and doors until you finally arrive at your airplane seat.
> Contributors Marisa Garcia, Luke Jensen, Jasmin Legatos, Nadja Sayej, Samantha Shankman, Maryann Simson, Howard Slutsken, Shannon Tien, Cameron Watt, Genevieve Weynerowski, Jenn Wint, Jordan Yerman, Brian Yutko ART > Art Director Nicolas Venturelli nventurelli@spafax.com > Graphic Designer Eva Dorsch > Contributors Marcelo Cáceres, Julie Carles, Oscar Chávez, Gianmarco Magnani, Francisco Olea, Ricardo Polo, Clara Prieto
> Proofreaders Katie Moore Robert Ronald ADVERTISING > Sales Director Steve O’connor soconnor@spafax.com +44 207 906 2077 > Ad Production Manager Mary Shaw mshaw@spafax.com > Ad Production Coordinator Anne Marie Nguyen SPAFAX CONTENT MARKETING > President Raymond Girard > Senior Vice-President, Content Strategy Arjun Basu
content on the go
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december 2014 - january 2015
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Social
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
APEX in Action Following a successful 2013 Asia Regional Conference, we returned with two full days of education in Hong Kong for APEX Asia 2014.
A full lineup of speakers discussed topics ranging from regional and localized passenger experience trends to the latest in-flight connectivity advancements.
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Gogo’s Mary Rogozinski, manager of Content Partnerships, kicked off Day One with an introduction to the development of local industry within the Asian region and introduced keynote Toby Smith, general manager of Product for Cathay Pacific, who discussed the challenges of delivering a world-class passenger experience. Sessions that followed examined the trends and challenges unique to various Asian audiences, an engaging talk on designing for flexibility by James Lee, director of Paperclip Design, and a string of sessions that delved into various connectivity issues pertaining to the Asian market. Delegates attended a networking event at the Sky Terrace atop Victoria’s Peak where they enjoyed iconic views of Hong Kong and sampled local food and beverage. Day Two brought attendees’ attention to findings from the APEX Passenger Insights Survey, delivered by Panasonic’s manager of Integrated Marketing, Matthias Walther, until the sessions turned once again to connectivity issues as we examined Wi-Fi streaming developments and explored the concepts around a connected aircraft.
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december 2014 - january 2015
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: Josh Tam
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Social
apex experience
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
Read coverage of the entire event online at > apex.aero/APEXASIA
1. Keynote speaker Toby Smith, Cathay Pacific 2. Bill Peltola, Inmarsat 3. Eddie Hsieh, Panasonic; Terry Revnak, Gogo; Jags Burhm, Global Eagle Entertainment 4. James S.H. Lee, Paperclip Design 5. Katrina Korzenowski, SITA 6. Pravin Jumabhoy, Images in Motion
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7. Sami El Hadery, Tune Box 8. Regal Ballroom, Regal Hong Kong Hotel 9. Matthias Walther, Panasonic 10. Steven Alkins, Renjith Jagadeesan, Sylvia Lee and Jerry Thomas from Rockwell Collins 11. Dinner at the Sky Terrace atop the iconic Victoria’s Peak
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12. Michelle Maio, Flame Distribution; David Withers, digEcor; Michael Reilly, Arconics; Mary Rogozinski, Gogo
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13. Galih Wisnutomo, Garuda Indonesia; David Skwarek and Stephan Roth, Gogo 14. Eric Chan, Edwin Cheung, Tommy Ko, Jovita Toh and Jackie Sayno from Encore Inflight
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Do you have social photos that are fit to print? E-mail submissions to 13
Airline Passenger Experience Association
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> editor@apex.aero
december 2014 - january 2015
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Follow us @theAPEXassoc
apex experience
Welcome
This Issue
photo: ALAMY
All Aces at CES
Follow our coverage of 2015 CES trends at
> apex.aero/ces
Airline Passenger Experience Association
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada that features the latest in electronics and technology products, setting the trends within the retail market for the coming year and beyond. 2014 broke records as the largest show to date with 3,200 exhibitors spanning across two million square feet of exhibit space, where products like curved and flexible HD TVs, HD audio, 3-D printers, driverless cars and next-gen smartphones debuted to technology industry insiders. This year’s event takes place 6-9 January, 2015. december 2014 - january 2015
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www.eleathergroup.com
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apex experience
Wear Your Smart on Your Sleeve In an enthusiastic embrace of wearable technologies, American Airlines hosted a wearable application development “hackathon” in July 2014. They also launched an official app on the Apple Watch which includes digital boarding, check-in and baggage features. by Genevieve Weynerowski
Booking flights with the blink of an eye. Checking flight schedules on a smartwatch. Connecting with ground and flight crews through a shared application designed to make the passenger’s journey smoother and the minutiae of the crews’ jobs lighter and more efficient. While consumers are merging with their personal technology, blurring the line
between their thoughts, actions and devices, the airline industry is looking for ways to create better passenger experiences with some of the most futuristic technology on the market. A recent SITA survey indicates that a large majority of passengers across the age spectrum welcome the use of wearable technology by airline or airport staff. Says SITA
Comfort
Track our stories on wearable tech > APEX.AERO/WEARABLES
spokesman Charlie Pryor of a smartwatch and Google Glass trial by Virgin Atlantic, “The airline customer agents found that they could offer better service – without having to step behind a desk and look at a computer or carry reams of papers to reference.” According to Justin Dye, senior manager of Marketing and Product Management at Honeywell Aerospace, Honeywell is leveraging their existing cabin management system, Ovation Select, for use with Google Glass, and have seen a “10 percent reduction in time required for pre-flight activities” on the part of their crews. Welcome to a brave new world where smart devices are just the tip – or at the fingertips, rather – of the wearable technology iceberg.
photos: nymi
> How will technologies such as Google Glass, smartwatches and intuitive fabrics redefine the passenger experience? While many airlines are investigating how wearables can enable their cabin crew and lounge staff to better serve their customers, there are some wearables not yet on the market that could offer a distinct difference in the comfort and ease with which passengers travel.
The Nymi bracelet monitors electrocardiogram (ECG) activity – not the heartbeat exactly, but the unique electrical pattern that your heart generates – to identify the wearer. A person’s ECG is being touted as the “new fingerprint,” and it’s actually even safer than other biometrics as it can’t be replicated like a fingerprint or an iris pattern can. These bracelets continually monitor the wearer to confirm that you are indeed you. Secure identification of this kind has the ability to open doors – literally. A biometric bracelet could connect to your devices and automatically enable them for you (goodbye, passwords!), unlock your car or home door
Airline Passenger Experience Association
(no more keys!) or allow you to buy your morning coffee more effortlessly than existing NFC payment technologies allow. The Nymi could connect to smart appliances or digital applications and instantly load up your personal content. Biometric identification could have huge implications in the airline industry for streamlined security screening and personalized service. Imagine settling in for your flight and, being the frequent flyer that you are, your ideal ambient temperature is automatically set, food and beverage ordered and a selection of your current entertainment favorites offered up on the seatback screen. Nothing beats that.
december 2014 - january 2015
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Comfort
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
Fending for Fuel Airlines have a variety of options to reduce fuel consumption in their fleets, many of which involve managing takeoff weight: This could be implemented by restricting bathroom use or even eliminating a single olive from your salad. We’ve examined some alternative options that could reduce fuel costs without sacrificing on passenger comforts.
$ value indicates the total yearly cost reduction if every (US) flight made this change.
1 Cruise Speed Optimization About 56% of total domestic flight time is spent in cruise, although most commercial airplanes do not normally operate at a speed that maximizes fuel efficiency. By speeding up or slowing down to an optimal speed for the flight’s load factor, total fuel consumption would be lower on each flight.
by Luke Jensen and Brian Yutko | Illustration Clara Prieto
$287 million Economics of Fuel Costs for US Airlines in 2013 Percentage of total costs attributed to fuel:
34% Total fuel cost (scheduled services):
$40.5 billion
Total fuel consumption (scheduled services):
4
13.2 billion gallons
3
Average amount of fuel used per flight:
2,790 gallons = $8,565*
250 Gal /$766
(*) Price per gallon: $3.07
Total number of flights operated by US airlines:
(*)Average fuel reduction per flight
4.7 million Total number of airplanes operated by US airlines in 2013: 3,434 Average number of flights per day by each airplane operated by US airlines: 3.77 Average flight distance: 1,201 statute miles
In the United States, airlines are required to report a wide variety of operating metrics, financial results and other data points that help describe the current state of the industry. All data presented here is for US airlines only, as similar data is unavailable for most international carriers.
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december 2014 - january 2015
28 Gal/$85
2 1
23 Gal/$70
20 Gal/$61*
3 Route Optimization Due to system congestion, airport layouts, terrain and other factors, airplanes cannot fly direct paths. Average “distance inefficiency” is around 9%. Aircraft flying extra air miles at low altitudes waste more fuel than those at high altitudes. Assuming that air traffic control technology and procedures improve to the point where every airplane can fly a perfectly direct route, these cost savings could be established:
$3.6 billion
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Comfort
apex experience
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
Read the full report online at > apex.aero/fuel
2 Cruise Altitude Optimization When not flying at optimal altitudes, aircraft experience higher than necessary fuel burn rates. If every flight operated at optimal altitudes during the cruise phase of flight, airlines could achieve reduced consumption.
ALT
$330 million
4 Engine Washing As an airplane burns fuel over many hours of operation, a fine layer of soot residue builds up on parts of the jet’s aerodynamic engine. By regularly washing the soot layer off of engine components, airlines can save fuel on every flight.
$401 million
5 Single-Engine Taxi Jet engines are designed for efficient power generation at high speeds and altitudes, but are far less efficient for ground operations. A single engine produces ample thrust to move an aircraft on the ground. Airlines could reduce fuel consumption on airport surfaces by operating with one engine shut down.
$645 million
6 Assisted Taxi
5 45 Gal/$137
Aircraft could be moved from the gate to the runway using an alternative means of propulsion, either internal or external to the aircraft. A tug could be used to tow an aircraft to the runway, or an electric motor could be attached to the wheels to power the airplane to the runway without the external tug.
6 90 Gal/$270
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11 Gal/$34
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$1.3 billion
155 Gal/$475
8 Airplane Winglets During normal operations it is possible for the air on the top and bottom of the wing to combine near the wingtip, resulting in increased drag. One way to mitigate this effect is to make very long wings, but this would reduce the amount of airplanes that can fit in an airport at the same time. Most modern aircraft are offered with an option to put small vertical wings, or “winglets,” on the tips of each wing to improve
Airline Passenger Experience Association
aerodynamic drag by reducing the flow of air around the end of the wingtip. Winglets themselves can weigh several hundred pounds, so the benefits of reduced drag need to exceed the weight penalty in order to see a net improvement in fuel consumption.
$2.2 billion
7 Ground Power Use When the main engines are shut down, pilots can turn on their miniature engine, the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to provide electrical power while the aircraft is at the gate. The APU also powers the systems that are used, in turn, to start the main engine. The APU runs on jet fuel, so an alternative is to use external ground power to run onboard systems until it is time to start the engines.
$157 million
december 2014 - january 2015
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Ambience
apex experience
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
Kinetic Rain moving sculpture at Changi Airport
Airside Art
Watch the Kinetic Rain video at
What is a picture in an airport really worth? Beyond its own intrinsic value, art in airports helps travelers pass the time and doubles as a point of reference for wayfinding. by Shannon Tien
One of the ways airport administrators are opting to improve passenger experience is by strategically integrating art throughout airport space. Art in an airport setting can calm passengers, decrease the perception of wait times, aid in wayfinding and introduce new visitors to a city, ultimately increasing the amount of time and money passengers want to spend at the airport. At Atlanta International Airport, thousands of Swarovski crystals provide an inviting glow for passengers in the security transition area.
The Oslo Airport features Human in Motion, six “sound shower” installations located in the departure areas that make refreshing sounds when a passenger steps underneath them.
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At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a large display case of local art sits outside the restrooms in Terminal 2, preoccupying visitors while they wait for their travel companions. SFO, which has undergone extensive renovations in the last 14 years, allocates two percent of its budget for the construction of art projects, making it one of the most “artful” airports in North America. Nupur Sinha, an aviation practice associate at Gensler who is currently working on SFO’s renovations, says that before the 2000s airports approached
This House Will Not Pass for Any Color but its Own, a glass house near the security area at Sacramento Airport, is meant to relieve traveler stress while prompting them to contemplate the provisional nature of home.
Space Observer in Mineta San José Airport’s Terminal B prompts passengers to think about the interactivity between humans and technology, while representing San José’s location in Silicon’s tech sector.
art “as a way to eliminate the problem of weird space,” but now, especially at SFO, art is an enjoyable experience that engages the passenger’s mind. And it seems to be working. Sinha claims that after comparing social media engagement between different terminals at SFO, it was found that more positive tweets and Instagram pictures were sent from passengers using the newer terminals that featured more art. Another study reported an increase of spending by $5 per person in Terminal 2, the first terminal to implement strategic art. “People are actually booking certain airlines because they want to go through certain terminals,” says Sinha. She predicts that many North American airports will soon follow suit.
In the International Arrivals area at Vancouver Airport, the 16-foot red cedar Flight Spindle Whorl provides a traditional Musqueam welcome to travelers while also serving as a landmark point.
See the gallery online at > APEX.AERO/art
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: Brian Jeffery Beggerly; Timo Arnall; Sacramento airport; Wonderlane; Vancouver airport
> APEX.AERO/KINETIC
Wow! I look good.
ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONS AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Entertainment & Seat Technologies
Ambience
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
The Full Flush
Read Chris Pirie’s full interview at > APEX.AERO/LAV
Showing aircraft lavatories a little more love can go a long way to improve the passenger experience and increase brand equity. by Katie Sehl
We all tend to get a little squeamish when we talk about toilets, which may be why the aircraft lavatory is one of the least documented devices in aviation. But, as Kate Thornton, British Airways’ head of Product and Service, noted at FTE Global 2014, the industry tends to get carried away with tech upgrades and in-flight connectivity, yet passengers still have basic needs, and one of the most effective things an airline can do is address those needs. As one of the costliest areas on an aircraft, lavatories are often denied design flourishes in favor of barebones functionality, but premium-cabin
restrooms have been increasingly moving toward a marriage of both flourish and function over the past few years. The trend is now moving into economy lavatories as well. As Chris Pirie, Teague’s business development director, notes, “There’s a lot of potential for that space, airlines are definitely interested in capitalizing on that.” Indeed, aircraft lavatories have come a long way since the old days of “whistling shithouses,” or leaky Anotecfilled toilets that would rain “blue ice” balls of human refuse from the sky. Technical strides made by the vacuum
toilet and other reconfigurations have reduced lavatory weight significantly, but passengers are noticing the architectural disparities between LED-lit, arch-framed cabins and the unloved, sterile bathroom environments. Airlines are taking note. “Airlines are beginning to consider every brand touch point, in every class … There’s a lot of potential in economy class for airlines to further differentiate and build brand equity,” Pirie explains. Lavatories are a crucial touchpoint in the end-to-end experience: “Everyone uses it, but very few enjoy it,” he adds.
Blowing Smoke: Why do lavatories still have ashtrays? The presence of ashtrays in lavatories has caused more than a few travelers to speculate that the lavatory and its fixtures haven’t been updated since the late 1980s ban on smoking in aircraft. But in fact, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that airlines equip every lavatory with at least one ashtray. The reason? Rule-breaking smokers who, without ashtrays, may be inclined to put their butts out in the waste bins or other potentially flammable places.
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British Airways has added new fresheners and Singapore Airlines flights are stocked with toiletries from the French perfumery L’Occitane. On its Boeing 787s, All Nippon Airways offers Washlet, a combination toilet and bidet made by Japanese company TOTO. Virgin America offers a customized soundtrack, and Air New Zealand brightens the space up with windows. With attention to design and ambience details like these, the experience in the aircraft crapper is shaping up to be a lot less crappy.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: All Nippon Airways; L’Occitane
In the 2014 APEX Passenger Insights survey, lavatories were called-out by female travelers as the number-one area for in-flight improvement.
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Sustainable Airports
Ambience
See the green gallery at > APEX.AERO/GARDEN
Green spaces are becoming an integral part of the airport environment, but these lush landscapes are not just a feast for the eyes – vertical farms are feeding passengers, too.
photos: Changi Airport Group; kkfea; Ellen Steiner
by Marisa Garcia
The aeroponic vertical gardens at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport’s Terminal 3 are a tasty treat, providing passengers with a quiet green space to relax in between flights, and delivering fresh produce to the airport’s restaurants. But it’s not the only green-thumb initiative to take root within the world’s airports. Some ambitious endeavors – veritable Gardens of Eden – represent airport commitments to being environmentally friendly transport hubs, while also benefiting both passengers and airport retailers. In Singapore, Changi Airport’s serene Green Wall in Terminal 3 hosts more than 10,000 tropical plants covering a five-storey-high vertical garden. The airport also boasts a cactus garden in Terminal 1, and both an orchid and a sunflower garden in Terminal 2. Changi even features a “first of its kind” butterfly garden and koi pond. And the award-winning airport will continue to put its green thumb to good use with its 1.4 million-square-foot expansion, which will feature a biodome containing an indoor garden, complete with a cascading waterfall. The plans for the new Mexico City Airport feature a massive circular outdoor garden, which will form an integral part of the future airport’s iconic design. All this green will benefit travelers and the local community. As the airport states: “The inhabitants of Valle de México will benefit from more green spaces [and] clean water … It will be a green airport, environmentally friendly, which will also give us the opportunity to resolve issues which have affected thousands of families in the area for many generations.” The two-storey Living Wall at Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, Canada, is a favorite spot for passengers and locals, according to spokesperson Heather Hamilton. “The Living Wall is situated where people can enjoy the restful area and the airport concessions,” Hamilton says. “Concerts by local musicians are highly popular and help enhance the restful spot. It reflects our value for the environment and is a community-friendly place. We’ve had many showcase events at Edmonton’s Living Wall – a couple even asked to be married there.” Airline Passenger Experience Association
[TOP] Changi Airport has a number of gardens throughout, including this five-storey Green Wall. [RIGHT] Chicago’s O’Hare boasts the first vertical airport farm. [BELOW] Edmonton International’s Living Wall is a lush backdrop.
december 2014 - january 2015
31
Entertainment
apex experience
Cinematic Stand Ins
Visit us at apex.aero
See an expanded list of airport stand-ins at > apex.aero/standin
In her book, The Little Silkworm, Christy Hall describes the transient nature of airport architecture: “Airport bars are more like film sets, the bathrooms reminiscent of dormitories. Everyone is waiting to go somewhere, suspended in nowhere.” by Katie Sehl
Though verging on the poetical, Hall gets it pretty right. There are some airports that are resolutely somewhere (think: Vegas’ slot-machine lined McCarran Airport) and others are downright destinations in and of themselves (Munich, Schiphol, San Francisco), but there’s always some aspect of an airport’s architecture that epitomizes anonymity, looking and feeling simultaneously like everywhere and nowhere. This may be why, when Hollywood comes a-knocking, any airport may be fit to audition for the role of “the airport.” Many of our favorite airport film scenes involve a duping of sorts, with one airport standing-in convincingly for another. That scene from Casablanca? Not Casablanca, but 32
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Van Nuys Airport in California. In Catch Me If You Can, Frank (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) waltzes around what’s supposed to be Miami International Airport (MIA), but is actually Ontario International Airport (ONT), also in California. ONT has snagged several roles, playing MIA again in Blow, LAX in Saving Mr. Banks, LAS in Miss Congeniality 2, and lands the role-of-a-lifetime as Tehran Airport in the final scenes of Argo. If there was an Oscar to win for “best airport as different airport” ONT would be one of its strongest contenders. Of course, airports are also inclined to take cameo roles. LAX plays convincingly as itself in the crime-comedy thriller, Get Shorty, but some have accused MIA of overplaying in Big Trouble. And O’Hare, the rumored “diva” of the
industry, remains hell-bent on playing itself in Risky Business, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Home Alone despite widespread criticisms that ORD will risk being typecast until it proves it can diversify. Then there are the airports that aren’t even airports. While London Heathrow plays itself in many Love Actually scenes, Sandown Park Racecourse delivers a much-overlooked performance as the airport from which Colin (Kris Marshall) leaves to find “fulfillment” in America. Looking to branch out, Sandown has also played Johannesburg’s airport in Cry Freedom, while another racetrack, Epson Downs Racecourse, briefly enjoyed the limelight as St. Petersburg’s airport in GoldenEye. Very few airports are lucky enough to nab a leading role, but Heathrow managed to do just that in the not-so-modestly named BBC television series, Airport. The documentarystyle show follows passengers, staff and airlines through their daily journeys. Playing a variety of roles as the star of more than 90 episodes, Heathrow may just be the Meryl Streep of airport actors. Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: AFP
[CLOCKWISE from TOP LEFT] Chicago O’Hare International Airport makes a cameo in My Best Friend’s Wedding, London Heathrow Airport appears as itself in most scenes of Love Actually and Johnny Depp is complicit in ONT’s two-timing as MIA in Blow and later as Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport in Argo.
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Visit us at apex.aero
Read about how noisecanceling headphones were invented at
Listen Up
> APEX.AERO /HEADPHONES
Headphones may be the original wearables, but they’ve come a long way since their early days as personal sound-transmitting devices, adding noise-canceling and smart digital features to their audio arsenal. by Jordan Yerman illustration Ricardo Polo
Many airlines offer high-end headphones to their premium passengers, but Panasonic and Soundchip have gone bigger with Panasonic HD-AUDIO, an entirely digital, integrated experience. Paul Margis, president and CEO of Panasonic Avionics, said in a press release, “Our X Series systems are renowned for their unmatched picture quality and today we are bringing that same level of innovation to sound by reinventing the audio experience.” It seems like magic, but it’s straight-up science. Noise-canceling headphones attack low-frequency ambient noise with a sort of anti-noise: Imagine two sound waves with opposite peaks and valleys that negate each other. Combined, they present a much flatter line, and that flatter line means less ambient noise bombarding your eardrums. Meanwhile, the higher-frequency sounds are generally blocked out physically by DJ-style ear cans. Instead of turning the movie’s volume up, you’re turning the outside world’s volume down. For the listener, this means less aircraft hum and more of that
Nicholas Sparks flick you’ll later swear you didn’t watch. A key feature of HD-AUDIO is OpenEar, which lets you revert to the world beyond the screen in front of you without messing around with your headphones. Soundchip CEO Mark Donaldson says, “When Open-Ear is enabled, the Panasonic HD-AUDIO system also pauses the media being played, allowing you to engage and then disengage in conversation with others without having to scramble in finding the remote control and removing the headset.” You’ll have more control over what you hear and how you hear it than ever before. Donaldson calls it “smart wearable sound,” and Soundchip’s mission is to tear through the industry’s in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC)
Inside noise-canceling headphones
Sound waves created by headphone speaker
34
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Noise created by external source
= Silence
systems like a rampant Gordon Ramsay, leaving digital modernity in its wake. Speaking with 15 years’ IFEC experience, Donaldson says, “Bose produces great noise-canceling headphones. We, on the other hand, are focused on delivering something completely different: Something very special, which delivers fantastic, advanced noise-canceling in concert with high-definition digital audio and a suite of amazing new features made possible only through the tight coupling of headset to IFEC system.” Panasonic’s HD-AUDIO system can be updated without gutting the entire cabin. However, the advantage of all-digital in the IFEC environment that you’ll notice most is the lack of interference from the surrounding circus of signals, sounds and vibrations – including the chatterbox sitting next to you. Panasonic HD-AUDIO will pop up in premium cabins at first, but Donaldson has a message of hope for those stuck in coach: “We have an exciting proposal for economy, so stay tuned!” The future is clearly – and smoothly – digital. And noise cancelation? It was basically invented for air travel.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
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Flight Facilities Keeping with the theme of architecture, this issue’s collectible tear-out poster charts the evolution of some of the world’s most iconic airports.
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Flight Facilities We chart how airports have evolved from modest, single-runway aerodromes into expansive, multi-terminal and ever-growing behemoths. by Terri Potratz and Katie Sehl | Illustration Marcelo Cáceres
O’hare International Airport (ORD) – Chicago, United States then
Chicago Air Park was built in 1923 on 320 acres with a singular cinder runway. In 1926 the city leased the airport, later renaming it Chicago Municipal Airport, and in 1949 it was renamed the Midway Airport. By 1928 it had 12 hangars and four runways. By 1959, Midway was bustling, peaking at 10 million travelers.
now
O’Hare was constructed in 1943 as an aircraft manufacturing plant and taken over by the city in 1945. By the early 1960s much of Midway’s traffic was diverted here and it soon became Chicago’s main hub. It accommodates over 66.8 million passengers with eight runways and four terminals.
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) – Tel Aviv, Israel then
In 1936, the airport was constructed in the town of Lod and first known as Wilhelma Airport, then as an RAF airbase. It had four runways and served as a military airfield during WWII. By 1948, 40,000 passengers were passing through annually and it was eventually renamed Lod Airport.
now
Renamed Ben Gurion in 1973, the airport is still commonly referred to by its Hebrew acronym, Natbag. It has three runways, the longest of which is nicknamed the “quiet runway” because it reportedly produces the least sound pollution. The airport has three terminals, but only two are in use for its 14.2 million passengers.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates then
The airport was constrtucted by Costain in 1960 with a 1,800 meter runway made of compacted sand. Construction of a 2,804 meter asphalt runway began in 1963, and the extensions to the terminal building, hangars and navigational aids were completed in 1965. A lighting system was also installed in 1965.
now
Three passenger terminals serviced nearly 66.5 million passengers in 2013. On completion, Terminal 3 was the largest building in the world by floor space with 1.6 million square feet. Dubai Airport has two runways and Dubai Duty Free is the largest single airport retail operation in the world.
Sources: apex.aero/flightfacilities. Passenger statistics for “Now” airports are based on 2013 annual figures.
Dublin Airport (DUB) – Dublin, Ireland then
Construction began in 1937 and by 1939 the airport had a grass airfield, roads, parking lots, electricity and lighting. A new award-winning terminal, designed by Desmond FitzGerald with architecture inspired by luxury ocean liners, opened in 1941 and could accommodate 100,000 passengers.
now
Concrete runways were created in 1948, the North Terminal opened in 1959 and enhancements rapidly accelerated in the 1990s. There are now two passenger terminals, the latest of which was designed by Pascall+Watson architects and opened in 2010. Two runways service over 20.1 million passengers.
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) – Winnipeg, Canada then
Opened in 1928, the Stevenson Aerodrome was built on 160 acres of prairie grassland, with just one hangar that could house an aircraft with folding wings. The main terminal was built in 1964 and designed in a modernist international style. After a renovation and expansion in 1984, the main terminal was demolished in 2011.
now
The new terminal, a LEED-certified building inspired by the prairie landscape and designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and Stantec, opened in 2011. All passenger flights operate out of a single, 500,000 square-foot terminal building and its two runways, while a smaller terminal building services regional and cargo flights.
Changi Airport (SIN) – Changi, Singapore then
Kallang Airport was built up on 103 hectares of a once swampy basin in 1937 into a circular airfield. Its terminal had a large viewing gallery atop the twostorey glass terminal. It was closed in 1955 but the building still exists today.
now
Changi’s first passenger terminal opened in 1981 and it now has three terminals in operation with a fourth on the way in 2017. Three runways service 53.7million passengers and military. With 10.9 million square feet of terminal floor space, Changi is consistently voted as one of the best airports in the world.
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Reading Rights
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Better recall of material when read in print. It’s yours forever to keep or give away. Durable and reliable, with independent functionality.
As connectivity becomes the norm and access to the outside world begins to erode the captive onboard audience, what will become of the humble in-flight magazine? by Jasmin Legatos | Illustration Marcelo Cáceres
According to a Deloitte report on the future of in-flight entertainment, the in-flight magazine will soon be digitized and viewed via seatback screens or personal electronic devices. From a cost-savings point of view, this makes sense: Consulting firm Infosys estimated that by doing away with the print edition of in-flight magazines and replacing them with tablets, airlines could save up to $3.3 million a year in fuel alone. Most in-flight magazines already provide content on digital platforms. Many have companion websites and iPad apps, as well as Twitter profiles, Facebook pages and Pinterest boards. Companies like Delta, which recently redesigned their magazine Sky, are emphasizing exclusive digital content to better extend the magazine’s 36
december 2014 - january 2015
Visit us at apex.aero
reach beyond the cabin. Inside the cabin, technology like DTI’s eReader allows in-flight publications to be part of the seatback screen experience – Air Canada’s enRoute recently began uploading its city guides and list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants to the AVOD of its new 787s. For connected planes, the airline can also stream content directly to passengers’ devices. When you bring the in-flight magazine to the screen, new advertising opportunities and ways to satisfy your customers open up. For frequent flyers, a monthly print magazine may lose its lustre, but with digital versions of the publication at their fingertips, they’ll never have to see the same article twice. Airlines can also build passenger profiles to deliver revenuegenerating content that’s tailored to passenger
According to APEX’s 2014 Passenger Insights survey, 4 out of 5 passengers read the in-flight magazine. interests and activity. For the leisure traveler, who is less likely to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi, airlines can offer their magazine’s website or digital versions of their magazine for free on their devices. That way, passengers will still feel “online” while remaining within an airline’s content ecosystem. What about the value – let alone revenue generation – that the printed page brings to the table? According to recent studies penned by Norway’s University of Stravanger, people are less likely to fathom information read on screen than in print. In one of these studies, principal researcher Anne Mangen divided a group of grade 10 students in two and asked half to read fiction and non-fiction pieces in print and the other half to read the same texts on a computer screen. The latter group understood less than those who had read the pieces on paper. In another study conducted with adults, Mangen tested how they would retain information read on a Kindle versus in a book. Again, her findings showed that the Kindle group had a harder time reconstructing the plot of the novel than those who had sat down with the paper version. Mangen hypothesizes that the disparity is likely due to the tactile nature of the page. According to APEX’s 2014 Passenger Insights survey, four out of five passengers read the in-flight magazine for an average of about 14 minutes. For airlines that use magazine content to support a brand narrative and to promote new routes, destinations and other revenue opportunities, print may be more effective at delivering that message meaningfully to clients. Airline Passenger Experience Association
Connectivity
apex experience
Visit us at apex.aero
Advanced Antennae
Read the latest on connectivity news at > APEX.AERO /CONNECTIVITY
Satellite 22,000 miles
2Ku antenna
Gogo’s 2Ku antenna allows for a higher bandwidth capability, and is expected to deliver at 70 Mbps. The antenna with radome is just 6.5 inches high, resulting in decreased drag for the aircraft as well as lowering the frequency of bird strikes. The dual antenna concept enables one antenna to be devoted to the downlink and the other the uplink.
by Howard Slutsken
Without any doubt, the ability to receive data and television signals via satellite is magical. A string of satellites circle Earth in a 22,000-mile-high geostationary orbit over the equator, zipping along in tandem with our planet’s rotation so they appear to be parked over one spot above earth. That’s why the satellite dishes you see on balconies and in backyards don’t have to move. Now consider the passenger in seat 27C, who absolutely needs to check e-mails and Facebook while on a transoceanic flight. 38
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How does the moving aircraft connect, via satellite, to that other magical technology, the Internet? There’s a lot of tech involved, and one of the key components is the antenna. NASA demonstrated in-flight connectivity (IFC) over 20 years ago. Now, small, advanced and steerable antennae or new phased-array flat-panel antennae are mounted in low-profile and low-drag housings on top of aircraft fuselages. There’s a wide range of designs and technologies from many manufacturers, including Honeywell, Gogo, Panasonic and Cobham. Some dishes steer mechanically, and some “steer” electronically. Some designs use
(33.8 m) Length
Boeing 737-700
110.24 ft (33.6 m) Length
multiple dishes in the same housing and some use multiple channels to increase the data throughput. There are systems designed for connecting with established L-, S- and Ku-band satellites, and those using the new Ka-band “birds.” The solutions are varied, as are the needs of airline customers, depending on routes, aircraft and content requirements. Connectivity has become a “must,” and IFC technology and antenna systems will need to keep pace as demand for bandwidth and content grows. Maybe we’ll even see antennae integrated into the full length of a plane’s fuselage. It’s too bad Sir Arthur isn’t around; he’d likely have some great ideas!
FAA/EASA Bird Strike Standards Airplanes and birds don’t play well together. So, along with other international regulators, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Standards Agency (EASA) have developed standards for aircraft design and construction to ensure safe aircraft operation in the event of a bird strike. IFC antenna housings are mounted on the exterior of the airframe, which falls under the “Design and Construction” standard. That standard requires that the aircraft can successfully complete its flight after the impact of a 4-pound bird, while the plane flies at its cruising speed at sea level, or at 85 percent of cruise speed while at an altitude of 8,000 feet. Collateral damage from any impact, such as the loss or release of any parts, is also addressed.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Illustration: Marcelo Cáceres
The concept for our worldwide geostationary satellite system was first popularized by the late Sir Arthur C. Clarke in 1945. Clarke, a legendary science-fiction writer and futurist, is famously known for saying, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
110.89 ft
The distance between the aircraft and the satellite
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No Shabby Galley The industrial design of the airline galley has remained consistent since the 1960s, but with recent keeneyed reviews looking at cost-saving measures like innovative space conservation and weight reduction, this could all be changing. by Jenn Wint
We are all familiar with the aircraft galley: aluminum shelves and boxes, cupboards dotted with post-its, and catering carts hidden behind a curtain until mealtimes, when airlines hope passengers’ focus is on their hunger rather than the well-used galley carts their meal is delivered on. But the aft ends of many aircraft are finally getting the makeovers they deserve. “The airline galley is a great area of opportunity,” explains Thomas Lee, director of Marketing and Innovation for Zodiac Aerospace. “It’s a very highly utilized part of the airplane that has remained largely unchanged for 40 to 50 years.” So Zodiac developed the MaxFlex Galley with simple design adaptation in mind. With over 6,200 possible combinations, MaxFlex can be organized by aircraft series and easily reconfigured to evolve with the desires of airlines and catering staff. The system uses smaller compartments within the core galley structure that are flexible and pre-certified to fit a variety of aircraft. Airlines are able to configure a personalized galley layout to suit their systems and crew. Airlines are always looking at options to increase seat density, so when lavatories, seats, entertainment units and galleys are designed together, space vacancies can be eliminated. Zodiac’s business units collaborate on interior configurations, pairing the galley with other components to ensure all areas of the cabin are used efficiently. “Adding space is a huge contribution galleys are making onboard,” says Lee. “With any LOPA (Layout of Passenger Accommodation) we’ve studied for any airline, by combining 40
december 2014 - january 2015
new products we’re able to add more seats. More seats equal more revenue.” A popular objective across manufacturers of all on-board equipment is lessening environmental impact; for example, minimizing weight onboard to help lower fuel consumption. Lee indicates sustainability is a consideration in the design of every product. “In this area we are making incremental improvements,” he says. “Materials are lighter in weight and panels are thinner every year. We’re also using a lot more material that can be recycled when it reaches end-of-life.” One way to extend the life cycle of a galley cart is through Monogram System’s Symphony line of branded galley equipment. Custom-designed to brighten the cabin and create brand awareness, these magnetic
panels can be easily updated, giving hardware a fresh appearance. They also serve to mask damaged carts and galley equipment, delaying the replacement of older carts. Airbus’ SPICE design (SPace Innovative Catering Equipment) is a suite of galley inserts also engineered with customization in mind. Their plug-and-play design allows numerous containers to slot into the galley space efficiently and interchangeably. They are accessed ergonomically by staff to reduce strain and lifting, in addition to cutting food preparation and service times by up to 50 percent. Boeing USA is looking to strengthen galley sustainability by eliminating the need for on-board refrigeration. Their Insulated Galley Cart keeps food cold for up to 17 hours in-flight. In 2013, the design was awarded Airline Passenger Experience Association
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
apex experience
Catering
Read the latest on catering news at > APEX.AERO/CATERING
Monogram System’s Symphony line of galley magnets can update older catering carts while brightening the cabin.
photos: monogram systems; cathay pacific
Magnetic panels can be easily updated, giving hardware a fresh appearance.
a Crystal Cabin Award in the Greener Cabin, Health, Safety & Environment category. Boeing engineers estimate it could save 2,300 metric tons of fuel over the service life of a single aircraft. B/E Aerospace’s latest galley innovation is a self-contained steam oven. This lightweight technology allows hot cooking in a dry galley. The device uses water to create moist air pressure so food cooks quickly and evenly. Steamed, low-temperature cooking requires lower power usage, resulting in faster cooking times. Without plumbing requirements, this oven is easily modifiable, integrating with galley upgrades and within existing design systems. Jenny Leung, Galley Development & Packing Standards manager for Cathay Pacific, and her team look to staff and Airline Passenger Experience Association
in-flight crews when designing new galley configurations. “The experiences of our cabin crew determine the development of our galley infrastructure,” she explains. “For example, many Asian staff on our crews are not tall so we must ensure beverage makers and supplies are at a height where they can be easily accessed. We want a seamless catering process [as] cabin-crew flow and positioning are often measured by safety. Occupational health and safety is very important.” Cathay Pacific galleys are organized with wet, dry and beverage stations similar to a large restaurant kitchen. With a variety of different planes traveling various routes, all galleys must be predictably configured so interchangeable staff can maintain their level of service. “Our planes don’t rest,” explains Leung. “The galley changeover is critical. With many catering staff transitioning supplies and crockery, and flight crew working various routes, it must be a consistent process.” Designs for sustainable, compact galleys producing world-class meals continue to evolve in function and esthetics. Spacesaving and lightweight materials are increasingly important, while safety and ergonomics for airline crew remain essential. Effective galley design and functionality allow crews to serve passengers efficiently and smoothly; it’s an understated yet essential player in creating a memorable passenger experience.
Cathay Pacific and Mandarin Oriental showcase their mouth-watering partnership Dean Yasharian, executive chef at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, began his classic French training in New York. His worldly signature creations are now featured in-flight, changing the taste of luxury travel. Mandarin Oriental and Cathay Pacific, both internationally recognized Hong Kong brands, have extended their in-flight collaboration, creating a unique experience for first-class passengers traveling between London and Hong Kong. Passengers are enjoying authentic fine dining featuring high-quality organic ingredients and seasonally inspired dishes. Menus are à la carte, allowing passengers to dine at any time during the flight, selecting all four signature courses or a combination of dishes from the standard selection. “What’s great about this initiative is that Mandarin Oriental has tailored a full dining experience,” says Aaron Claxton, manager of Catering Services for Cathay Pacific. “We’ve received very positive comments and are moving to include other ports based on the response to these menus.”
december 2014 - january 2015
41
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Smooth Operators
Follow our updates on security at > APEX.AERO/SECURITY
Technological advancements are hastening the arrival of less imposing screening architecture, helping travelers pass through security more smoothly. by Samantha Shankman | Illustration Julie Carles
The airport security process has become one of the most dreaded parts of the air travel experience, but smart operators are keeping an eye on technology and design elements that can make the security experience smooth and functional for flyers. Airport architect Luis Vidal envisions his ideal security set-up: “The best security area would be one in which passengers aren’t aware that they are passing through security, without needing to undress or be barefoot, without worrying about carrying more than 100-milliliter liquids inside of a transparent plastic bag and without having to remove their laptops from their suitcases.” Reimagining the security area as a lounge or free-flowing space requires automation and minimal staff interactions while Airline Passenger Experience Association
Services
maintaining current security standards. The technology that would be integral to creating this utopian security checkpoint is starting to emerge. One of the most promising examples is ALFA3, which uses thermal imaging to detect temperature differences between passengers’ bodies and other objects including metal, liquids and gels. The scanner can allegedly process more than 400 people per hour, potentially signaling the end of lengthy security queues. Centralized image processing centers would also move many staff members that crowd present-day security centers to a remote room where they can focus on scanner images and behavior from afar, without intimidating travelers.
Mobile technology that advises travelers exactly when to arrive at the processing area could also ease congestion and potentially quell lines altogether. SecurXpress at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a current iteration of this technology. The system allows travelers to book a specific time to pass through security, confirm their appointment via text message and receive a reminder 15 minutes prior to their appointment. In 2013, Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association formally agreed to invest in improving the end-to-end passenger experience. In support of this, a joint Smart Security program was launched to “lay out a roadmap to evolve airport passenger security screening,” making it “more effective, efficient and pleasant for the passenger.” Transportation Security Administration’s July 2014 contest for a “next-generation checkpoint design model” attracted over 1,500 entries, a testament to air travelers’ interests in helping improve the process. december 2014 - january 2015
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Collectible Kitsch Airlines are turning to silk sleepwear, alcohol-filled ceramic vases and other limited-edition souvenirs to leave a lasting impression on their premium passengers. by Nadja Sayej
austrian airways klm Before disembarking from a business-class flight with KLM, passengers are given a “last drink on the house.” No bottle, however: It’s served in a miniature white Dutch house filled with their local gin, “genever.” Puncture the wax chimney seal to pour yourself a glass. A new design is added annually on KLM’s anniversary, so there are now 95 different houses. No purchase available; in-flight only.
When flying long-haul business, passengers are offered a grey wool bag called “A Little Piece of Austria.” Inside, the fabric is printed with old black-and-white photos of skiing Austrians. There are eight different bags to collect, showing the different regional costumes from the countryside. A definite keeper.
swissair
air france
qatar Their bathrooms are famously stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste and shaving kits, while their snack bar offers Godiva chocolates. One take-home treasure is the scented Attimo Pour Homme hand cream from Salvatore Ferragamo, exclusive to business-class passengers, as is the lip balm. 44
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Passengers love the red wine and warm baguettes they serve, but the amenity kits on Air France are next level. Alongside a hypoallergenic feather pillow and cozy blankets, their “comfort and well-being” kits contain toiletries, including a highquality Clarins skin treatment. The best part is a “Do Not Disturb” sticker to put on your sleeping mask, so you can snooze sans interruptions.
As they board each flight, passengers are treated with Swiss chocolate – emblazoned with the airline’s logo. Wrapped in silver foil and red packaging, it reads, “Thank you for flying with Swiss.” They serve chocolate eggs at Easter and now have introduced lactoseand gluten-free food and beverages. Swissair has allergy-friendly cabins in business class, including synthetic pillows and fragrance-free soap.
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air berlin Everyone who has ever flown with airberlin knows their magic trick: As you step off the plane, you’re handed a milk-chocolate heart wrapped in red tinfoil. If that isn’t charming enough, business class passengers are spoiled with L’Occitane En Provence cream, lip balm and eye mask.
Follow the author on Twitter > @NADJASAYEJ
british airways
united airways
photos: KLM; Austrian airways; nadja sayej: Air berlin; British Airways; Singapore airlines
Guests in BusinessFirst class are gifted a gray canvas goodie bag – an unlikely spa kit. Among the variety of treats, find a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, an eye mask, earplugs, ink pens and more goodies. There’s also Philosophy-brand hand cream, lip balm and a cleansing cloth.
In business class, the leading skincare experts Elemis offer spa kits for men (shaving gel, anti-aging moisturizer and a razor) and women (anti-aging cream, moisturizer, apricot facial wipe and hand cream). Also, Club World travelers can enjoy a complimentary 15-minute therapy at an in-lounge spa at Heathrow or JFK. What a dream to look forward to upon landing.
singapore airlines Passengers in suite and in first-class longhaul flights receive toiletries, as well as fragrances and perfumes by Salvatore Ferragamo. Not to go unmentioned are the grey Givenchy-designed pajamas and suede slippers. The airline also provides sanitary napkins in the women’s packages, which is genius for unexpected emergencies.
lufthansa Passengers flying overnight on Lufthansa’s business class might be surprised to receive a goodbye gift filled with maternal touches. In a white paper bag, the “breakfast to go” includes a plastic-wrapped whole-wheat sandwich, Yop yogurt, fruit salad and a coffee. No need for the business lounge, you can eat on-the-go in the taxi. Airline Passenger Experience Association
The author’s travel spanned from 2011-2013; some airlines may have since updated their amenity offerings.
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Blunt Force Drama Personal electronic devices have forced the airline industry to reconsider the architecture of in-flight entertainment systems, but as they become omnipresent onboard, what can airlines and vendors do to regulate their safety in the cabin? by Cameron Watt | illustration Ricardo Polo
E
mbedded screens that go into aircraft seats need to endure long safety enhancing procedures, just like the seats themselves, to ensure they won’t become flying objects during a crash or incident. Aircraft seats are required to undergo a safety process known as “delethalization,” where elements of a seatback – such as the tray table and embedded in-flight
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entertainment (IFE) system – are tested to ensure that in the event of a crash or deceleration, they won’t become dangerous objects that could injure a passenger. Embedded seatback entertainment systems are especially tricky: Positioned at eye-level for optimal IFE viewing, the screens also happen to sit at the bull’s-eye point for head collisions. > december 2014 - january 2015
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For added peace of mind in terms of head safety, another test called the 16G or Head Injury Criterion (HIC) test is designed to minimize the potential force-driven headinjury risks during a crash. During HIC testing the seats must look exactly as they would with all elements present, including embedded screens. Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs, or “dummies”) are positioned in seats that are placed on a sled device that facilitates the force-action required for deceleration. Three accelerometers inside the ATDs’ heads are used to collect data. If the dummy’s head is expected to impact the seatback, it’s treated with a special material that will indicate strike areas. The test needs to be conducted many times to achieve an accurate result, making it very costly since each test requires new entertainment units, and sometimes even
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a new set of seats, that will ultimately be destroyed. And any modification made to the seats during the process will require that they undergo another costly round of testing. The new standard HIC is a dynamic test exposing subjects to 16 g-forces, which simulates loads that could be survivable in an impact accident. Other procedures carried out for HIC can be slightly less expensive though not quantitatively repeatable, like smashing an entertainment screen as hard as possible with a hammer to see what might come flying out. Going further than the HIC, any airborne electrical equipment must satisfy the requirements of the DO-160, a long standard of procedures required for electrical equipment on any aircraft. These include temperature variation tests exposing systems to extreme changes in climate, vibration
Safety
“PEDs can fly up from the seat pocket and through the cabin at 32 feet a second.” Nick Pajic and shock tests to ensure the units stay where they need to in the case of extreme conditions, and altitude tests that can simulate a loss in cabin pressure. Running parallel to these physical tests are additional software tests for the systems to ensure they don’t have the potential to bring a plane down via electromagnetic interference.
flying through loopholes Almost all of this regulatory rigmarole is not considered necessary for the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) onboard, provided they’ve been certified for safe use in their country of sale. James Schoen, principal program manager for Rockwell Collins IFE system, explains that when it comes to the use of consumer PEDs onboard, it’s about making sure the aircraft can operate normally without interference from them. “PEDs are consumer devices and it’s simply not practical to impose full aircraft level safety requirements on them. So at the device level you could say they have found a loophole [around testing procedures].” He explains, “As it’s not possible to control a PED like you can an embedded IFE system, the strategy is to ensure the aircraft systems are compatible with PED emissions.” Ken Brady, Thales’ chief engineer, describes the loophole that allows PEDs onboard without impact or trauma safety testing as a case of “managed risk,” while noting that the level of risk with embedded seatback entertainment systems remains much lower because of its design and the stringent testing procedures it’s forced to comply with. >
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with us, the sky has no limits
in-flight connectivity– powered by deutsche telekom Deutsche Telekom is one of the biggest telecommunications providers in the world. We manage more than 50,000 HotSpots around the globe, and now we provide unsurpassed high-speed Wi-Fi services in-flight, too. Accessible on international flights every day via credit card, vouchers or roaming with one of our many partners. Let your customers become part of our idea of innovation and grow your business - with us, without limitations.
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97%
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Read more about safety online at
of passengers bring their own devices
> apex.aero/safety
Source: SITA’s 2014 Passenger IT Trends Survey statistics
18%
of travelers carry a laptop, phone and tablet One way in which the risks PEDs may pose in-flight is being managed is through IATA’s stowage mandate that requires large devices, like laptops, to be stored in approved locations during critical phases of flight. “A flying laptop in a crash would be a very dangerous thing, so the requirement for stowage is totally appropriate. Smaller PEDs can often be held in your hand or put in a pocket for proper retention,” Brady explains. But mid-range devices like tablets, though not identified in IATA’s stowage requirement, could pose as much risk as a laptop. “If you have an aborted takeoff or sudden deceleration, [PEDs] can fly up from the seat pocket and through the cabin at thirty-two feet a second,” says Nick Pajic, CEO of SmartTray International.
smart solutions The 2014 APEX/IFSA EXPO in Anaheim showcased a few interesting solutions airlines could implement to enhance IFE options and address the risks associated with flying PEDs. As exhibited on the showroom floor, replacing embedded Airline Passenger Experience Association
screens with tablets is a popular option. BAE Systems’ IntelliCabin offers a full suite of scalable and customizable products for the cabin that includes a Samsung tablet-based solution to replace the embedded seatback screen. The “picture-in-picture” feature of the entertainment system may appeal to multitaskers and keep potential PEDpeddling hands free as it enables the viewer to continue to watch their movie of choice in a slightly minimized window while they simultaneously place a digital drink order or check their location on the moving map. Lufthansa’s BoardConnect wireless IFE platform also sees the traditional seatback system ditched in favor of a tablet-based solution. The Seat-Integrated Tablet Solution involves an airline-supplied tablet affixed to the back of the seat. During critical flight phases, the tablet is protected by a sliding, transparent visor that has already passed regulated safety standards. Since the visor protects the tablet screen from impact, there’s no need for the tablet to be HIC-tested. This also means that the airline can easily replace or update tablets
without having to go through another costly round of testing. SmartTray International has patented a range of tray tables that can securely stow a wide range of tablets, including the X2 design which holds tablets securely in the table, whether up or down. During regular flight phases, passengers affix their tablets to the table and use them for work or entertainment purposes. For critical flight stages that require tables to be stowed, passengers can attach their tablets to the closed tray table, where they remain secure and out of head-strike point. These new technologies aim to give passengers an experience they enjoy on the ground with their own devices while also taking into account the risks surrounding unsecured PEDs. Almost all passengers who fly want to be able to enjoy a premium entertainment experience, and naturally, this experience is going to include handheld devices. With new developments designed to keep gadgets as secure as their embedded predecessors, hopefully we can worry a bit less about them suddenly turning into flying lethal weapons. december 2014 - january 2015
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Q&A
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“
Whether you are an engineer, salesperson, HR or marketing professional, we all support an industry that moves aviation into the next generation.
�
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Q&A
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> Fast Facts Location:
PHX
Now Reading:
Best of Me, a young-adult novel that my 7th-grade daughter shared with me
Kristin Guthrie
Best airline industry acronym:
FSDO: Flight Standards District Office (pronounced FizDoe)
Vice-President, Customer Experience, Air Transport and Regional Honeywell Aerospace
photo: Honeywell Aerospace
Kristin leads the Customer Experience organization for Honeywell’s Air Transport and Regional business, and is responsible for driving innovative solutions designed to improve the overall customer experience. Kristin has an MBA from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kansas State University. She is Master Six Sigma Black Belt and also Marketing Leadership Education Program certified.
To read Kristin’s full Q&A, please visit us online at > apex.aero /KristinGuthrie
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S
omething that never ceases to amaze you in your industry? I think most people who work in aviation would agree that it is amazing to know that we make aircraft that fly in the sky. Whether you are an engineer, salesperson, HR or marketing professional, we all support an industry that moves aviation into the next generation. Honeywell Aerospace celebrated 100 years of innovation this year – a century ago Lawrence Sperry completed a “wing walk” with no one at the controls of his airplane, demonstrating the first aircraft stabilizer, which became known as the autopilot. Can you believe the progress we’ve made in 100 years? The evolution of technology never ceases to amaze me. Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you? My husband is from the Wichita, Kansas, area, so in 2001 we decided to return to Kansas so that our children could grow up near our extended family. Wichita is an aviation hub, once considered the aviation capital of the world, so it was only natural that one would become fascinated by the industry – I’m lucky to say it chose
me. My first job in aerospace was with Cessna Aircraft and to this day, pilots will express their affection for the brand to me, exclaiming, “I learned to fly in a Cessna 172!” I joined Honeywell in 2010 and I continue to feel blessed to have been chosen by aviation and to work with a group of talented and passionate “avgeeks.” Describe the view from your favorite window. I grew up in the mid-western region of the United States and I love seeing its landscape from 30,000 feet. The view of the vast farmlands, with the circle and square shapes, reminds me of my childhood summers spent on my grandparents’ farm. Talent you wish you possessed? I wish I had the ability to directly inject knowledge. If one could instantly learn and retain information from the fields of medicine, law, art, etc. – that would be an amazing talent. If you haven’t seen the movie The Matrix, I highly recommend it. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, watch the entire series!
december 2014 - january 2015
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Baggage
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Notional Baggage Advancements in check-in procedures and luggage-tagging technologies will soon change how we design and build airports. Is the landside lobby area destined to become an architectural relic? by Jordan Yerman | illustration Oscar Chavez
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december 2014 - january 2015
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T
he airport lobby seems to be frozen in time, a monument to the endless row of counters where paper tickets get printed and sticky-tape luggage tags are attached to suitcases. It’s ancient history played out in the present, but we can do better. We can empower the passenger more, encumber the airport less and make air travel a lot more fun in the process. There’s no need for the airport lobby checkin configuration as we know it. Increasingly, the airline travel experience is door-to-door as we check in online. Islands of automation are becoming the norm, but they exist cheekby-jowl with the same systems Indiana Jones used before boarding his plane, which by cinematic turn would transform into a dotted red line scooting across an old-school map. Airline Passenger Experience Association
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FastTrack Company founder David van Hoytema says, “It’s a worldwide trend, right? Pushing everything off-airport. The industry has done that for check-in, for booking, so everything is online, through apps. The two big remaining things are baggage and probably passport control.”
eliminate the lug If you could check your suitcase in online and instruct your printer to squirt out your tag, you could then just drop your bag into a chute as you walk through the airport doorway – or have your hotel or transport service deliver it to the airport on your behalf. Then you could just strut right up to security as your bag runs its own gauntlet through the guts of the airport.
Baggage
Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future, describes this as the Holy Grail of luggage-management design: “The goal is to eliminate your baggage as quickly as possible, so you’re not having to lug it around as a passenger. The sooner we can get rid of it, if you like, the easier all sorts of other things become.” Empowering the passenger to check her own luggage will speed things along mightily. From Oslo to Halifax to Kuala Lumpur, we’re printing out our own bag tags via self-service check-in halls. With self-service, only a token staff presence is needed to deal with passengers who didn’t organize their travel online (what century are you in?), tried to check a suitcase weighing 100 kilos (lift with the legs), or arrived too late for check-in (lesson learned). > december 2014 - january 2015
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Application development specialists for in-flight entertainment and communications systems. Our software is installed on hundreds of aircraft and used by thousands of passengers every day in every corner of the world all in their own languages. Applications we have developed allow passengers to view their location on the map, watch on-demand video & audio, play games, go shopping, reserve a hotel, car or just browse for information all from 30,000ft. Established in 1998 with development facilities in Chichester, UK and Lake Forest, CA and a team of over 40 experienced developers we provide unrivalled expertise in the IFEC industry.
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MEMBER ACCESS It is the APEX mission to offer members a wide range of opportunities to excel in the airline passenger experience industry by keeping them current with the latest industry news, trends and developments, and providing the means to foster a communicative relationship with clients and colleagues around the world.
APEX EXPO This is the industry’s largest trade show, featuring 250 exhibitors and thousands of the latest in-flight products, systems and services. MULTIMEDIA MARKET Attend the only global industry event focused specifically on bringing together in-flight content buyers and leading providers of short-subject programming, TV, movies, games, GUIs and apps. REGIONAL CONFERENCES Participate in interactive sessions around the world, led by industry experts and early adopters as they share their knowledge on issues related to comprehensive, high-interest passenger experience-related topics. TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCES Join industry leaders in creating quality and compatibility standards.
APEX.AERO The members-only section of the APEX website includes the Member Directory, a virtual “who’s who” of the airline passenger experience industry, as well as educational reference materials, research reports, event transcripts and video presentations. APEX MEDIA In addition to the bimonthly publication of the magazine, APEX will be refocusing our online media presence in the coming months to provide members with a comprehensive platform on which to connect, interact and contribute. For association and industry news, follow @theAPEXassoc on Twitter
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Baggage
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The eTag is made up of an e-ink screen, which digitally displays your latest booking details. Paired with the eTrack, you can follow the status of your baggage.
photos: FastTrack Company
The e-ink screen on the eTag digitally displays the details of your current journey.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Air France-KLM and FastTrack Company are introducing eTag and eTrack, a permanent bag tag and accompanying tracking device. Initially aimed at business travelers and frequent flyers, eTag and eTrack are linked to Flying Blue account IDs, the info they display matching your latest booking. The e-ink screen on the eTag digitally displays the details of your current journey, replacing the eco-unfriendly need for a printed label. As with in-flight entertainment, our personal smart devices can enhance – and perhaps even replace – legacy infrastructure. Meanwhile the eTrack device, placed inside the suitcase, makes use of GSM, GPS and Bluetooth technology that lets you spy on the global movements of your suitcase from your smartphone, like in a Jason Bourne movie. A company called HomingPIN has created a similar tag for tracking your suitcase (or passport, car keys or whatever you want to slap a sticker on), and allowing you to report it missing or stolen should it veer astray. Airports have also begun dabbling with using RFID technology to track bags through the airport system.
intrepid baggage Despite passenger-empowering tracking features, FastTrack and Air France-KLM found that passengers drop their luggage off with nagging trepidation, and then wait at the carousel with a sense of straightup worry: Will that suitcase emerge, or is it en route to Greenland? (Why does my lost luggage always take more interesting journeys than I do?) According to SITA, less than seven out of 1,000 suitcases will go on journeys independently of their owners. Of the 21.8 million mishandled bags, 81.2 percent of them were merely delayed, 15.5 percent were stolen from or damaged, while the remaining 3.3 percent were lost or stolen outright. Most of the delayed bags get lost in the shuffle during transfers between flights, thus separating you from your clean underwear. DIY luggage tracking is a leap forward, but we can leap even further. The system must first know when your bag was accidentally thrown on the next plane to McMurdo Station, and then prevent it from > december 2014 - january 2015
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Baggage
Even if tomorrow’s luggage tracking won’t eliminate today’s lobby, the airport will evolve in radical ways.
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joining the March of the Penguins. This, says van Hoytema, is the next phase of eTag and eTrack: “We can track these things so precisely, you can give a warning signal before the plane departs: ‘There’s a wrong bag on the plane!’” In terms of privacy, van Hoytema says, “We’re not following you, we’re following the bag.” He notes that eTag and eTrack have yet to encounter pushback from either passengers or airlines. This is about taking something that’s broken and fixing it: Airports and airlines have been trying to track suitcases since the beginning of air travel; they’re not bad at it, but they’re not doing as well as they – or we – would like. Meanwhile, more and more of us are flying and still using yesterday’s airport structures.
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lobbying for tomorrow The airport of tomorrow is not just about physical architecture. Automated check-in, bag-tagging and tracking initiatives may already exist, but what’s been missing is the vision to put those pieces together. For example, North America lags behind with home-printed luggage tags, thus gumming up the works for airlines and passengers all over the world. And while RFID-trackable luggage tags sound good in theory, what’s happening in Vegas has been staying in Vegas: McCarran Airport is the first in North America that’s fully ready for RFID-trackable luggage, and only one of two fully RFID-trackable airports in the world besides Hong Kong’s. Will the airport lobby eventually become redundant? Talwar doesn’t think so: “It’s
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Of the 21.8 million mishandled bags...
81.2% merely delayed
15.5% stolen from or damaged
While the remaining 3.3% were lost or stolen outright. SITA’s Report on 2013 Baggage Statistics
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Baggage
not that putting permanent electronic bag tags on [your luggage] is going to solve that. My gut feeling is that people will want to do curbside or in-airport check-in for some time to come.” Even if tomorrow’s luggage tracking won’t eliminate today’s lobby, Talwar believes that the airport itself will evolve in radical ways: “In 30 years’ time, it will be commonplace for us to be using smart materials that adapt and change their shape, or to have 4-D-printed structures that change their shape over time.” (For those not up on futurist lingo, 4-D refers to printed objects that react to their surroundings, like David Bowie’s kingdom in Labyrinth.) He’s talking about modular retail, plug-and-play airport-wide bars. “The key, really, is flexibility and the use of space, finding ways to keep the passenger there for as long as possible so they’ll spend as much as possible,” says Talwar, “and having as little encumbrance on the passenger ... as they go through the airport.” The airport of tomorrow will give you less friction; but, with biometrics and trackable passports and luggage tags, it will also know more about you the second you step inside. This rapidly evolving dynamic will affect the luggage drop-off process, as well as that other airport time-suck: passport control. “I have a sense,” says Talwar, “that we’re going to do some radical things, and cost will drive it. The penny will drop with a lot of governments that what they’re doing with customs and border protection is damaging their brand.” E-Passport gates, where you scan your face against your passport, are already deployed in Europe but the question remains how widespread they will become. Van Hoytema says, “Making the airport as efficient and friendly as you can benefits the airline, the airport and the passenger.” The good news is we’re getting there. So next time you have to queue to drop off your luggage, soak up the experience. Enjoy it if you can, for tomorrow that counter will be gone, leaving you with nothing but memories and some extra free time.
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Q&A
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“
The entertainment industry is able to capture the imagination of their customers – making them into passionate fans ... another thing the airline industry can learn from.
”
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december 2014 - january 2015
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Q&A
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> Fast Facts Location:
DFW
Brian Richardson
Now Reading:
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein (to my fiveyear-old)
Years in Industry:
10
The future of flight will be:
Personalized
Director of Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity American Airlines
photo: Mehran torg0ley
Brian Richardson oversees Wi-Fi and entertainment within the American Airlines fleet, which involves marketing strategy and content development, as well as anything else to keep people entertained: Bose headsets, Samsung tablets and newspapers. He started in the travel industry at Travelocity and has worked in a number of areas at American Airlines including AA Vacations, AA.com and Merchandising & Onboard Products.
To read Brian’s full Q&A, please visit us online at > apex.aero /brianrichardson
Airline Passenger Experience Association
W
here do you see the entertainment industry in the coming years? Things will continue to move fast. I expect there to be an increased proliferation of content, including improved quality of original content from new sources. We’re already seeing this today. I also expect there to be an increased expectation among viewers to be able to watch everything, everywhere. With this, I do think the viewing windows and rules around the broadcast of media will continue to change and evolve. The customer is king. What can the airline industry learn from the entertainment industry? I think the constant pursuit by studios to develop and enhance a product to match the needs of customers is something the airline industry can learn from. Additionally, the entertainment industry is able to capture the imagination of their customers – making them into passionate fans, which is another thing the airline industry can learn from. What’s the one item you can’t travel without? I’m going to cheat and name two. The first is TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry. I’m always cutting it close with my flights and I love not having to take my shoes off. The second is my set of Bose QC25 noise-canceling headphones – the same models we will loan our premium passengers. With the
new electronics rules in place, I’m tuned-in gate-to-gate. Favorite airport lounge and why? I’m a fan of the Las Vegas airport because there is nothing better than winning some money while waiting for your flight… and taking off before you have a chance to lose it. I do also love the arrival lounge showers at the Admirals Club in London Heathrow Airport. After a long flight, it hits the spot. Breakfast tacos and BBQ at AustinBergstrom International Airport and at Terminal A at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is hard to beat. What’s the best seat on the plane? Next to me, of course! Just kidding. It’s up front with a drink in hand. Preferably on our new 777-300s or A321Ts. But if I’m in my normal spot in the main cabin, it’s near the front with a bit of extra legroom on the aisle. Three things about where you live that make you want to live there. I live in an area of Dallas called the “M Streets” because almost all the streets there begin with that letter. It’s known for being the largest concentration of Tudor-style homes in the American Southwest. I happen to love it because it’s within walking distance of several great local restaurants, bars and live music venues. It’s also a very eclectic neighborhood in terms of who lives there and I love the friendly, independent vibe.
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Carlisle Interconnect Technologies designs and manufactures easy-to-install, cost effective solutions for the integration of next generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems. Our solutions are simple in concept, lightweight and combine full electrical and structural integration. CarlisleIT continues to offer effective, efficient system installation solutions that stand up to the rigors of in-flight and ground operations.
www.CarlisleIT.com | 800.458.9960
Roundtable
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Designing the Future We assembled a panel of experts to discuss how the airline industry is approaching the notion of “future-proofing� aircraft and terminals. How do we accurately predict the needs of the future, while also maintaining flexibility for growth?
photos: Stantec; Vancouver international airport; airbus
by jenn wint
> Stanis Smith Executive VP, Buildings & Sector Leader Stantec
Airline Passenger Experience Association
> Steve Hankinson Vice President of Operations Vancouver International Airport
> Thomas Burger Product Marketing Director A380 Airbus
> Sebastien Lavina Airport Data and Assessment Manager Airbus
december 2014 - january 2015
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Roundtable
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C
ollege Park Airport in Maryland, the world’s oldest airport, opened in 1909. Fast-forward 105 years and there are thousands of airports located around the globe. Air travel is popular, convenient and affordable. It’s unlikely the first pilots flying into College Park would have predicted where we’d be such a short time later, which is why, these days, an element of time travel is involved in predicting how aircraft and airports should be designed to accommodate future developments, as flying continues to gain momentum. The process of future-proofing, designing and facilitating terminal and aircraft upgrades, is a group effort. Airport authorities, architects, engineers and aircraft designers are only the beginning. From the get-go, there are two things they agree on: Teamwork is essential and the customer experience is top priority. Stanis Smith, executive VP, buildings & sector leader, with Stantec; Steve Hankinson, vice-president of operations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR); Thomas Burger, product marketing director A380 for Airbus; and Sebastien Lavina, airport data and
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Roundtable
photos: Foster + Partners; Jewel Changi Airport Devt
[LEFT and ABOVE] The new Mexico City International Airport is a 5-year, $13-billion project. [BOTTOM LEFT] The new “Project Jewel” terminal at Singapore Changi Airport will feature plenty of green space.
“Passenger behavior and the increase in self-service is changing the way we use the checkin lounge.” Stanis Smith
Airline Passenger Experience Association
assessment manager, also for Airbus, share their perspectives on aircraft and terminal design and make educated predictions for the future.
time is of the essence “When designing a new terminal or upgrading an existing terminal we look for trends,” begins Smith. “What has happened in the past and what is happening in other industries allows us to predict where the trends are heading and design appropriately. Technology is obviously important. Passenger behavior and the increase in self-service is changing the way we use the check-in lounge. Most passengers check in online and baggage screening is done behind the scenes. In the past, pre-check-in
was time-consuming and passengers often lingered, but now it’s relatively seamless. The equipment and space required is decreasing. Winnipeg airport’s departures area was reduced [by] 30 percent and has an intuitive flow-through check-in design. We were able to avoid an expansion at YVR during the 2010 Winter Olympics by using space and technology efficiently.” Hankinson’s operations experience at YVR indicates that “customers want two things: speed and ease. To achieve speed, the experience has to be predictable. And to achieve ease, they must be able to get to their destination without breaking a sweat.” From the aircraft perspective, Burger explains, “Productivity and efficiency are essential for a smooth integration with the terminal. The double-decker A380 holds 40 percent more passengers than a jumbo jet. Despite the increase in size, we needed to ensure the aircraft was able to move and turn the same way on the runway. We designed the interior and the ramp and vehicle interfaces to ensure the 90-minute turnaround between flights wasn’t increased.” > december 2014 - january 2015
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designing with class
flexibility is essential
Burger looks at the recent changes in aircraft designs and sees consumers’ needs and desires driving trends. “An emerging trend is having premium classes board separately, either straight from a lounge or directly onto the upper level of the aircraft. This service differentiator is becoming popular as more options become available. In the 1960s we had first class and economy. Now with increasing demand for comfort, we have business class and premium economy. First class on some aircrafts indicates a private, self-contained suite.” Smith also acknowledges that the demographics of customers are instigating change. “Universal design is a major consideration. Travel is becoming more common among [the] elderly and those with mobility challenges. Where airports used to have a series of staircases to separate departures from arrival, we’re looking to gradual ramps and ways to make moving around the terminal easier for those with special requirements.”
Designing with flexibility in mind allows for future growth and change within aircraft and terminal function. As the idea of the “aerotropolis” gains popularity, airports are becoming destinations, not just places people pass through on a journey. “Airports are mini-cities built to accommodate thousands of staff, as well as passengers. They are community spaces with observation decks, conference facilities … and other draws for visitors not traveling,” Smith explains. “These spaces are multipurpose and allow functions to change as required.” Says Burger, “Aircraft must be equipped to evolve with demand. Airbus are designed in families, which allows flexibility to accommodate growth. The size of the aircraft may differ but their operation is the same and pilots are able to fly various models. We are also able to enhance the range of the aircraft by replacing the engine.” >
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The Airbus delivery ceremony in May 2014, for Asiana Airlines’ first A380.
“The A380 holds 40 percent more passengers than a jumbo jet. We needed to ensure the aircraft was able move the same way on the runway.” Thomas Burger Airline Passenger Experience Association
photo: airbus
Roundtable
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“We are developing systems that are more efficient and less harmful to the environment.”
photo: Nakanimamasakhlisi, un studio
Sebastien Lavina
Roundtable
apex experience
location, location, location During the design of YVR, branding was a key theme. Explains Smith, “As passengers have more airports to choose from, branding becomes increasingly important. Airport designs should be unique and memorable. Passengers should know what city they’re in by the design of the airport.” Hankinson agrees, commenting, “Each segment of the Vancouver airport represents a different part of British Columbia. Through art and
architecture we created a cultural experience as customers move through the terminal. We have achieved desired speed and ease if customers are able to take the time during travel to pause and have a museum experience.”
flying forward Predicting the future is anyone’s guess but among the experts, the trends are consistent. Carbon footprint and CO2 emissions are at the top of the list. “In the next 10 years environmental concerns are extremely important for airports. We are working on solutions for less fuel burn, minimizing consumption and equipment producing CO2,” says Lavina. “We are developing systems that are more efficient and less harmful to the environment. This is where the concern is and it will drive the innovation we see in the future.” Intermodal travel is another sustainabledesign consideration moving forward. “As traveling gains popularity, air travel becomes only a piece of the journey. It is increasingly important for airports to be connected to rail, bus and even cycling routes so passengers can easily transition from one form of travel to the next,” adds Smith. Lastly, Hankinson explains, the future customer experience no longer consists only of airport and flight time. “Technology has taken the customer experience beyond physical terminal and aircraft space. The experience begins before they arrive at the terminal and continues after they have left. We provide web-based tools and apps to make experiences outside of the terminal take place with ease and speed. The future ultimately revolves around the customer. They’re the center of the experience.”
Opened in 2013, Georgia’s Kutaisi Airport was designed with future expansion initiatives in mind.
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Q&A
“
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One thing I wish people cared more about? Ownership.
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Q&A
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> Fast Facts
Dr. Ehtisham Siddiqui
Frequent Flight:
BGM – LHR
Now Watching:
House of Cards Hero:
Pierce Brosnan Years in Industry:
35
The future of flight will be:
Integrated
Vice-President and General Manager of Commercial Aircraft Solutions BAE Systems
photo: BAE Systems
Dr. Siddiqui is vice-president and general manager for Commercial Aircraft Solutions, a transatlantic business providing controls and avionics for aircraft engines, air transport, regional and business aircraft applications. The business is a key supplier to GE Aviation, Boeing Commercial Aircraft and several regional aircraft manufacturers, and supports over 300 airlines worldwide.
To read Ehtisham’s full Q&A, please visit us online at > apex.aero /EhtishamSiddiqui
Airline Passenger Experience Association
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hat does your typical workday look like? I get to work around 7:30 a.m. and leave around 7 p.m. A typical workday involves reviewing ongoing programs, strategizing with my leadership team on business issues, having calls with customers and partners and just walking around to connect with employees. Of course, I travel quite a bit to visit with customers, as well as the various facilities that support my business. Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you? I would say that it chose me. When I was finishing my education, I was focused more on the power-generation business as it was more closely related to my area of research. However, my advisor asked me to interview with GE Aerospace, as a friend of his had reached out to him. So, I did, and fell in love with the challenge given to me – designing a 141-horsepower motor that was six inches in diameter and six inches long for an aerospace application. That assignment led to others and here I am. What’s the best seat on the plane? I love the lie-flat seats and take full advantage of them, especially when flying overseas.
Three things about where you live that make you want to live there. I live in upstate New York in a city called Binghamton, 200 miles west of New York City. It was the birthplace of IBM and the airplane-simulation business (Link Simulation started here), has a great university and is very affordable. Within about three hours, you can be in New York City, Philadelphia or the Adirondacks. Book you’re currently reading? I am now reading World Order by Henry Kissinger, which describes how world affairs have always been chaotic. I have also ordered Return of a King by William Dalrymple, which is about the first battle in Afghanistan. One thing you wished people cared more about? Ownership. I often see people make excuses rather than take full ownership of their actions. The career path you considered but never followed? I considered becoming a physician but was deterred by the long working hours required as well as the monotony. Looking back now, it would have been no different from my current work schedule. december 2014 - january 2015
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Carpets
Portland Airport is beginning a massive carpet replacement project, and as the new replaces the old, passengers reflect on one of the most famous wefts in aviation. by Howard Slutsken
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december 2014 - january 2015
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Carpets
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Y
ou just never know how it’s going to turn out when you open yourself up to the universe. Especially if the center of your universe happens to be Portland. The one in Oregon, on the US West Coast, famous for food trucks, hipsters, roses, museums, rampant creativity and its “Keep Portland Weird” sign. A city that’s lovingly satirized by the absurdly witty TV show Portlandia. A very different place. Right, the universe. Well, just like those of us who have lived in our homes for more than 20 years, the good folks at Portland International Airport (PDX) and the Port of Portland decided it was time to replace the carpet in their terminals. Thanks to a great maintenance program and original design specifications, the carpet had far exceeded its lifetime and was simply wearing out. Back in the 1980s, when it was designed and installed, the carpet’s unique pattern became embedded in Portland’s culture. That original design had a teal background and an abstract representation of the
Follow The Carpet > @NewPDXCarpet > @pdxcarpet > “The Carpet at Portland Airport” on Facebook
Thousands of Instagram users have posted their #PDXcarpet photos through the photo sharing application [LEFT], and the design quickly migrated onto numerous retail products [RIGHT].
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photos: pdxcarpet.com; dan goldgriff; Allyson Cronk Wallace; Ms Lazybone
Overnight, it seemed, social media began to discuss the project.
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airport’s runways and aircraft, inspired by what might be seen on an air traffic controller’s radar screen or from the control tower itself. And while the team at PDX knew that the pattern was beloved by the countless travelers passing through the airport, the decision was nevertheless made to update the color and design of the carpet.
new beginnings PDX wanted to be certain that they had the time to ensure the project’s success, so the process actually started back in 2009. A Portland firm, ZGF Architects, was brought in to update the original design created by SRG Partnership in the late 1980s. In 2012, Hennebery Eddy Architects, also Portlandbased, joined the project to help develop the final product, including materials and construction support. As described by the design team, the new carpet’s look is based on “organic and man-made shapes found within the
Carpets
apex experience
surrounding areas of PDX, including airplane wings, runways, leaves, trails and waterways.” The team selected “mood-enhancing colors … to elicit a calm and inviting environment.” Ommmm. How very Portland. Once the new design was finalized, PDX told everyone what was going on. “We didn’t want anyone to be surprised. So we reached out to the community and updated them on the project,” says Annie Linstrom, spokeswoman for the airport. And that’s when the universe started unfolding. Overnight, it seemed, social media began to discuss the project, and the old and new carpet designs. “The Carpet at Portland Airport” community page sprang up on Facebook and has over 9,000 Likes. It honors “the amazing carpet that tells you that you’re home in Portland.” There’s an Instagram hashtag, pretty well filled with photos of people’s feet on the carpet. Both the old and new designs have Twitter accounts, and there’s an iPhone wallpaper app.
Then it really exploded. First, the pattern showed up on socks. That was followed by T-shirts, coasters, water bottles, mugs, cellphone cases, men’s neckties, infinity scarves, bike shirts, art prints, pillows, beer-can holders, hats, bike helmets, and… fridge magnets. Most of the items were created by people “out there,” without the official sanction of PDX. The Made in Oregon stores saw that something was happening and added a few of the items to their stock of All Things Oregon. “We were taken by surprise at the response. We had no clue that somebody would buy something that resembles a carpet pattern,” says Candace Vincent, the company’s general manager. “People came in asking for the items, and not just at our [PDX] airport store. It seems to be particularly popular with our younger customers – teens, and high school and college kids,” she added. Popular, indeed. The stores have sold over $65,000 of carpet-pattern merchandise, according to Vincent. >
photos: pdxcarpet.com; The Atheltic Community
Most of the items were created by people “out there,” without the official sanction of PDX.
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OnAir Play Now flight time can be playtime
Our wireless entertainment solution can be fully branded by your airline and delivers a rich experience on passenger’s personal devices from customized streaming content, TV on demand to contextual shopping
Inflight wireless products are our expertise
Simply connect to: www.onair.aero
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Carpets
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testing, 1, 2, 3 In 2013, carpet testing began. Robin McCaffrey, PDX’s engineering project manager for the Carpet Replacement Project, explains, “We worked with a number of manufacturers and gave them the performance requirements, including stain, delamination and wear-resistance, and esthetics. They produced carpet samples that met those requirements. It’s definitely not something that you’ll ever find in a catalog.” A portion of the old carpet was torn up in PDX’s Oregon Market area of restaurants and shops, and samples from three carpet manufacturers were installed for over six months. Travelers, visitors, airline personnel and airport tenants were all asked to walk on the test carpeting and comment on the samples. At the same time, the samples were being tortured at Professional Testing Labs, located in the world’s carpet epicenter of Dalton, Georgia. Lab director Lee Phillips explains that “we’ve studied airport traffic, and it can be very different from other commercial-carpet installations. While the foot traffic isn’t very harsh, luggage wheels can put hundreds of pounds of pressure per square inch – PSI – on the carpet.” Among the dozens of ISO and ASTM tests, weighted office chairs were used to simulate rolling luggage and, yes, professional contract walkers abused the carpet on a track. >
#AirportCarpet A few months back, the APEX editorial team was compiling their favorite travel-industry hashtags when we stumbled across the #airportcarpet trend on Instagram. The discovery of more than 1,600 photos of airport carpets from around the world led us down the rabbit hole to #PDXcarpet, a keyword which is currently tagged in over 20,000 images on the photo sharing application.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
I know I’m home when my feet sweep across those welcoming blues and greens. Is it raining? Probably. Are we going to go hiking anyway? Very likely. When you descend into International Arrivals, the carpet pattern changes to soft wavy blues just as the sound of water from the fountain wall reaches your ears. Was this aural carpet synergy intentional? My guess is, most definitely. >Terri
Orlando International Airport (MCO) When I was working on Delta’s Corporate Identity revamp back in 2000, we all struggled with how we would make Delta’s bold red, white and blue colors work with Orlando’s royal blue, teal, dark aqua, hot pink and lavender colors. Hello Florida! > Al
LF Wade International Airport (BDA) No, this is not in fact the gouaches découpés work of the modern master Matisse, but good guess. This undulating, tropicalkaleidoscope-reverie instills an immediate sense of place in its observer: You are here, in Bermuda. Lie down. Roll around a little. Not that much. It’s okay. We’re cool. > Katie
La Guardia Airport (LGA)
“We’ve studied airport traffic, and it can be very different from other commercial-carpet installations. ” Lee Phillips
I couldn’t seem to find carpet amidst the starkness of LGA but I knew I couldn’t leave NY without an #airportcarpet shot. I spotted this royal blue beauty from afar and nudged my way through a boarding line to snap the shot. > Jessica
In case you were wondering, #hotelcarpet, #casinocarpet and even #EXPOcarpet are also popular on Instagram. Since spinning into the wonderful weft of carpet obsessiveness, the APEX editorial team has compiled a robust gallery of some of our favorite personal shots. We dare you not to look down and take a snapshot of your own next time you’re treading along on an #airportcarpet.
View the carpet gallery online at > APEX.AERO/CARPETS
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Carpets
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To test stain-resistance and cleaning, a disturbingly wide range of items were dumped on the samples. “Coffee, mustard, Betadine and cherry Kool-Aid were among the things tested,” says McCaffrey. “Mustard was one of the hardest things to get out.” However, APEX Experience could not confirm that the samples were tested for resistance to a quintessentially Portland stain combination – spilled chai latte and dark-chocolate mocha drinks, mixed with a ground-in bacon-maple bar from Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts!
pattern relief Ultimately, carpet was selected from J+J Invision – not surprisingly, also in Dalton, Georgia and Mohawk Industries in Calhoun, Georgia. “What we ended up with is similar to, but not exactly the same as, what we tested, because the testing helped tell us what we needed to tweak,” says McCaffrey. “It’s a broadloom tufted cut-pile carpet with a relief pattern; some of it is cut and some is looped, because that mixture has a good esthetic and it doesn’t show wear as
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much.” Sixty-three-thousand square yards of carpet will be laid in the project, budgeted at $12.24 million, and much of the work will be done at night to minimize the impact on the airport’s 24-hour-a-day operations. It is expected to be completed before the Thanksgiving 2015 travel crush. The airport is proud of its award-winning record of environmental stewardship, which will extend to this project and the disposal of the old carpet. “Our goal is to recycle all of it, and to keep it out of the landfill at any cost,” says PDX’s Linstrom. Linstrom says the airport will pay tribute to the old carpet with an abstract exhibit by Nancy Wilkins, a Portland printmaker, which is on display in the terminal through to the end of the project. PDX is also thinking about other unique ways to feature the old carpet. But will the new carpet pattern ever reach the cult status of the old one? Made in Oregon’s Vincent thinks so. “We have to be ready for it!” And so she should be, or the universe might be upset. After all, it is Portland.
photos: port of portland
But will the new carpet pattern ever reach the cult status of the old one?
Portland Airport pays tribute to the old carpet with an abstract exhibit by Nancy Wilkins, a Portland printmaker, which is on display in the terminal through to the end of the project.
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Carpets
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Thread Count
See the PDX Carpet Factsheet at > APEX.AERO/PDX
The 63,000 square yards of carpet to be installed in the terminals would cover 34% of PDX’s main Runway 10R/28L, which is 11,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.
11,000 ft x 150 ft
The new design will show up about 249,100 times in the new carpet, not counting the background “relief” pattern.
The new carpet will fill seven, 53-foot tractor trailers.
34% 7 trailers 53 ft
= 1,000 These days, in the average 3-bedroom, 2,400 square foot home, about half the flooring is carpet. The PDX installation could cover about 467 homes.
249,100
= Carpet
2,400 s.f.
= 5 homes
The total weight of the new carpet will be 331,000 pounds, about the same as the takeoff weight of two Airbus A320s (the maximum takeoff weight of an A320 is approximately 162,000 pounds).
467 homes
331,000 pounds
PDX
The most popular “carpet pattern” item sold in the PDX terminal Made in Oregon store is socks. At $20 a pair!
AMS 1
$20.00
4,994 miles
2 3 4 5 6
INFOGRAPH: CLARA PRIETO, PHOTO: AIRBUS
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
PDX 14
14 round trips
Airline Passenger Experience Association
142,000 miles of yarn will be used to make the new carpet. If you tied one end to the tail of the Delta Air Lines A330 that flies from Portland to Amsterdam, the plane could make 14 round trips before running out of yarn!
december 2014 - january 2015
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Q&A
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“
The numberone ability I wish I had is to reshape time and create the 26-hour work day. I’ve always believed that May 32nd is possible.
”
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Q&A
> Fast Facts Frequent Flight:
SNA-SJC
IFE Standby:
The moving map, of course!
Boris Veksler
Best airline industry acronym:
EIS: Entry Into Service
The future of flight will be:
Connected
President and CEO
Betria Interactive, LLC
photo: Amy Graves
Boris has over 20 years of experience developing technologies and applications used by millions of people in the Internet, mobile and in-flight entertainment industries. His recently launched flagship product, FlightPath3D, is considered to be the future of interactive mapping applications and is currently gaining formidable traction in the market.
To read Boris’ full Q&A, please visit us online at > apex.aero /borisveksler
Airline Passenger Experience Association
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hen it comes to in-flight connectivity, what should airlines consider in planning for the future? Airlines’ choices should be informed by their vendors’ technical and operational ability to scale to a higher bandwidth over time and to provide very refined management of that expensive bandwidth. The increasing demands from passengers and the in-flight applications will drive this need. At the same time, there must be a willingness on the part of the airline and their vendors and partners to find ways to offer that same access for as close to free as possible. It is a dichotomy, but connectivity is part of our digital life and is… increasingly becoming an expected part of the standard IFE offering, much like the handout headset became. What’s the one item you can’t travel without? That one is easy: information. Like everyone in my generation and those generations following us, we have become addicted to real-time access to information. I am always concerned about what is transpiring in the industries I work in, in my business and in my personal life. We all establish channels that we depend upon to keep on top of things so we can manage issues, build closer
relationships and stay informed. A few years ago, that “go-to” information-access medium was my laptop, today it is my smartphone, and I expect in the future it will be just credentials that I carry with me. My digital credentials would give me access to my personal digital world through any digital medium available wherever I am in my travels; from clouds to the cloud, so to speak. Talent you wish you possessed? There are a few, but I think the number-one ability I wish I had is to reshape time and create the 26-hour day. I’ve always been a fan of Baron Münchausen and always believed that May 32nd is possible. Until then, I will just have to squeeze [in] those extra couple of hours between work, family and sleep. First travel memory? I was five years old and I was with my parents on a six-person plane heading to one of the Baltic Sea resorts. One of the passengers on the plane was Alexandr Yakovlev, the head of the famous A.S.Yakovlev Design Bureau responsible for building over 70,000 aircraft for both Soviet military and air-transport industries. It is possible that, subconsciously, the brief encounter influenced my future “flight” path. december 2014 - january 2015
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Furniture
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A Plane A Part Around the world, decommissioned aircraft are being given second lives through upcycling initiatives and repurposed as fine art and furniture. by Maryann Simson
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Furniture
photos: motoart; fallen furniture
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december 2014 - january 2015
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hat do Microsoft, Saks Fifth Avenue and Boeing have in common? Aside from the fact that all are large, successful and well-known corporate entities, each of these companies has purchased furniture or art from Dave Hall, his partner Donovan Fell, and the team at MotoArt. The story of MotoArt began 15 years ago in a suburban California garage with a rescued propeller from a WWII airplane. “I thought he was crazy,” recalls Hall of the day when Fell waltzed in with the propeller. “But he took it, he sanded it, he polished it, and the aluminum turned into a mirror finish. It was stunning, that sculpture he created.” Things really took off from there. Originally, the concept behind MotoArt was to work with old automobiles, boats and trains, but the men quickly realized that there was something about aircraft that captured the imagination more thoroughly than any other
apex experience
mode of transport. “Aviation was just so high-flying,” says Hall. “There is something so serious and so wonderful about it. What little boy doesn’t run around the room with his arms up, pretending that he is a plane? We kind of grabbed onto that.” Today the firm has 18 full-time employees, five showrooms around the world, and a list of corporate clientele ranging from computer software giants to aircraft original equipment manufacturers and everything in between. The company has created more than 130 designs in furniture, sculpture and wall-art made of aircraft decommissioned from military, private and commercial services. According to Hall, the durable and lightweight aluminum construction of most aircraft makes them the perfect backbone of lasting furniture and even striking architectural elements. Yet this endeavor is not without its challenges. And the
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The durable, lightweight construction of most aircraft makes them the perfect backbone of lasting furniture. complicated logistics and excessive workhours consumed in the navigation of these challenges tend to result in a sale price most easily digested by large corporations, or particularly prosperous individuals.
MotoArt’s Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Conference Table was formed from a General Electric engine nacelle and can be customized with internal LED lighting.
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photos: motoart, fallen furniture
Furniture
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Furniture
[ABOVE] The Boeing 707 Wheel Table, topped with tempered glass. [RIGHT] Parts are harvested from aircraft boneyards for redesign.
hull harvest
Most final resting places for retired aircraft are in arid desert regions, where the climate helps to preserve the metals.
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Lead times for a piece of MotoArt typically range from 10-18 weeks, from order to delivery. Parts must first be located and carefully shipped from massive aircraft boneyards. In the United States, these final resting places are commonly found in arid desert regions, where the climate works to preserve most metals. When the part arrives by truck at the Los Angeles workshop, the first task is often to strip around a half-dozen layers of epoxy paint from the cowling, fuselage, wing or other section. Next, precision cutting can take up to two days. When the correct dimensions have been achieved, the component (for example, a cowling for a reception desk) is sent to MotoArt’s woodworking shop, where end-caps, desktops and other inserts are made to measure. If the desk will feature a glass transaction top, it then goes back to the metal department, where the standoffs that support the glass are fitted. Again, this
seemingly simple task is deceptively intricate. Aircraft are designed for aerodynamics, and do not generally offer perfectly level surfaces or consistent angles to work with. Finally comes the finishing stage. This is by far the most labor-intensive activity in the creation process, as literally hundreds of hours are often required to achieve the effect desired by a given customer. “A lot of times we get these sections that look perfect, but when we strip off the layers of paint we realize this aircraft has been through numerous hailstorms. We sometimes end up with a rear stabilizer that looks like Swiss cheese with Bondo all over it,” Hall explains. “It’s not as common with the smaller jets like the Gulfstreams, but with the big commercial aircraft you just never know where they’ve been. A lot of times we will try to take out some of the blemishes, but a lot of times we will leave them. These planes have been around the world a million times so each blemish kind of tells a story.” > december 2014 - january 2015
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Furniture
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At Home in the Air
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See more recycled airline products online > APEX.AERO/UPCYCLE
Stylish galley equipment for home and office Bordbar is a purveyor of specially modified airline galley equipment as unique residential and corporate furniture. The company works with both new and secondhand airline trolleys (refurbished in-house) and has even formed partnerships with Lufthansa and Pan Am for special editions featuring iconic brand elements. Possible upgrades include PED docking stations, table-soccer games, cutting board tops, glass panels and LED lighting. Bordbar also has wheel-based and wall-mounted designs made of smaller catering transport boxes. > bordbar.de
Concept design for Jalisco Library & Auditorium In 2005, the city of Guadalajara asked architectural firms to propose design plans for a public library in the city’s northern sector. LOT-EK, an award-winning studio based in New York City and Naples, Italy, submitted plans for a daring structure comprised mainly of 200 Boeing 727 and 737 fuselages. Though they didn’t win that contract, LOT-EK continues to develop similar fuselage concepts including one for a New York City skyscraper. Recently, the firm worked with students at MIT to map an inventory of airplane cemeteries in the western United States and to better understand transportability of the huge structures.
photos: Bordbar; Lucas Goettsche, AIA and David Hertz, FAIA; lot-ek
> lot-ek.com
A place to rest your head A number of exceptional hotel accommodations and homes have been made from aircraft bodies, including an ultra-modern suite inside an Ilyushin Il-18 at Teuge Airport in the Netherlands, a vintage 727 that pokes its nose out from the jungle on a hillside in Costa Rica, and a stunning private residence in California with 747 wings for a roof – by architect David Hertz. > davidhertzfaia.com
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Furniture
Fallen Furniture crafts modern designs out of reclaimed airplane parts, including portions of the fuselage, the engine cowling and exit doors.
new kids on the block
photos: fallen furniture
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in the countryside near the historic English town of Bath, two brothers are leading the charge for a new generation of upcycled aircraft decor. Geared more towards design and art aficionados, Fallen Furniture’s pieces have clear art deco influences and could easily grace the pages of the world’s leading interior-design magazines. With a keen sense of social-media savviness, plus chic concepts and some high-profile customers like Red Bull and Ryanair, this fraternal duo is poised for ongoing success. “I like to think we are going for a very high-end feel with our products … We want to make pieces that are so off the wall that when people see them they will talk about them for years to come. But we also want to make smaller pieces of furniture that are Airline Passenger Experience Association
accessible to most,” explains Harry Tucker, co-founder and director at Fallen Furniture. “We generally let the parts speak to us. We sometimes leave some parts in the middle of the workshop on purpose for a few weeks, looking at them every day until an idea pops into our heads, then we act on it.” Fallen Furniture’s creations, not unlike MotoArt’s in California, are born of parts from both commercial and military aircraft. The men behind Fallen Furniture also agree that buffing out every blemish is no way to honor the legacy of the aircraft, the source of their art. “The inspiration was always there to create something amazing from the old and dying,” says Tucker. “We always like to leave as much character in the aircraft parts as possible; if there is a dent or ding that looks right, we leave it. It tells a story and adds to the authenticity and history of the pieces.” december 2014 - january 2015
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GLIDE IN-SEAT USB POWER
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Travelogue
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SkyMall Was There To celebrate SkyMall’s 25th birthday, our publisher recounts how the catalog has impacted his traveling life... and reveals his shocking secret. by Al St. Germain | illustration Francisco Olea
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Travelogue
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S Along with safety cards and inflight magazines, SkyMall has been a foundational element of the US airline cabin environment for many years.
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ince 1999, I have logged well over one million miles. During that time, I have flown in the front, in the back and in the middle – on airlines that still exist and more than a few that do not. I have witnessed the departure of complimentary meals from the cabin and (kind of) celebrated when the Internet arrived onboard. Through all of these changes, one aspect of air travel has remained constant: the SkyMall catalog. Appropriately enough, in an issue of APEX Experience that explores the impact of architecture on the airline customer experience, SkyMall has been a foundational element of the US airline cabin environment for many years. Along with safety cards and in-flight magazines, SkyMall is part of the visual vocabulary of the seatback pocket. And just as many famous buildings have had their critics, many other writers will “celebrate” SkyMall’s 25th anniversary this year by sarcastically picking out a few items and mocking their usefulness. “Look at this
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ridiculous designer resin-casted crocodile statue,” they’ll say. Others will doubt the practicality of a bacon-scented T-shirt or toaster that creates a silhouette of your favorite dog breed on each slice of bread. I will resist this urge, because I respect SkyMall too much. I have seen SkyMall in action. In the summer of 2001, I was still very much a naïve new business traveler and a SkyMall skeptic. I was perhaps too busy onboard with my complimentary Delta Sky Deli snack bag (RIP) or my copy of Yahoo! Internet Life magazine (also RIP). But that changed when I found myself sitting on a friend’s Indiana lakeside porch one hot summer evening. Mosquitoes will find me and devour me when given even the slightest opportunity – but on this particular evening, they were repelled by a SkyMall-purchased electronic mosquito repellent box that was plugged into a nearby outlet. I enjoyed a bite-free night and my admiration for SkyMall was born. >
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In the winter of 2004, I was in the employ of a major US airline where my co-worker friends and I took frequent advantage of our travel benefits. But on one flight in particular, only one of us took advantage of SkyMall – only one of us used it as a pick-up tool. I sat and watched my colleague in amazement. First, he casually removed the catalog from the seat pocket. Then he thumbed through it with an occasional chuckle. Finally, he arrived at the hook: the Christmas light laser projector, a device that allows you to decorate your house without putting up a single strand of bulbs. “Can you believe this?” he laughed. “Be a man! Put up some Christmas lights!” His laugh was returned by the woman next to him. An introduction was made and phone numbers were exchanged. Airline Passenger Experience Association
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In the early part of 2008, I moved overseas and as a result began extensive international travel. At first I was caught up in the glamor of arrivals in places like Amsterdam, Dubai and Sydney. But something was missing. No longer could I look to SkyMall for comfort after exhausting my other reading material. Instead, I was most often confronted with an 800-page duty-free catalog, of which 700 pages seemed to be dedicated to overpriced skin creams. When I returned to the United States and onboard Internet became a pervasive reality, I began to worry. What would happen to SkyMall? Certainly it would be replaced with online offers from the likes of the Gilt Groupe. I knew that Gilt sells a lot of different things, but do they ever have specials on hand-held bug vacuums? >
Travelogue
My co-worker friends and I took frequent advantage of our travel benefits. But only one of us used SkyMall as a pick-up tool.
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Travelogue
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I make this confession: I have never actually purchased anything from the SkyMall catalog... Until now. Luckily, though, SkyMall is still here. In fact, it is still here as I write this in seat 8D. And from 8D, I make this confession: I have never actually purchased anything from the SkyMall catalog. Like a New Yorker who loves and admires the Statue of Liberty but has never visited it, I have been in awe of this American icon, but have not had the courage to truly interact with it. Until now. My wife will love the set of three “Bigfoot the Holiday Yeti” ornaments that will grace
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our tree this Christmas. (Yes, of course they are cast in designer resin!) I will finally declare my admiration for SkyMall with cold, hard cash. These ornaments will be ordered not via the Internet, but by using the mail-in form found on the back page. I will send a check. And I will be able to head into 2015 with a clear conscience, knowing that I am repaying SkyMall in some small way for the enjoyment it has given myself and other travelers for the past 25 years. Here’s to many more years to come!
See our favorite SkyMall items > APEX.AERO/SKYMALL
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Reading List
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Editors’ Reading List
Read our extra picks at > APEX.AERO/BOOKS
Here in Line for Security Jessica Hagy Delayed at JFK International Airport shortly after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hagy used her unexpected free time to compose poetic portraits of other passengers from “The Business Traveler” to “The Martyr.” Imaginative and voyeuristic, Hagy’s snapshots delve beyond anecdotal and into much deeper observations. > Katie’s Pick
Tell Everyone Alfred Hermida Attempting to understand how the continually shifting world of social media and online interaction is rewiring our brains and behavior is an insurmountable task, but this collection of astute observations is illustrated by an eye-opening collection of real-world examples from recent years. A must-read for anyone with an online social presence – no matter how anonymous you think you are. > Terri’s Pick
Airports: A Century of Architecture Hugh Pearman This beautifully curated coffee table book would make the perfect holiday gift for the #avgeek in your life. History buffs will enjoy the stunning images of airports of the past, while futurists can appreciate Pearman’s insights and predictions on the future of airport architecture. > Jessica’s Pick
Architecture: The Natural and the Manmade Vincent Scully As an architecture major, I was fortunate enough to have taken Vincent Scully’s class. He’s generally regarded as the greatest architecture teacher in the world, and the huge crowds at his lectures attested to that. Although he has several books to his name, this one is the summation of most of his ideas and still sits on my shelf today. > Al’s Pick
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content on the go
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Upcoming APEX Events
> apex.aero
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apex middle east conference 24-25 March 2015 Abu Dhabi, UAE #APEXUAE
3 6 apex multimedia market 20-22 April 2015 Prague, Czech Republic #APEXMarket
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apex tec conference 12-13 May 2015 Universal City, CA USA #APEXTEC
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apex / ifsa expo 28 Sept. - 1 Oct. 2015 Portland, OR USA #APEXIFSAEXPO
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apex / ifsa expo 24-27 Oct. 2016 Singapore #APEXIFSAEXPO
apex asia conference Nov. 2015 Singapore #APEXAsia
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apex tec conference 17-18 Nov. 2015 Newport Beach, CA USA #APEXTEC
Tweeting from one of our upcoming events? Be sure to use the designated hashtag so other members can join the conversation!
next up: the education issue 2015: volume 5, edition 1 Our first edition for 2015 will examine the many ways education is addressed or approached within our industry. You’ll discover how ballet classes might help refine the etiquette of cabin crew members, what chefs do to prepare those dishes for in-flight foodies, and how airlines are working to inform their passengers on a variety of topics using a multitude of means. We’ll look back on coverage of the APEX TEC Conference, and look forward to how our consumption of media and IFE is actually changing how we might produce content and entertainment in the future.
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EXPO Dates: 2016 – Singapore 24–27 October 2017 – Long Beach, CA USA 25–28 September 2018 – Boston, MA USA 24–27 September
VOLUME / EDITION Beginning with our first issue in 2015, APEX Experience will be adjusting the naming convention of the magazine by switching to the Volume/Edition format. We’ve updated our print production schedule in order to better accommodate coverage of key APEX events throughout the year, and as a result our bi-monthly distribution dates no longer align neatly with the calendar months. Please direct questions or concerns to editor@apex.aero
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illustration: freevectormap
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Your Guide to the APEX Avion Awards APEX is a community of high achievers, which is why we recognize members throughout the association. In addition to the Passenger Choice Awards – which recognize airlines based on passenger feedback – we honor those companies shaping the future of the passenger experience each year with the Avion Awards. Unlike the Passenger Choice Awards, which are partly determined by the voting public, Avion Award winners are nominated and selected by your industry peers and press. The two categories cover Best Achievement in Technology and Best Single Achievement in Passenger Experience. A panel of judges comprising journalists and industry experts convenes each fall at
EXPO, and winners are announced at the APEX Awards Ceremony later that week. Also awarded are the Passenger Choice Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Contribution Award and Newcomer of the Year Award. During the coming year, keep an eye out for notable innovations – either within your own company or elsewhere. APEX will begin soliciting nominations in the spring.
a brief history of the avion awards In 2009, the World Airline Entertainment Association’s annual Avion Awards honored the year’s best contributions in in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC).
Read more about the Avion Awards at > APEX.AERO
In 2010, when the association expanded its scope to encompass the total airline passenger experience, and changed its name to the Airline Passenger Experience Association, the scope of the Avion Awards was expanded as well. The Avion Awards are the premier peer-to-peer accolades in the airline passenger experience industry. Award winners have made significant contributions to the passenger experience and have demonstrated a standard of excellence in promoting the industry.
this year’s winners As always, 2014 saw strong competition for the Avion Awards. This year’s winners are as follows: Avion Award, Best Achievement in Technology: ViaSat Inc. Exede In The Air In-Flight Internet Avion Award, Best Single Achievement in Passenger Experience: Norwegian Interactive “geotainment” moving map
photos: amy graves
[ABOVE] Representatives from ViaSat collect their Avion Award for Best Achievement in Technology. [RIGHT] Norwegian took the Avion Award trophy home for Best Single Achievement in Passenger Experience.
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Know Your APEX Committees APEX depends on member participation, especially within member committees. For more information or if you are interested in joining a committee, visit apex.aero or contact APEX headquarters at info@apex.aero.
education Co-Chairs: Kevin Bremer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Mary Rogozinski, Gogo Primary Functions: The Education Committee works to provide year-round educational opportunities for members. It cultivates industry knowledge and helps to establish association objectives.
marketing & communications Chair: Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus Primary Functions: This committee oversees branding, marketing and communications efforts related to both association and industry news. It works to increase brand awareness and ensures that communications reflect the APEX mission and overall objectives.
awards task force Chair: Dominic Green, Thales Primary Functions: The Awards Task Force oversees the Passenger Choice Awards and coordinates efforts to leverage them as a marketing tool for the association.
multimedia market task force events & expo Co-Chairs: Dominic Green, Thales, and Jennifer Clark, Global Eagle Entertainment Connectivity Primary Functions: This committee produces EXPO programming and oversees options for venues and functions. It also ensures that APEX events meet the association’s stated goals and objectives.
membership Co-Chairs: Luay Qunash, Royal Jordanian Airlines, and Brian Richardson, American Airlines Primary Functions: The Membership Committee aims to broaden the membership base for more comprehensive representation – both regionally and from different sectors within the passenger experience industry. It also communicates APEX benefits to existing and potential members.
Co-Chairs: Joan Filippini, Paramount Pictures and Éric Lauzon, Air Canada Primary Functions: This task force works to maximize the value of the APEX MultiMedia Market event and markets it to members. It also helps define the marketplace and involve stakeholders to best serve their needs.
governance Chair: Dominic Green, Thales Primary Functions: The Governance Committee works to ensure that APEX adequately represents every aspect of the passenger experience. It also reviews governance and overall association structure.
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technology Chair: Michael Childers, Lufthansa Systems Primary Functions: This committee develops cutting-edge educational industry resources and works with the Educational Committee to delivery knowledge to the association as a whole.
Co-Chairs: Alfy Veretto, Virgin America, and Brian Richardson, American Airlines Primary Functions: This committee assists in identifying potential candidates for the Board of Directors, as well as aligning the nominating processes with strategic planning.
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Photos: mehran torgoley; peter gallina
nominations committee
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APEX Insights Survey: How Do Passengers Spend Their Time? 2014 marked the launch of the APEX State of the Air Passenger Experience Program, an initiative which periodically surveys flyers to gain valuable insights into passenger wants, preferences and behaviors.
When passengers board a flight, whether it be short-haul or long-haul, they often have an idea of how they plan to spend their time onboard. Airlines offer several options to keep passengers entertained including movies, music, in-flight magazines, games and now, with the increasing availability of in-flight Wi-Fi, passengers have the option to do even more with their personal electronic devices. But just how much time do passengers dedicate to the specific in-flight activities that airlines are heavily investing in? These types of questions are important to monitor
so that the money invested in costly in-flight entertainment (IFE) initiatives measures up to passengers’ expectations. Although “sleeping” was the activity surveyed passengers spent the majority of their time doing (16 percent), “watching provided in-flight movies or television” came in at a close second, with passengers spending 15 percent of their time with the airline embedded IFE system and seven percent with the in-flight magazine. Even newer IFE options such as airline-provided gaming scored a surprising four percent. “Despite the distractions found
in the cabin, a huge element of the in-flight experience is that of waiting, so there’s plenty of room for interactive games at cruising altitude,” said Jordan Yerman in his article “Time to Play” in our recent Journey issue. In fact, 57 percent of all airline passengers said they engaged in in-flight gaming in the last three months.
Read more about how passengers spend their time in-flight at > APEX.AERO/ACTIVITY
In Memoriam Gary Edwards Vanyek Born July 30, 1953 to Elmer Vanyek and Edith Kubany. Gary graduated from Wheeling High School, Class of 1971, then from Electrical Engineering at Purdue University in Indiana in 1975. He was hired at Hughes Aircraft
Airline Passenger Experience Association
(now Rockwell Collins) in 1988, and then went on to work for Thales Avionics in 2004. At Thales, Gary was a key member of the technical staff and a highly visible contributor to the IFEC organization in his role as Design Authority and Systems Expert.
Gary died on July 5, 2014 of a heart attack while bike-riding in Point Loma, San Diego. He will always be remembered as a very kind, giving person who loved in-flight entertainment.
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IFSA
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IFSA World Food Safety Guidelines Update The Government Affairs and Education Committee met in Paris 6-9 October, to make the final revisions and updates to the Word Food Safety Guidelines (WFSG). Airlines, caterers and suppliers from across the world gathered to give input. The meeting was run by Suzanne Fisher of Gate Gourmet and Mary Pat Maher of Flying Food Group.
“The team worked very hard to collaborate on decisions globally affecting airlines, suppliers and caterers,” said Maher. “The commitment and passion to food safety was dynamic and it showed in the head-on approach to tackle tough questions on the practical application of the WFSG. The team did not shy away from taking on
activities that will significantly add value to the next edition of the guidelines.” The updated WFSG will be completed and made available in January 2015. The new edition will also be translated into Spanish.
IFSA Launching New Mentorship Program: Mentees Wanted The IFSA Mentorship Program is a new initiative, designed to bring experienced members of the in-flight services industry together with junior members who are interested in further career development. Please look within your organization and encourage your highly motivated professionals (five years or less experience) to submit their enrollment form. The mentee application is available at ifsanet.com in the Inside IFSA section.
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About IFSA’s Mentorship Program The current mentors are: Peter Wilander, Former Managing Director, IFS Onboard Services, Delta Sandra Pineau-Boddison, Senior VP, United Express Heinz Naef, President, Gourmet Foods MaryAnn Dowd, Senior Manager/ Regulatory Compliance, United Airlines Richard Tuttle, Managing Partner/ CE, RMT Global Partners Tim Baldwin, Senior Manager of Catering, Express Jet Paolo Zambrano, Regional Executive Chef/ Asia Pacific, Gate Gourmet Denise Poole, Chief Executive Officer, AMI Inflight Inc.
We are looking for high performers of the in-flight services industry to apply to the mentee program, as they will be paired with a senior professional. This is a global initiative that is open to employees of IFSA members. This is a great opportunity for junior members to gain valuable career guidance and a framework for career planning through a four-month one-on-one partnership with a seasoned professional. Through a selection process, IFSA will match qualified mentors with deserving mentees who are looking for development in an area that matches the experience of the mentor. Questions? Contact Hope Felshaw at T 1 678 303 3019 or hfelshaw@kellencompany.com
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IFSA
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Join us 28 September - 1 October for the 2015 APEX/IFSA EXPO, the In-Flight Industry’s Premier Event! In 2015 the EXPO will travel to the Portland Convention Center in Portland, Oregon USA. For the sixth consecutive year, IFSA will once again join forces with the Airline Passenger Experience Association. The APEX/IFSA EXPO is designed to assure that all aspects of the airline passenger experience are highlighted, discussed and explored. The entire EXPO – from the floor plan of the exhibition hall to the educational sessions through to the show guide – has been developed around the three core areas of the passenger experience: • Entertainment & Connectivity • Comfort & Ambience • Catering & Services More information will be provided in early 2015. The chair of the 2015 Conference Planning Committee is Jim Ball with Flying Food Group. To be sure that you are the first to know when IFSA booth space is open for booking, please contact Kristi Johnson, IFSA EXPO Manager, at kjohnson@kellencompany.com.
photo: Mehran Torgoley
Become an IFSA Foundation Scholarship Sponsor for 2015 IFSA Foundation Scholarship award recipients have become successful, productive leaders at a number of airlines, catering, rail and supplier companies. And it’s through the IFSA Foundation that your company has the exciting opportunity to recognize exceptional contributors to our industry, people with potential who could have a significant impact on the future of the
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world of in-flight. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $400,000. On behalf of the IFSA Foundation Board, and past and potential scholarship award recipients, we are asking your company to support the IFSA Foundation by giving a tax-deductible donation. Entry level named scholarships can be sponsored for as little as $2,500. However,
please know that any donation amount is always appreciated, and your organization will be publically recognized for its contribution. To become an IFSA Foundation Scholarship sponsor, please contact Hope Felshaw at T 1 678 303 3019 or hfelshaw@kellencompany.com.
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What to look for in the months ahead
Coming Attractions 20,000 Kisses (20,000 Besos) w
Director: Sebastián De Caro Cast: Walter Cornás, Gastón Pauls, Carla Quevedo, Eduardo Blanco Juan is a thirtysomething workaholic who decides to break from the norm and embark on a new adventure. With the help of his new co-worker, Luciana, he manages to turn his life upside-down in this hilarious coming-ofage film.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day w
Director: Miguel Arteta Cast: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Dylan Minnette, Ed Oxenbould, Kerris Dorsey Eleven-year-old Alexander experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life, beginning with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom, dad, brother and sister all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Almost Thirty (Casi Treinta) w
Director: Alejandro Sugich Cast: Manuel Balbi, Gabriel Retes, Eiza Gonzáles, Rodrigo Virago Almost Thirty is a hilarious romantic comedy that chronicles the maturation process and the dreams of those entering their thirties. Distributor: BreakAway International Media Contact: Mehmet Gunduz
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Annie
Director: Will Gluck Cast: Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cameron Diaz Left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with Annie’s mean foster mom Miss Hannigan. But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly veiled campaign move and takes her in. Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Contact: Rana Matthes
Distributor: Disney Studios Non-Theatrical Contact: Ruth Walker
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
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* excluding Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
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photos: 2014 KAFILMS. All Rights Reserved; ©2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc.; 2014 KAFILMS. All Rights Reserved; TM & © 2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Distributor: BreakAway International Media Contact: Mehmet Gunduz
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photos: Courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories; ©Good Films; ©Southport Music Box Corporation d/b/a Music Box Films 2014; ©Good Films; ©Southport Music Box Corporation d/b/a Music Box Films 2014; © 2014 Big Eyes SPV, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Art and Craft
Directors: Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, Mark Becker Cast: Mark Landis Mark Landis has been called one of the most prolific art forgers in US history. His oeuvre spans 30 years, covering multiple styles and periods. And while the copies could fetch impressive sums on the open market, he isn’t in it for money, but instead donates his fakes to museums across the country. Distributor: Terry Steiner International Contact: Nadja Rutkowski
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Banana
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Director: Andrea Jublin Cast: Marco Todisco, Beatrice Modica, Anna Bonaiuto, Giorgio Colangeli, Camilla Filippi A story of a naive young boy, not so good at school, who tries to win a girl’s love. As a fan of the Brazilian football team and with a foot shaped like a banana, he points out the more difficult, honest and vital road to happiness.
Beloved Sisters
Director: Dominik Graf Cast: Henriette Confurius, Florian Stetter, Hannah Herzsprung A romantic drama centered on the love triangle between rising poet Friedrich Schiller and two aristocratic sisters. Distributor: Terry Steiner International Contact: Nadja Rutkowski
Distributor: Encore Inflight Limited Contact: Edwin Cheung * excluding Italy
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Big Eyes
Director: Tim Burton Cast: Amy Adams, Krysten Ritter, Christoph Waltz, Terence Stamp, Danny Huston, Jason Schwartzman A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s. Distributor: Terry Steiner International Contact: Nadja Rutkowski * excluding Canada
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
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Big Hero 6
Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams Cast: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans, Jr., T. J. Miller, Maya Rudolph This action-packed comedy-adventure follows robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who harnesses his genius with the help of his brilliant brother and their friends. When they are catapulted into a dangerous plot, Hiro turns to his robot companion and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes.
Carmina & Amen (Carmina y Amén)
Clouds of Sils Maria
Director: Paco León Cast: Carmina Barrios, María León, Yolanda Ramos, Manolo Solo
Director: Olivier Assayas Cast: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloë Grace Moretz
After the sudden death of her husband, Maria is convinced not to announce his passing until she’s able to get paid the bonus he was due. Over two days, she hides the corpse and masks her mourning from the daily comings and goings of an apartment block in a poor neighborhood in Seville.
At the peak of her international career, Maria Enders is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous 20 years ago, this time as the older Helena. When a young Hollywood starlet is to take on the younger role, Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror.
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Distributor: Encore Inflight Limited Contact: Edwin Cheung * excluding North America, Spain
december 2014 - january 2015
Dracula Untold
Director: Gary Shore Cast: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia, finds his country threatened by a bloodthirsty sultan, who demands 1,000 children (including Vlad’s son) for his army of child soldiers. Vlad must decide whether to give up his son, or seek a demon’s help to defeat the Turks. Distributor: Universal Contact: Phyllis Bagdadi
Distributor: Encore Inflight Limited Contact: Edwin Cheung * excluding US, Canada, France, DROM-POM-COM, Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, Austria
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
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photos: ©2015 Disney Enterprises, Inc.; ©Andy Joke, Telecinco Cinema 2014; ©2014 CG CINÉMA – PALLAS FILM – CAB PRODUCTIONS – VORTEX SUTRA – ARTE France Cinema – ZDF/ARTE – ORANGE STUDIO – RTS RADIO TELEVISION SUISSE – SRG SSR; © 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Distributor: Disney Studios Non-Theatrical Contact: Ruth Walker
Jeff Crawford
• jeff.crawford @ warnerbros.com
aNGeLICa McCoY
• angelica.mccoy@warnerbros.com
wbnts.warnerbros.com
© 2014 Warner Bros. Pictures. All rights reserved.
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Drive Hard
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Dot 2 Dot
Director: Amos Why Cast: Moses Chan, Meng Tingyi, David Siu, Susan Shaw, Lam Tze-chung
Former racecar driver Peter Roberts traded the winner’s circle for a nine-to-five job as a driving instructor. But his life shifts into overdrive when Simon Keller hijacks Peter to be his getaway driver in a $9-million heist.
Chung returns from Canada to a drastically transformed Hong Kong and, hoping to envelop the city in his childhood nostalgia, graffitis a cryptic diagram near every subway station, in the form of dot-to-dot games. Soon, a Putonghua teacher from China discovers and determines to solve these riddles. Distributor: Encore Inflight Limited Contact: Edwin Cheung
* excluding US
Exodus: Gods and Kings w
Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith Cast: John Cusack, Thomas Jane, Zoe Ventoura
Distributor: Entertainment In Motion Contact: Bill Grant
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Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Christian Bale, Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, Joel Edgerton, Ben Mendelsohn, Aaron Paul Using state-of-the-art visual effects and 3-D immersion, Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Contact: Julian Levin
* excluding Mainland China
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The Gambler
Director: Rupert Wyatt Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Jessica Lange Mark Wahlberg moves into dramatic territory with this remake of the 1974 film The Gambler, based on a script from William Monahan (The Departed) about a compulsive gambling college professor who finds his life spiraling out of control. Distributor: Paramount Contact: Mark Horton
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
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W: WorldWide
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photos: Voltage Pictures; ©Dot 2 Dot Production Limited 2014; ©2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved; © 2014 Paramount Pictures
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Hello Ladies: The Movie w
Director: Stephen Merchant Cast: Stephen Merchant, Christine Woods, Kyle Mooney, Nate Torrence, Kevin Weisman, Sean Wing When Stuart learns that his British ex-girlfriend Trudy is planning to visit Los Angeles with her husband (who stole Trudy away from Stuart a few years earlier), he sets out to impress them with his glamorous lifestyle, enlisting a Russian model to play the role of his girlfriend. Distributor: HBO Contact: Kalliope Diakos
Once in a Lifetime (Les Héritiers) photos: © Guy Ferrandis; ©2014 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved; EuropaCorp
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Director: Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar Cast: Ariane Ascaride, Ahmed Drame, Amine Mansari, Geneviève Mnich Anne is more than just a high school history teacher: She actually cares about the troubled, inner-city students she’s supposed to educate. Frustrated by their lack of ambition, she challenges them to take part in a national competition about what it meant to be a teen in a Nazi concentration camp. Distributor: Skeye Contact: Isabelle Bégin * excluding France, Monaco, Andorra, US
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies w
Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans Based on the enduringly popular masterpiece, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, this epic finale to Peter Jackson’s trilogy concludes the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, who joins the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves on a daring quest to reclaim the lost kingdom of Erebor.
The Homesman
Director: Tommy Lee Jones Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, John Lithgow, William Fichtner, Meryl Streep When three women living on the edge of the American frontier are driven mad by pioneer life, the task of saving them falls to Mary Bee Cuddy, who transports them to Iowa. The group must traverse the Nebraska Territories marked by stark beauty, psychological peril and constant threat. Distributor: Entertainment In Motion Contact: Bill Grant
Distributor: Warner Bros. Contact: Jeff Crawford
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
Airline Passenger Experience Association
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N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
december 2014 - january 2015
107
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Horrible Bosses 2
Director: Sean Anders Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine Fed up with answering to higher-ups, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to launch their own business, but a slick investor soon pulls the rug out from under them. Outplayed and desperate, the three wouldbe entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap the investor’s adult son and ransom him. Distributor: Warner Bros. Contact: Jeff Crawford
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The Humbling
Director: Barry Levinson Cast: Al Pacino, Dianne Wiest, Greta Gerwig, Charles Grodin, Kyra Sedgwick After swan-diving into the orchestra pit in the middle of a performance, Simon slides into an intense depression, leading to a spell in a psychiatric facility. Upon his release, he swears to give up acting, but continues to act and rate his “performance” in the theater of everyday life. Distributor: Skeye Contact: Isabelle Bégin * excluding US, Bahamas, Bermuda, France
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 w
Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage. Distributor: Entertainment In Motion Contact: Bill Grant
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I Am Ali
Director: Clare Lewins Cast: Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali Jnr, Hana Ali Muhammad Ali has inspired millions ever since he first stormed onto the boxing scene. Now, for the first time ever, the story of Ali’s personal life is told through exclusive, unprecedented access to his personal archive of audio journals where a never-before-seen portrait of the man behind the legend emerges. Distributor: Universal Contact: Phyllis Bagdadi
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
108
december 2014 - january 2015
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: © 2014 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved; © Christie Mullen; Lionsgate; © 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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Inherent Vice
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Warterson, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Torro Inherent Vice is a noir comedy-thriller set in Los Angeles during 1969 and 1970. The lead role, Doc Sportello, is a detective embroiled in the middle of a kidnapping case. Distributor: Warner Bros. Contact: Jeff Crawford
*
Interstellar
Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Casey Affleck
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The Interview
Directors: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg Cast: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Lizzy Caplan, Randall Park
A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapoport run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show Skylark Tonight. When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists.
Distributor: Warner Bros. Contact: Jeff Crawford
Distributor: Paramount Contact: Mark Horton
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Contact: Rana Matthes
* Outside North America
* US, Canada
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
110
december 2014 - january 2015
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
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Into the Woods
Director: Rob Marshall Cast: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp This humorous, heartfelt musical is a modern twist on beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining plots of classic tales, tied together by an original story involving a baker, his wife and a witch who has put a curse on them. Distributor: Disney Studios Non-Theatrical Contact: Ruth Walker
W: WorldWide
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: ©2014 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved; ©2014 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. OR © 2014 Paramount Pictures; ©2014 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and LSC Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved; ©2015 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
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Keep On Keepin’ On
Kundo: Age of the Rampant
Director: Alan Hicks Cast: Clark Terry, Justin Kauflin, Quincy Jones, Bill Cosby, Herbie Hancock
Director: Yoon Jong-bin Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Gang Dong-won
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A documentary that follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years to document the mentorship between Terry and blind 23-year-old piano prodigy Justin Kauflin as the young man prepares to compete in an elite, international competition.
When his mother and sister are killed by an unjust nobleman, Dolmuchi, born to a poor butcher, joins Kundo in an act of vengeance and unsheathes his sword for the oppressed. Distributor: Emphasis Video Entertainment Limited Contact: Grace Lau * excluding Korea, Japan, Taiwan
Distributor: Terry Steiner International Contact: Nadja Rutkowski
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Lupin the Third
Director: Ryuhei Kitamura Cast: Shun Oguri, Tetsuji Tamayama, Gou Ayano, Meisa Kuroki Interpol Inspector Zenigata begins a worldwide hunt for the infamous thief Arsene Lupin III, and is faced with the challenge of retrieving the “Crimson Heart of Cleopatra,” thought to give its owner control of the world. Distributor: Emphasis Video Entertainment Limited Contact: Grace Lau * excluding Japan
* excluding Canada
A Most Violent Year w
photos: Courtesy of RADiUS-TWC; © 2014 “Lupin The Third” Movie Project; Atsushi Nishijima.
Director: J.C. Chandor Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo A thriller set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city’s history. An immigrant and his family are trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence and corruption threaten to destroy all they have built. Distributor: Terry Steiner International Contact: Nadja Rutkowski
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
Airline Passenger Experience Association
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
december 2014 - january 2015
113
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*
Mr. Turner
Director: Mike Leigh Cast: Timothy Spall, Dorothy Atkinson, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson, Lesley Manville, Martin Savage Chronicling the last 25 years of the painter J.M.W. Turner, who travels, paints, stays with aristocracy, visits brothels, is a popular member of the Royal Academy of Arts, has himself strapped to the mast of a ship so that he can paint a snowstorm, and is both celebrated and reviled by the public and by royalty. Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Contact: Rana Matthes * Caribbean Islands, Eastern Europe, Latin America, US
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My Old Lady
Director: Israel Horovitz Cast: Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas Down-and-out New Yorker Mathias inherits an apartment in Paris from his estranged father, and when he arrives in France to sell the place he’s stunned to find a refined old lady living there with her protective daughter, who by contract can collect monthly payments from Mathias until her death. Distributor: Entertainment in Motion Contact: Bill Grant
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb w
Director: Shawn Levy Cast: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens Get ready for the most wild and adventure-filled Night at the Museum ever, as Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
Ouija
Director: Stiles White Cast: Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff A girl is mysteriously killed after recording herself playing with an ancient Ouija Board, which leads a group of close friends to investigate the board. But they will soon discover that some things aren’t meant to be played with, especially the “other side.” Distributor: Universal Contact: Phyllis Bagdadi
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Contact: Julian Levin
* excluding US, UK
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
114
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december 2014 - january 2015
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: Photo by Simon Mein, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics; Stephanie Merry; ©2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved; © 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved; © 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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The Penguins of Madagascar w
Directors: Simon Smith, Eric Darnell Cast: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Chris Knights, John Malkovich, Benedict Cumberbatch, Annett Mahendru Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private must join forces with the chic spy organization, the North Wind, led by Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then… you know) to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from taking over the world.
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Pride
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Director: Matthew Warchus Cast: Dominic West, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, Andrew Scott It’s the summer of 1984 and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families. As the strike drags on, the two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all.
Rosewater
Director: Jon Stewart Cast: Gael García Bernal, Kim Bodnia Jon Stewart’s directorial debut is based on the true story of Maziar Bahari, a Persian broadcast journalist with Canadian citizenship who was arrested in Tehran by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in June 2009 and interrogated for 118 days. Distributor: Paramount Contact: Mark Horton
Distributor: Entertainment in Motion Contact: Bill Grant
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Contact: Julian Levin * excluding CHINA, KOREA
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Red Sky
Director: Mario Van Peebles Cast: Cam Gigandet, Rachael Leigh Cook, Shane West, Bill Pullman, Brian Krause, Jason Gray-Stanford Disgraced Top Gun fighter pilot Butch Masters leads a rogue squad in recovery of a weapon of mass destruction. Masters must navigate a fractured friendship, a love triangle and must take to the skies to reclaim his military and personal honor. Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Contact: Rana Matthes
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
116
december 2014 - january 2015
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: ©2014 DreamWorks Animation, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved; © Paramount/Open Road Films; ©2013 Swanfleet Holdings Limited, All Rights Reserved; ©2013 Swanfleet Holdings Limited, All Rights Reserved.
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Snow On the Blades w
Director: Setsuro Wakamatsu Cast: Kiichi Nakai, Hiroshe Abe, Ryoko Hirosue, Kichiemon Nakamura Shimura Kingo protects his lord Naosuke II, but loses his master in the battle. As a punishment, he is not allowed to kill himself and receives a secret order to exact revenge. He travels for 13 years to find the last enemy who is a samurai named Sabashi Jubei. Distributor: Emphasis Video Entertainment Limited Contact: Grace Lau * excluding Japan
French Women (Sous les Jupes des Filles) w
Director: Audrey Dana Cast: Vanessa Paradis, Géraldine Nakache, Marina Hands, Laetitia Casta, Julie Ferrier, Isabelle Adjani Paris. The first 28 days of spring. 11 women: mothers, businesswomen, girlfriends, mistresses, wives. Each represents a facet of the modern woman: complex, joyful, hung up, explosive, sassy and surprising. In short, endlessly paradoxical, completely confused, absolutely alive, simply: Women!
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Still the Water
Director: Naomi Kawase Cast: Nijiro Murakami, Jun Yoshinaga, Tetta Sugimoto, Miyuki Matsuda On the subtropical Japanese island of AmamiOshima, traditions about nature remain eternal. During the full-moon night of traditional dances in August, 16-year-old Kaito discovers a dead body floating in the sea. With his girlfriend, Kyoko, he will attempt to understand this mysterious discovery. Distributor: Encore Inflight Limited Contact: Edwin Cheung * excluding France, DROM-Pom-COM, Monaco, Andorra, Japan
*
Taken 3
Director: Olivier Megaton Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker Ex-government operative Bryan Mills has his life shattered when he’s falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he’s pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his “particular set of skills” to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice. Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Contact: Julian Levin * North America, South America, Asia (excluding China), Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, central and southern Africa, Israel and other selected territories
Distributor: Skeye Contact: Isabelle Bégin * excluding France, Canada, Italy, Australia, New Zealand
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
118
december 2014 - january 2015
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
Airline Passenger Experience Association
photos: ©2014 “Snow on the Blades” Film Partners; © Wildbunch Distribution; ©2014 ”FUTATSUME NO MADO” Japanese Film Partners, Comme des Cinémas, Arte France Cinéma, LM; © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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2014-11-05 10:38 AM
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Top Five
The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom w
Director: Chris Rock Cast: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Tracy Morgan, Gabrielle Union, Cedric the Entertainer Top Five follows a superstar comedian who is trying to make it as a serious actor while preparing for his impending wedding with a reality-TV film crew following his every move! Distributor: Paramount Contact: Mark Horton
photos: © 2014 Paramount Pictures; © 2014 Paramount/Sierra Affinity; ©2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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Director: David Cheung Cast: Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Vincent Zhao A witch-like woman becomes a wanted criminal after being framed for the murder of a government official. At the same time, a young man is framed for the murder of the emperor. The two fugitives meet and fall in love, but when she becomes the prime suspect for the murder of Yihang’s beloved grandfather…
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Whiplash
Director: Damien Chazelle Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser An ambitious young musician is struggling to make it as a top jazz drummer when he meets an instructor who leads the top jazz ensemble in the school – known for his teaching talents and his terrifying methods. Distributor: Paramount Contact: Mark Horton * excluding US, Canada
Distributor: Emphasis Video Entertainment Limited Contact: Grace Lau * excluding China
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Wild
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffman, Thomas Sodoski With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Contact: Julian Levin
DISTRIBUTION rights codes
Airline Passenger Experience Association
N: North america
I: outside north amErica
W: WorldWide
december 2014 - january 2015
119
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Ad Index
Advertiser’s Index
december 2014 january 2015
Follow us @theAPEXassoc
Aero Vista Entertainment www.aerovistaent.com > See page 115
Gogo LLC www.gogoair.com > See page 11
Airborne Interactive ltd www.airborne.aero > See page 58
Inflight Entertainment Products www.ifeproducts.com > See Infographic Insert
Arinc (Rockwell Collins) www.rockwellcollins.com > See page 17 Astronics www.astronics.com > See page 50
Avid Airline Productions www.avidproducts.com > See page 37
BAE Systems www.baesystems.com > See pages 4 & 5 Betria Interactive LLC www.flightpath3d.com > See page 29
Carlisle Interconnect Technologies www.carlisleit.com > See page 64
Soundchip www.soundchip.ch > See page 15
Interact www.interact.aero > See page 9
Thales Avionics www.thales-ifec.com > See page 42
Linstol www.linstol.com > See page 20 LSG Sky Chefs www.lsgskychefs.com > See page 39 Lumexis www.lumexis.com > See page 30
E-Leather www.eleathergroup.com > See page 22
Eros International www.erosintl.com > See page 120
Spafax www.spafax.com > See page 95
Jaguar Distribution Corporation www.jaguardc.com > See pages 6 & 7
OnAir www.onair.aero > See page 76
Inflight Peripherals www.ifpl.com > See page 72
Cine Magnetics www.cinemagnetics.com > See page 112 DigEcor www.digecor.com > See page 88
Phitek Systems Limited www.phitek.com > See page 33 Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation www.sonypicturesinflight.com > See page 111
Panasonic Avionics Corporation www.panasonic.aero > See page 124
T-Mobile www.telekom.com > See page 52 Video Technology Services www.videotechnologyservices.com > See pages 47 & 93
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures www.ebvnt.disney.com > See page 109
Warner Bros www.warnerbros.com > See page 105
Zodiac In-Flight Entertainment www.imsco-us.com > See page 27
Paramount Pictures www.paramount.com > See page 123 & Belly Band
Penny Black Media www.pennyblackmedia.com > See page 117
Global Eagle Entertainment www.globaleagleent.com > See pages 2 & 3
Airline Passenger Experience Association
december 2014 - january 2015
121
Throwback
apex experience
All Decked Out
Visit us at apex.aero
For a list of observation decks in operation, visit > APEX.AERO /OBSERVATION
Outdoor observation decks were a common feature in airports during the “golden age” of commercial flying, where families and aviation enthusiasts could congregate in close proximity to the runways. In recent years, these decks have enjoyed resurgence in popularity as airports pledge new spaces for the plane-spotting public.
Perth Airport, originally named Guildford Aerodrome, was built in 1942 and subsequently used as a base for the Royal Australian Air Force until the end of World War II. Commercial flights began in 1944, and the airfield was officially renamed Perth Airport in 1952. An international-domestic terminal was constructed in 1962, where passengers enjoyed a viewing area and openair observation deck that overlooked the two runways and aircraft arrivals area. Observation decks were extremely popular in the 1960s and often generated ancillary revenue as a point of destination for even the non-traveling public, but they were decommissioned as security and airport real estate became top priorities. In recent years it seems there’s been a renewed interest in observation decks, both within the terminals and adjacent to runways, as airports leverage the continued interest in plane spotting as a means to educate aviation aficionados young and old.
[ABOVE] The new public viewing platform at Perth Airport was opened in 2011, and sits alongside the main runway (03/21) where passengers can freely watch the arrivals and departures. The platform has a few interesting features: The shape of the shelter is modeled after the body section of a Boeing 747, and a paved area measures 120 feet in length – which is the same distance as the first Wright Brothers flight in 1903.
If you are an APEX member who is interested in contributing to the Throwback page, please submit your personal stories relating to the airline industry, or a moment or product in aviation history, to editor@apex.aero
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december 2014 - january 2015
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photos: perthairport.com.au; StuRap/flickr; gavin miller/ jetspotter.com
[FAR LEFT] A 1960s postcard shows the proximity of the viewing area to the apron where passengers disembarked from their flight. [LEFT] An aviation aficionado’s diorama of the original Perth Airport; the open-air observation deck is clearly visible in the bottom left corner.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Earn more, every flight. Every time an aircraft climbs to 35,000 feet, you have a unique opportunity to engage your passengers and increase your bottom line. At Panasonic Avionics, we are constantly developing new ways to help you maximize revenue. From broadband connectivity to Near Field Communication (NFC), we’re making revenue generation easier than ever. We’re creating new revenue streams with higher levels of personalization and passenger-specific advertising. We’re enabling real-time credit card transactions so you can offer higher value items from your in-flight shopping catalog. And we’ve designed our solutions so that you can offer items through both the seatback and your passengers’ own devices. So if you’re looking to use the power of IFEC to increase your bottom line, look to Panasonic Avionics and visit us online at panasonic.aero.
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