APEX Experience 8.5 December 2018 / January 2019 by Spafax

airline passenger

volume 8, edition 5 | december 2018 – january 2019

People Business RőFLDO SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKH DLUOLQH SDVVHQJHU H[SHULHQFH DVVRFLDWLRQ

Delivering customer service with a human touch

Problem? INTERIORS

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AD DIRECTORY

Advertisers’ Directory

volume 8, edition 5 december 2018 – january 2019

Ackila

CMI Media Management

Jaguar Distribution

Skycast Solutions

Airborne Interactive

digEcor

LSG Sky Chefs

Skyline IFE

AirFi

Deutsche Telekom

Long Prosper

SmartSky Networks

Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems

Entertainment in Motion

Lufthansa Systems lhsystems.com See page 19

Sony Pictures Releasing

sonypicturesinflight.com See page 91

Emphasis Video Entertainment

NBCUniversal

TQ Group

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics

Viasat

ackila.com See page 41

cminyla.com See page 46

airborneinteractive.com See page 104

telekom.com See bellyband and page 9

airfi.aero See page 73

astronics.com See pages 4–5 and 49

Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification

astronics-csc.com See page 79

Axinom

axinom.com See pages 6 and 7

BBC World News bbc.com/worldnews See page 108

BBC Worldwide bbcstudios.com See page 108

Black Swan Data blackswan.aero See page 10

Bluebox Aviation Systems blueboxaviation.com See page 28

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies

carlisleit.com See four-page gatefold after page 34

experience

digecor.com See page 37

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skyfilms.com See page 101

emphasis-video.net See IFE sponsorship on pages 88–110 and 104

Global Eagle

globaleagle.com See pages 13 and 51

Global One Media

globalonemedia.co.uk See page 26

Images in Motion iim.com.sg See page 103

Inflight Canada inflightcanada.com See page 21

Inflight Peripherals

ifpl.com See infographic after page 66 and page 71

jaguardc.com See page 93

lsgskychefs.com See page 31

longprosper.com See page 87

nbcuni.com See page 97

mcico.com See page 59

Panasonic Avionics panasonic.aero See outside back cover

Paramount Pictures paramount.com See pages 2 and 3

Penny Black Media

pennyblackmedia.com See page 99

PictureWorks

pictureworksindia.com See page 115

Rockwell Collins Inmarsat

inmarsat.com See page 42

rockwellcollins.com See page 17

skycastsolutions.com See page 112

skyline-ife.com See page 111

smartskynetworks.com See page 62

tqgroup.com See page 24

viasat.com See page 33

Warner Bros.

warnerbros.com See page 95

West Entertainment westent.com See page 107

W.L. Gore and Associates gore.com See page 54

Zodiac Aerospace imsco-us.com See page 23

MORE S T H G I S I N

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#morethanjustWiFi

TURN CAPTIVE PASSENGERS INTO CAPTIVATED CUSTOMERS Data-driven passenger experience software solutions 7i Li iÛi `>Ì> Ü `À Ûi Ì i vÕÌÕÀi v y } Ì i ÌiÀÌ> i Ì > ` V iVÌ Û ÌÞ « >Ìv À Ã° "ÕÀ `>Ì> `À Ûi ] Ƃ* 8 ƂÜ>À` Ü } Ã ÕÌ i «Ã > À iÃ VÀi>Ìi > ÌÀÕ Þ «iÀÃ > Ãi` VÕÃÌ iÀ iÝ«iÀ i ViÆ i Ì >Ì } ÛiÃ iÛiÀÞ «>ÃÃi }iÀ Ì i V Vi] V ÌÀ > ` V Ûi i Vi Ì iÞ VÀ>Ûi q Ü iÌ iÀ Ì i > À À Ì i }À Õ `°

www.blackswan.aero

«ÞÀ } Ì ^ Óä£n Ƃ À } ÌÃ ÀiÃiÀÛi`° / i >L Ûi V Ìi Ì À > Þ « ÀÌ Ì iÀi v >Þ Ì Li Ài«À `ÕVi` À ÕÃi` > Þ > iÀ Ü >ÌÃ iÛiÀ Ü Ì ÕÌ Ì i iÝ«ÀiÃÃ ÜÀ ÌÌi «iÀ ÃÃ v >V -Ü> >Ì> Ìi`°

CONTENTS DIGITAL

People Pleasers

volume 8, edition 5 december 2018 – january 2019

Care and service in the passenger experience industry come in many forms. From pre-flight medical checkups and flight attendant efforts to set cabin temperature standards to executive and crewmember tête-à-têtes, every bit helps to set the bar higher for airline hospitality.

The Magic Touch

ILLUSTRATIONS: RICARDO POLO; MARCELO CÁCERES

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK; MOLLY CHOMA; JETBLUE

The trick to better airline hospitality? Personal flourishes and inclusive workplaces, just to name a couple.

FEATURES

C-SUITE

38 Joanna Geraghty

The Routes Less Taken

President and chief operating officer, JetBlue

These airlines aren’t the “ME3,” but they’ve got something else to offer.

43 Giving Back APEX members are invested in PaxEx but they’re also putting time and money toward charitable causes.

68 Virgin America’s Curtain Call Snapshots of the people behind Virgin America

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CONTENTS DIGITAL

volume 8, edition 5 december 2018 – january 2019 STANDBYS 8 Advertisers’ Directory

29 Elevated Pitch Is there a right time to promote a credit card?

14 CEO’s Letter 15 Presidents’ Letters 16 Board News 18 APEX in Action 20 Editor’s Letter

What’s the most memorable airline service you’ve ever received?

32 Packing the Heat

34 Climate Control

AirAsia taps Vice Australia to create a miniseries that lures viewers – with food – to destinations in its route network.

Too hot or too cold? A group of flight attendants have created an app to keep track of extreme cabin temperatures.

80 Headlines

36 Care Package

30 Up and About

82 APEX News

Customers of Immfly’s in-flight entertainment platform can benefit from its service packages, which come in three sizes.

Etihad Airways offers extra assurance for those traveling with pre-existing medical conditions.

86 IFSA News 88 IFE Listings 113 #APEXPOTD

114

Travelogue: Something in the Air

Throwback: Puff Piece

Infographic: Handled With Care

Q&As 52 Peter Nissen President Gotham Studios

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60 Jessalyn Teed

74 Philippe Carette

First Officer Sunwing Airlines

CEO Thales InFlyt Experience

ILLUSTRATIONS: JORGE DE LA PAZ; GERTRUDIS SHAW; OLGA GÜNTHER

27 APEX Asks

PHOTOS: AIRASIA; GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF PETER NISSEN; COURTESY OF JESSALYN TEED; VANCE WALSTRA

22 Featured Contributors

#travelexperience

We live in an era of choice, where options create opportunity.

Airlines demand a reliable IFEC approach that leads to a measurably great passenger experience. Global Eagle is perfectly positioned to deliver this. Let us know how we can help: travelexperience@globaleagle.com

CEO’S LETTER

Dear Members, APEX/IFSA has now grown to become the second largest international airline association and the only one entirely dedicated to airline passenger experience, as cited recently by the United Nations chief of Partnerships. In the spirit of our global advancement, we are proud to announce that the United Nations will closely partner with us, starting in March 2019 at APEX Asia, to shine a positive spotlight on our airlines. We believe that the partnership will enable us to surpass last year’s record airline attendance for the event.

APEX/IFSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR 2019 The first-ever APEX/IFSA Board of Governors convened at EXPO under the leadership of American Airlines CEO Doug Parker with input from top airline CEOs from Aer Lingus, Aeroméxico, Air Canada, LATAM Brasil and Spirit Airlines. During this key meeting, they worked alongside APEX/IFSA leadership to set strategic priorities for the year ahead. These strategic priorities for 2019 include: 1. Advancing passenger biometrics globally 2. Fulfilling the promise of in-flight connectivity 3. Providing greater passenger personalization 4. Setting industry seating measurement standards for passenger comfort beyond pitch Our size and growth have enabled us to secure the massive Los Angeles Convention Center for EXPO 2019, which will feature Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian as the chairman of our Board of Governors and the opening keynote speaker, scheduled alongside a series of amazing executives, including JetBlue president and chief operating officer Joanna Geraghty, and Atlantic Airways CEO Jóhanna á Bergi.

PLANNING FOR OUR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE TOWARD 2025 To better serve our industry, APEX’s Board of Directors will meet at the end of this year to build our strategic vision toward 2025 in close coordination with IFSA. As an example of the incredible progress we have made toward our 2020 growth plan, APEX has pre-sold more than triple our 2015 EXPO advance sales and almost hit our entire EXPO sales plan before the year even begins. For IFSA, the association pre-sold for the ﬁrst time ever with an overwhelming positive reception including a new IFSA “three-day zone” on the APEX show ﬂoor.

LAUNCHING 2019 WITH TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP We continue our CEO keynotes at APEX TECH on January 29–30, 2019, with JetSuite CEO Alex Wilcox unveiling why his JetBlue- and Qatar Airways-backed airline relocated to aviation’s “Silicon Valley” to grow a new $1-billion market, Star Alliance CEO Jeﬀrey Goh sharing how technology has given the 28 member airlines a global passenger service edge, and a series of amazing executive presentations covering everything from content management to emerging technologies. Thank you for the amazing year and here’s to our amazing future working together to advance our industry. Best regards,

Dr. Joe Leader

Chief Executive Officer APEX/IFSA

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PRESIDENTS’ LETTERS

Dear APEX Members,

Dear IFSA Members,

As I accept the role of APEX president, I want to first acknowledge the incredible work and leadership demonstrated by our past president, Brian Richardson. His dedication and expertise has left APEX in a great position for continued success. I have been in the airline industry for more than 20 years, having worked in commercial and airport operations, strategy development, cargo logistics and customer service management at Scandinavian Airlines and Finnair. Now, as chief commercial officer at Finnair, my focus includes brand experience, network planning, global sales, customer loyalty and revenue management, among other responsibilities. It is through this experience that I feel confident leading an association like APEX, which heavily influences the entire global passenger experience industry. Following APEX EXPO in Boston, I am still amazed at the progress airline and vendor members have made to improve the passenger experience. It’s a testament to their commitment to excellence that this year’s event boasted an amazing lineup of six airline CEO keynotes, presenters, attendees, sponsors and exhibitors. I look forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary of EXPO next year by recognizing our past achievements while driving APEX to new heights. Our board will meet in the coming months to map out APEX’s path toward 2025. I am truly excited about what the future holds for PaxEx, which will see data and new technologies provide tailored travel experiences. I look forward to my time as APEX president and all of the success we will experience in the coming years!

IFSA welcomed nearly 800 EXPO attendees, more than 150 airline representatives and 200 exhibitor booths for the industry’s premier in-flight onboard services event. Co-located with APEX EXPO and Aircraft Interiors Expo, the 2018 IFSA EXPO in Boston brought representation from all fronts of the industry to one city. The CEOs from Aer Lingus, Aeroméxico, Air Canada, American Airlines, LATAM Brasil and Spirit Airlines convened at the first APEX/IFSA Board of Governors, chaired by American Airlines CEO Doug Parker. They discussed key strategic priorities for APEX/IFSA to enhance the passenger experience in 2019. On the EXPO floor, IFSA brought a series of inspiring passenger experience speakers, including from Delta Air Lines and Google, and had an interactive panel of industry leaders during our first Technology Feature. We also hosted our Chef ’s Demo with notable chefs from American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The IFSA Foundation reported awarding close to $157,000 in scholarship funds, putting it on track to reach its $1-million milestone in 2019! Thank you to all of our members and sponsors for your continued dedication. Please plan to join IFSA alongside APEX EXPO and AIX Americas in Los Angeles, California, 9–11 September, 2019, for an unforgettable event. Best regards,

Paul Platamone

Best regards,

IFSA President Harvey Alpert & Company

Juha Järvinen

APEX President Finnair

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BOARD NEWS

From Your APEX Board

Juha Järvinen President

Anton Vidgen Vice-President

Finnair

Air Canada

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

CONGRATULATIONS Please join us in congratulating our officers in new positions and welcoming our new directors. This year marked several changes in officer positions on the board including the naming of Juha Järvinen, chief commercial officer, Finnair, as APEX president; Anton Vidgen, director of Brand Experience, Air Canada, as APEX vice-president; and Brian Richardson, director of Aircraft Interiors, Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity, American Airlines, as APEX past president. APEX is happy to welcome the newly elected directors Zina Neophytou, vice-president, Out of Home, BBC Worldwide; and Mary Rogozinski, vice-president, Airlines, SmartSky Networks.

Maura Chacko Secretary

Joan Filippini Treasurer

Spafax

Paramount Pictures

Brian Richardson Past President

Andres Castañeda

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Aeroméxico

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018–2019 board of directors election. The new board members assumed their roles at the AGM in Boston in September. A big thank you to Kevin Bremer, Boeing; and Jon Norris, FlightPath3D; who ended their board terms in September.

American Airlines

THANK YOU TO APEX COMMITTEE MEMBERS Michael Childers

Zina Neophytou

Lufthansa Systems

BBC Worldwide

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

MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Babar Rahman

Mary Rogozinski

Qatar Airways

SmartSky Networks

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

EVENTS APEX holds and supports several events around the globe throughout the year. Upcoming events in 2019 include APEX TECH, 29–30 January; APEX Asia, 12–13 March; and APEX MultiMedia Market, 15–17 April. Visit apex.aero/events to stay up to date! Ingo Wuggetzer Airbus

16 16

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Not sort of connected. Not most of the time connected.

Simply connected. Our product is yours – the passenger experience.

CABINCONNECT™

To her, the best trip is the least eventful. She doesn’t know

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> Global broadband connectivity > Applications and value-added services

SOCIAL

APEX in Action After full days of keynote addresses, industry discussions and business meetings, APEX EXPO delegates gathered at Boston’s bars, restaurants and historical landmarks for some networking and fun.

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

1. Having a great time at the APEX EXPO networking party, sponsored by SmartSky Networks, at the Headhouse Concourse, World Trade Center, in Boston. 2. Per Noren, Global Eagle; Joe Leader, APEX/IFSA; and Juha Järvinen, Finnair; at the welcome reception. 3. Lindsey Green and Melinda MeyerGilmore, Disney; Richard D’Cruze, British Airways; friend; and Chris Hampson, /ÕÀ iÀ y } Ì -iÀÛ ViÃÆ >Ì Ì i L>À frequented by the cast of Cheers. 1

4. Top row: Brad Koberg and Bineeta Singh, Terry Steiner International (TSI); À V > ] V Ài y } ÌÆ > ` 9ÛiÌÌi Mang, TSI. Bottom row: Evelyn Saunders, Warner Brothers (in blue), with companions on either side; Myrna Gabriel, TSI; and Brad Power, Stellar Entertainment. 5. Jakub Borys, Olivier Heliot and Cyril Jean, PXCom; and Jean-Marc Chevassus, IMM Digital.

6. Mariana Peçanha, Touch; Gonçalo Rabiais, TAP Air Portugal; André Valera, Touch; and Miguel Ferreira, TAP Air Portugal. 7. Jason Hau and Kristen Salido, Spafax; Jane Park, WM Group; Alvin Lai, Cathay *>V wVÆ > ` />i - ii] ƂÃ > > Ƃ À iÃ° 8. Loren Bolstridge, Delta Air Lines; Julie Small, Northwest Aerospace Technologies; and Elizabeth Williamson, Astronics.

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PHOTOS: VANCE WALSTRA

Wiﬁ: on

IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

BoardConnect Portable Next Generation Even more ﬂexible, powerful and robust This is the new generation of high-quality IFE streaming with an impressive modular concept. Our new BoardConnect Portable corresponds to a real server platform including all necessary access points. It can support one single-aisle aircraft, even if the airline expects higher usage rates. Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG | Corporate Marketing | Am Messeplatz 1 | 65479 Raunheim info@LHsystems.com | www.LHsystems.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

Care Giving

Contact APEX Media at EDITOR@APEX.AERO

they don’t – heavy handed branding all over a content partnership, according to AirAsia (page 32). Care is also about offering a helping hand. We discovered that many APEX members donate time or money to charities. Some of those stories (pg. 43) begin with one individual’s personal connection to a cause that expands into a company initiative, raising awareness among a wider community. This issue also pulls the curtain back on what it’s like to be an airline crewmember. Molly Choma’s photographs (page 68) lovingly capture her former Virgin America colleagues at work. The exceptional efforts of an airline’s frontline to provide a pleasant journey can often be buried by negative headlines about service, which is why the APEX Heart Awards recognize “everyday airline heroes who fly under the radar.” Actions of kindness and courage might be regarded as “part of the job,” but they make all the difference to passengers, if only because something as small as a smile can turn a bad situation into a better one. Sincerely,

Caroline Ku Managing Editor, APEX Media

ILLUSTRATION: RICARDO POLO

Every interaction a passenger has with an airline is known as a touchpoint. More and more, these touchpoints are becoming automated or digitized: Booking a ticket is an interaction with a website, checking in is an interaction with a kiosk, and raising an issue is an interaction with a Twitter handle. These interactions create a more seamless passenger experience. They also alleviate the need for additional airline staff to perform more routine tasks, and this enables airlines to dazzle passengers at the touchpoints where service with a human touch can really shine, says Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer (page 38). Good service, hospitality and care – the themes of this issue – are skills that can be learned: Airlines send their staff to the Disney Institute to get lessons on how to infuse magic into a greeting or a resolution to a problem (page 55). But those skills can also be qualities that come from within: Some airlines encourage their employees to express their personalities – even while promoting a new credit card (page 29). It’s no wonder videos of crewmembers who add some strut to safety demonstrations or comedy to flight announcements go viral. Care is about observing what passengers want, as Etihad Airways has done with the introduction of its medical services (page 30), and what

Everybody gets a great experience! The Inflight Canada’s Passenger Entertainment and Passenger Services System are designedto fit into any aircraft type or model and is small enough to fit into any seat type or model.

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MASTHEAD

Featured Contributors is a content manager and freelance writer based in London. For her, a good ﬂight attendant observes and knows what you need without you even having to say anything, adding that “a friendly smile never goes amiss, especially when turbulence kicks in.” Some things she’s always wondered about ﬂight attendants are what time zone they set their watches to and how they cope with constant jet lag.

volume 8, edition 5 december 2018 – january 2019

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

EMILY ADAMS

Read Emily‘s work on page 44

Publisher Al St. Germain al.stgermain@spafax.com COVER BY RICARDO POLO

EDITORIAL

PRODUCTION

Director

Director of Project Delivery Alain Briard

Maryann Simson

is a ﬂight attendant and photographer. She says a good ﬂight attendant needs to handle everything – from delays to disruptive passengers – with a positive attitude. Outside the airline industry, she says Disneyland sets the bar high for hospitality standards. “I've watched how cast members treat those with special mobility needs. It allows them to truly enjoy the day with their families.” MOLLY CHOMA

See Molly‘s work on page 68

Read Melinda‘s work on page 76

MELINDA DARBYSHIRE is the managing director of tangerine, an international design consultancy. Although more likely to support a brand whose ethics she admires, she says this doesn’t mean the company has to be charitable. One of her favorites is John Lewis, a UK department store chain founded in 1864, which she says has consistently held high service standards.

is an illustrator based in southern Chile, who thinks “a smile and an extra bottle of water for the ﬂight” could go a long way in improving the passenger experience. Asked if she is more likely to support a brand engaged in charitable eﬀorts, she says, “Absolutely. If I feel that I’m contributing to a good cause, that is a plus.” GERTRUDIS SHAW

See Gertrudis‘ work on page 32

maryann.simson@apexmedia.aero Managing Editor Caroline Ku caroline.ku@apexmedia.aero Deputy Editor Valerie Silva valerie.silva@apexmedia.aero Digital Editor Kristina Velan kristina.velan@apexmedia.aero News Editor Ari Magnusson ari.magnusson@apexmedia.aero Contributor and Special Projects Manager Stephanie Taylor stephanie.taylor@apexmedia.aero Research Assistant Ella Ponomarov Contributors Emily Adams, Melinda Darbyshire, Marisa Garcia, Jasmin Legatos, Katie Sehl, Paul Sillers, Jason Steele, Ali Zafar

ART Art Director Nicolás Venturelli nicolas.venturelli@apexmedia.aero Graphic Designer Angélica Geisse

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

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

Contributors Marcelo Cáceres, Molly Choma, Jorge De la Paz, Olga Günther, Bárbara Malagoli, Ricardo Polo, Gertrudis Shaw, Felipe Vargas, Vance Walstra

FSC-FPO

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ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONS ZODIAC AEROSYSTEMS Connected Cabin Division

Limits? Let’s go!

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AIX 2019 | Hamburg | Hall B1 | Booth 1A20 tq-group.com/aviation

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

WELCOME

Up Next: APEX TECH

APEX TECH returns to the Los Angeles Airport Marriott hotel, 29–30 January 2019. Learn about targeted advertising for in-ﬂight entertainment, listen in on a panel about the advances of MPEG-DASH streaming, and get your head in the cloud for the follow-up to the discussion about the implementation of cloud computing by the IFE industry. For more information, visit tech.apex.aero.

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APEX ASKS

“Being a frequent ﬂyer, I’ve had many memorable airline service experiences, both good and not so good. Surprisingly, the most memorable experiences are when the cabin crew warmly greets me by my name and thanks me for ﬂying with them again. It sounds small, but the impact is meaningful and lasting, and it costs absolutely nothing.”

“Even cheese bread can improve the passenger experience! I once saw a frequent traveler who was angry after baggage issues and hours of security control in a super-crowded terminal. He had no time for the usual visit to the lounge for his favorite Brazilian treat: cheese bread. In the boarding queue, the airline station manager appeared with a gift: a box of fresh and crispy cheese bread and a note: ‘Sorry for the hassle. We wish you a pleasant ﬂight.’”

MIKE DiGEORGE, VICE-PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL AVIATION AND NETWORK SERVICES, ROCKWELL COLLINS

ANDRÉ VALERA, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, TOUCH

“I received a very warm thanks and congratulations via SMS from WOW air just after landing in Paris because we managed a departure of an hour and a half earlier due to expected heavy winds. It’s good to know that the airline cares about its passengers during an unforeseen and disruptive event.” JULIEN SIVAN, CEO, SKYDEALS

“Some time ago, at the Marseille airport, my flight was delayed by 20 minutes, then by another 30 minutes and eventually canceled altogether. The accumulation of delays and false hope generated a heated atmosphere, and we even witnessed strong language exchanged between stranded passengers and airline staff. Delays are not uncommon, and although frequent travelers know they should travel with a book or some other form of entertainment, most passengers don’t. Airlines should leverage mobile technologies to offer entertainment at the gate to reduce the perception of waiting.”

What’s the most memorable airline service you’ve ever received?

“As my wife and I deplaned at Heathrow, our first leg on a trip to Africa, a representative from United approached us to confirm our identities. At first, we were nervous – as that was how security and travel had become during that time (in 2012) – but the representative said United liked to reward loyal customers when it could. She led us out an exit to a waiting black English taxi on the tarmac and then personally drove us to the next terminal to ensure we wouldn’t miss our connection. Inside the car, there was a spread of tea and crumpets. We were exhausted, but couldn’t stop smiling the entire ride. This experience has stuck with me for the past six years, and to this day has kept me loyal to the brand.” JACK SHRYNE, DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PARTNERING, LA STUDIO, DESIGNWORKS

APEX members, usually unfazed by the ups and downs of air travel, recall gestures that left them pleasantly surprised or terribly disappointed.

LAURENT SAFAR, CEO, ADAPTIVE ILLUSTRATION BY BÁRBARA MALAGOLI

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Bluebox IFE More than In-Flight Entertainment

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SERVICE

Elevated Pitch Airline passengers may be the ultimate captive audience, but are carriers going too far with in-flight credit card pitches? BY JASON STEELE ILLUSTRATION BY JORGE DE LA PAZ

Flight attendants have been marketing credit cards for years now, and some passengers have had enough. “These in-flight credit card harangues are beyond annoying,” posted Twitter user @rossgarber in July. Meanwhile, @michaelrubin called the practice “plane-annoying,” adding, “Understand the FA is doing their job but people are trying to sleep/rest.” Part-time travel blogger Andy Luten was particularly disturbed this May when a credit card announcement woke him up 40 minutes before landing on an American Airlines flight: “As a frequent flyer, it’s annoying and invades my flying experience … I hate the credit card pitch because it turns paying customers into marketing collateral.” Understanding that the practice probably won’t disappear, he

implores the airline to limit the window for pitches to right at the beginning or the end of a flight, when passengers are already being addressed. As of September 1, United Airlines began having its flight attendants make similar in-flight announcements about its co-branded credit card. “Our in-flight crew are effective ambassadors, who can

“Our crew are effective ambassadors, who can communicate in the moment the benefits of the United Explorer card.” UNITED AIRLINES

best communicate to our customers in the moment the benefits of the United Explorer card,” reads a statement released by the airline. A spokesperson stressed that the announcements are being made at the beginning of the flight, following takeoff. On the one hand, airline revenue from loyalty programs is growing – largely

thanks to the sale of miles to credit card issuers, reports the Wall Street Journal. And flight attendants are surely happy to supplement their incomes with commissions of $50 to $100 when passengers open new accounts. But airlines may wish to consider the potential downsides of these sales pitches, when customers have their entertainment or sleep interrupted or when interspersing important safety announcements with credit card offers results in passengers tuning out. Southwest Airlines, which boasts J.D. Power’s highest customer-satisfaction rating, doesn’t generally require its flight attendants to make announcements regarding its credit cards or Rapid Rewards program. But when a flight attendant does choose to get on the loudspeaker to market the credit card or program, they are encouraged to have fun with it and “it’s not uncommon for them to do so,” says an airline spokesperson. As for mixing safety announcements with credit card pitches, the spokesperson says the number one purpose of in-flight announcements is to ensure the safety of passengers and crewmembers. APEX.AERO | V8 E5 |

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SERVICE

Up and About Passengers with a pre-existing medical condition may feel uneasy about flying, but Etihad Airways is offering them a service that gives them the assurance and all-clear. BY VALERIE SILVA

“Medical assistance during air travel is an ever-increasing travel need.” DR. NADIA BASTAKI, ETIHAD AIRWAYS

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Dr. Nadia Bastaki (top right), says the Etihad Airways Medical Center was ÀiV } âi` >Ã Ì i wÀÃÌ >iÀ i` V> center in the region in 2015.

“With the increasing rate of medical tourism, medical assistance during air travel is not just a demand but an everincreasing travel need – whether traveling to Abu Dhabi or abroad to seek treatment for medical conditions or going home to see loved ones,” says Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Airways’ vice-president of Medical Services. “Both services will help ensure our guests have a smooth and hassle-free journey, greatly removing unnecessary anxiety they may sometimes feel when traveling.” But if maximum value for money spent is what medical tourists are after, Asian destinations such as Thailand and India – where procedures are a fraction of the cost compared to the already more aﬀordable UAE – may be a better bet. However, these locations can’t compete with the UAE when it comes to hospitality and infrastructure, says Dr. Mishal Al Kasimi, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based Capital Health. “It is a matter of positioning, after all,” Al Kasimi told Khaleej Times. “The UAE would

beneﬁt from promoting the country as one medical tourism destination, perhaps with a focus on aesthetics and more complex specialty procedures.” Marketing these extras is exactly what Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association, did while discussing the trade association’s recent partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, which aims to encourage people from all over the world to come to the emirate for treatment. “The experience isn’t just in the hospital,” he says. “[Attractions in Abu Dhabi provide] a perfect environment because when medical tourists come to a country, they bring their spouse or family members and can spend several weeks in the area.” And while Etihad’s medical services were introduced to ensure passengers feel at ease when airborne, with IATA reporting that the price of a ﬂight diversion can cost up to $200,000, let’s call this extra layer of assurance an added bonus.

COLLAGE: NICOLÁS VENTURELLI PHOTOS: ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Mounting healthcare costs and lengthy wait-lists are among the reasons medical tourism has become a $100-billion business – one booming to the tune of 25 percent year over year, according to a report issued by Visa and Oxford Economics. With the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expected to record a 9.6 percent growth in healthcare spending between 2017 and 2022 – the highest in the region – it’s no surprise the country is already witnessing an influx of tourists seeking everything from major life-saving surgeries to minor cosmetic enhancements. And now, Etihad Airways is giving medically minded tourists another reason to land in the UAE. This past summer, the Abu Dhabi-based flag carrier launched two new services to facilitate the journey for those traveling for pre-existing medical conditions: The first is an evaluation service whereby customers can be seen by one of Etihad’s 12 staff doctors to receive a “fit to fly” status within one day. The second sees customers being picked up at their home or hotel, whisked through boarding and accompanied all the way to their destination by a nurse qualified in aviation and transport medicine.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Packing the Heat What do you get when heavy metal music, painfully spicy Indian food and a cool, millennial-leaning budget carrier collide? Synergy, it seems. BY VALERIE SILVA ILLUSTRATIONS BY GERTRUDIS SHAW

part of Utomo’s journey,” Khaw explains. “If it was something that seemed too hard sell – with us snapping a sticker here and our logo popping up there – it wouldn’t work. It would be too random; it needed to ﬂow naturally.” But airlines steering clear of inyour-face branding risk promoting the destination at the expense of their own brand, so much so that viewers ﬁnish watching a video without even realizing an airline played a part. “That’s a mistake a lot of airlines are making. And with destination content, you’re giving your competitors an opportunity to tap into that,” Khaw notes. With Vice, AirAsia was able to carve out a slice in the middle, where brand integration works for all parties – especially the discerning millennial consumer, Khaw says. “It’s one of the first times we have a content partnership that brought this many eyeballs to our airline.” And with the current popularity of culinary travel among the cohort, the airline has surely left many hungry for more.

PHOTO: AIRASIA

“Tears are literally running down my face,” lead vocalist of Australian metal punk band High Tension’s Karina Utomo says, after taking a bite of a momo dumpling, doused in a ghost pepper sauce. She’s in Bangalore, the second stop of her mission to taste the spiciest foods in India, and has just signed a contract stating that she “will not hold the restaurant responsible for any mishaps, medical or otherwise.” Utomo’s culinary adventure through India is documented in a four-part Vice Australia miniseries titled Hot Heads, the result of a content partnership with Malaysian low-cost-carrier AirAsia. “India was an important destination for us because our Australian customers could ﬂy from, say, Sydney, Melbourne

or Perth to Kuala Lumpur, and then on to India through our Fly-Thru connecting ﬂight program,” says Rudy Khaw, head of Branding, AirAsia Group. “They could then travel within India with our local domestic carrier.” With a risk-taking millennial host, informal – sometimes bleeped profanities – and documentary-style ﬁlmography, Hot Heads is replete with many of the hallmarks of a classic Vice Media production. And that’s by design, Khaw says. “It didn’t make sense for us to be so hands-on because we didn’t want to change the type of content that people go to Vice for. It’s good to leave it in their hands, while giving them some basic guidelines of what would be okay for our brand.” Some of these guidelines included how the AirAsia brand would be integrated into the footage: sparingly, and only when Utomo would logically be interacting with it in her travels. Examples include AirAsia crewmembers welcoming her on board or a map delineating her trajectory with a branded aircraft icon. “We wanted to be

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Life. Uninterrupted.

Check out Viasatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Digital Transformation Podcast series at viasat.podbean.com In the latest episode, called Myth Busters, we address misconceptions in the marketplace about the quality of Wi-Fi in the sky.

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COMFORT

Climate Control One union is hoping data collected from its new app will put the heat on regulators to get cabin temperature just right. BY JASMIN LEGATOS

While aerospace is a highly regulated industry, there aren’t actually any operating standards for cabin temperature in the United States, says Taylor Garland, a spokesperson for the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the union that represents 50,000 ﬂight attendants with 20 American airlines. The general recommendation is that the cabin remains between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24°C), to a maximum of 80 degrees (27°C) – or 85 (29°C) if all 34

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the in-ﬂight entertainment systems are running – but it’s not oﬃcial policy. And that’s something the AFA wants to change. In July, the association released 2Hot2Cold, a mobile app that crew, as well as passengers, can use to record extreme cabin temperatures. Data collected from the app, which at press time had 5,000 downloads, is intended to support a petition the AFA submitted to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting it create a rule to keep temperatures within acceptable levels, Garland says. “We need the data to force the DOT to take action.” The AFA even provided thermometers to its members to help in this endeavor. Extreme temperatures aren’t just a matter of comfort, of course. Last summer a four-month-old baby was rushed to the emergency room after overheating

aboard a United Airlines flight stuck on the tarmac in Denver, Colorado. This happened despite the DOT tarmac delay rule that stipulates airlines keep the temperature comfortable – “But [the rule] doesn’t define what ‘comfortable’ means,” Garland explains. In a written statement, the Federal Aviation Administration says that cabin air quality is top of mind, but that it expects “operators to take appropriate action if a cabin temperature condition occurs on the ground that could potentially affect passenger safety.” The over 2,000 reports already collected from the app don’t all bear witness to extreme variances, but they can help indicate if there are issues with certain aircraft or airports. On a hot day, for instance, the systems of an aircraft that’s soared to 90 degrees (32°C) while sitting on the ground won’t necessarily be able to recover fast enough, especially on short-haul flights. Generally, there are more issues with the smaller regional jets, whose auxiliary power unit systems simply don’t have the oomph to bring temperatures within acceptable levels quickly, Garland says. “What we really want is for this rule to be put in place so that airlines and airports are forced to work together to prevent these extremes from occurring in the first place,” she says, adding that cabin crew do try to take steps to alleviate some of these issues. “If you’re used to hearing the flight attendants ask you to pull down the shades and open the vents above you when you land, that’s an effort to mitigate the [cabin] temperature on the ground.”

“We need the data to force the DOT to take action.” TAYLOR GARLAND, ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

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ENTERTAINMENT

Care Package Immfly’s approach to customer service embraces both physical and digital interactions. BY STEPHANIE TAYLOR

“Each of Mercedes’ Smart, C-Class or SL-Class is providing more or less features based on your needs. With Immfly Care, it’s the same.” PABLO LINZ, IMMFLY

this year’s APEX EXPO, will allow airlines to see for themselves how these initiatives are working. The ability to upload different surveys on the platform means passengers will be able to provide direct feedback on their experience, too. Linz believes the collaborative nature of Immfly Care “is what transforms client relationships into truly potent partnerships,” and with Immfly Active, it looks as though these partnerships are only set to get stronger.

PHOTO: IMMFLY

When it comes to customer care, Immfly is taking inspiration from the automotive industry. “With Mercedes, you can opt for a Smart, a C-Class or an SL-Class. Each is a Mercedes product providing more or less features based on your needs. With Immfly Care, it’s the same,” co-founder Pablo Linz explains. Immfly Care offers three tiers of service for airlines using Immfly’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) platform: Basic, Premium and Elite. While Basic customers qualify for straightforward maintenance, Elite customers have a dedicated team. And Premium offers something in between.

Customers in each tier benefit from quarterly, bimonthly or monthly “steering committees,” depending on their selected care package. These in-person consultations are a chance to review performance reports and come up with ways of increasing passenger engagement. The resulting strategies are varied and customized. For example, last year Immfly worked with XL Airways to implement a Black Friday deal. For three weeks, the carrier offered a 50 percent discount on its premium in-flight entertainment content. The promotion resulted in a 139 percent increase in sales. More recently, Immfly has worked with XL Airways to create a mechanism that can identify VIP passengers and send them a voucher they can use to access premium in-flight entertainment content for free once they board their flight. Immfly Active, a new monitoring and content management portal announced at

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Enabling all airlines to create extraordinary travel experiences

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF JETBLUE

C-SUITE

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C-SUITE

Joanna Geraghty President and Chief Operating Officer, JetBlue Being in the thick of operations and seeing crewmembers at work in the galleys and at the gates provide Joanna Geraghty, president and COO at JetBlue, with invaluable insights into the issues facing the company’s front line. BY CAROLINE KU

or the past few months, reporters have repeatedly asked Joanna Geraghty whether JetBlue will launch transatlantic flights. With routes between the United States’ busiest cities and an expanded winter network to the Caribbean to accommodate snowbird migration, the airline seems ripe to make the leap across the pond. But no matter how many times the question is asked, Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue, does not budge on her answer. “There’s no decision made on whether or not we will fly transatlantic. We are actively studying this possibility,” she says, for the umpteenth time. “If you look at what we were able to accomplish with our Mint experience and how we disrupted the premium space in the US – we think there’s a similar play [to be made with] transatlantic.” Launched in 2014, the Mint experience has been positioned as business class at a lower cost, offering fully lie-flat seats, creative in-flight menus, unlimited snacks, fashionable amenity kits and free highspeed Wi-Fi. The service currently flies on 34 Airbus A321s, and with 13 more of the aircraft in a variety of configurations to be received in 2019, one can’t help but wonder if Mint will operate new nonstop routes abroad. But this is just one of the many things Geraghty has on her mind.

TO-DO LIST This past summer, Geraghty oversaw the transition of JetBlue’s flight catering facilities to a different supplier in three focus cities. She spent time visiting each facility to understand its air traffic patterns and

truck delivery times, and to get a handle on which flights are preloaded in the night for the following morning – behind-the-scenes stuff that is “incredibly critical to on-time departure.” It was a move of such massive scale; “it was probably unheard of at an airline,” she says. Another issue that’s come up: Ground and technical operations crewmembers shared they were uncomfortable wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts while working on the ramp in the heat. This led to a review of the employee tattoo policy, with Geraghty at the helm. Spending time in galleys and at the gates, getting face time with crewmembers, gives her insight into how to manage things at a higher level. “I’m trying to understand what the most pressing issues are for our crewmembers,” she says. “It enables me to really connect with what is going on and to understand the issues facing the front line, because that’s where our customers identify what’s important to them.” The professional experiences that Geraghty racked up at JetBlue before landing her current role in May read as though she was already the understudy for the job, practicing her part on the sidelines until given the chance to perform. As EVP, Customer Experience; EVP, Chief People Officer; vice-president, associate general counsel; and director, Litigation and Regulatory Affairs, Geraghty has amassed nearly 14 years of experience at JetBlue – each job adding another piece to her understanding of the business. “I have a good sense, holistically, of how JetBlue functions, how the different pieces fit into making the organization work,” she says. >

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Joanna Geraghty at JetBlue’s Fly Like a Girl event in 2017.

LEADING BY TEAMWORK

IDENTIFYING THE HUMAN TOUCHPOINTS While Geraghty gets to effect positive change at JetBlue, she also has to acknowledge company-wide efforts to slash $300 million in operational costs by 2020. Job cuts, announced this past July, primarily at the airline’s New York headquarters, were a part of this equation. “These decisions are never easy,” she says. “As an airline ages, there are national cost pressures, whether it’s maintenance or salaries or wages, because your workforce is just becoming more senior, and so we’re constantly making the right decisions for the company so that JetBlue can remain independent into its soon-to-be third decade.” To keep costs low while also delivering a product that reflects what customers want, JetBlue is offloading routine tasks that “don’t add a lot of value to the experience,” Geraghty says. For example, through self-service kiosks, travelers can now check in, tag their bags and drop them off on their own, and thanks to a recently launched website and mobile app, even rebook their own flight if it is canceled. “What adds value are those human touchpoints, and so we’re trying to make sure that we invest in them, while driving transactions to a lower-cost delivery method,” Geraghty says.

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“I’m trying to understand what the most pressing issues are for our crewmembers to really connect with what is going on with our customers.” When asked what motivates her, Geraghty, who also sits on the board of the JetBlue Foundation and is a chairperson at Concern Worldwide US, says it’s the idea of hard work that was instilled in her at a young age. Having held an array of jobs – strawberry picker, salad bar chef, receptionist, ﬂower shop associate – taught her how to understand a situation from a diﬀerent perspective and to work with a variety of people. “Being part of an airline is all about working together,” she says. “If you have knowledge of one another’s role and can identify problems and opportunities not just within your own area but in other areas, too, it makes you a stronger leader across the organization.”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JETBLUE

The passenger lawsuits over hot coffee spilled on an airplane, lost baggage and other accidents Geraghty encountered as a lawyer while representing airlines and airline manufacturers prior to joining JetBlue gave her a peek into the world of airline operations. “I became extremely interested, and that’s when I made the move to actually work for an airline,” she says. Her legal background shines at meetings where the discussion might be about launching a new initiative, to make flying more accessible for people with disabilities or introducing a new frontline procedure. “I have a good sense of the regulatory landscape behind those issues,” Geraghty says, and can “inject a dose of reality as to how something will actually translate in the field.”

In Geraghty’s office, there’s a board pinned with messages from JetBlue customers about the kinds of “things you don’t hear about but provide a tremendous sense of inspiration and pride across the company,” she says. They remind her of what sets JetBlue apart from the rest of the airline industry and are a reflection of the team spirit at JetBlue, which came to light when the airline got involved in posthurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico last year. “[The relief efforts were] largely driven by our incredibly passionate frontline crewmembers,” Geraghty says. They identified early on that there was a need to support the hurricane victims and volunteered to set up and manage supply facilities to distribute water, generators, cell phones, toiletries, baby clothes and diapers. “It’s those kinds of things that you can’t put a price tag on,” she says. “It’s more about the discretionary effort and doing right by others, and how that fuels what JetBlue is: an airline whose mission is to inspire humanity.” In turn, JetBlue was regarded as one of the leaders in that relief mission, offering guidance to other companies that wanted to lend a hand – from doctors to humanitarian relief organizations. “We were seen as that trusted company that you could go to to understand how to best support Puerto Rico.”

PHIL ANTHROPY

Giving Back APEX members do good by working to improve the passenger experience – but also by donating their time and money to the charitable causes they support. ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARCELO CÁCERES

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PHIL ANTHROPY

Joe Carreira, founder of Touch, returns to the orphanage where he grew up to build a school and fortify a community. BY EMILY ADAMS

When Joe Carreira left his home country of Angola, in southwestern Africa, war had broken out – he was an orphan and a refugee. “Where I went to high school, there were a lot of orphans. People didn’t have a lot of money,” Carreira says. It was only thanks to a few wealthy individuals and the support of churches that the school was kept aﬂoat, giving him a better education than he would’ve expected for someone in his situation. “One of the leaders of the schools said, ‘Whatever life teaches you, don’t forget to give back to

Africa what Africa has given to you.’ That stayed with me,” he puts simply. Now with over 25 years of airline and in-flight entertainment management experience, he’s the founder and managing director of content service provider Touch, but his childhood in Angola has always been in the back of his mind. It wasn’t until 2012 that he decided to return to Quipeio, the area he grew up in. Traveling back to his old school, what he found was far more upsetting than he’d expected. “The whole school had been completely destroyed [by the war],” Carreira says. In that moment, it became clear to Carreira that he should be doing something with the money made at Touch. Now, five percent of the company’s profits are put back into Quipeio through the Touch Care Foundation. While the original plan had been to rebuild the high school, the need for a primary school was much greater. Over the past five or so years, the money has been going to the construction of the primary school, as well as food, beds and furniture. Since the beginning,

Next-Gen Engineers BY PAUL SILLERS

Through its 11 subsidiaries across the United States and Europe, power, lighting and connectivity specialists Astronics participates in philanthropic activities tailored to the needs of its surrounding communities and the causes that matter to each subsidiary’s employees. Astronics’ Connectivity Systems and Certiﬁcation

(CSC) subsidiary, for example, has for several years supported the Midtown and Metro programs of the Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF), whose mission is to guide low-income urban youth in Chicago along pathways of success. “One of MEF’s initiatives is oﬀering summer apprenticeship programs for high school students interested in engineering, and Astronics is proud to be one of its summer site visits,” says Michael Kuehn, president of Astronics CSC. The company

Students of the MEF program visiting Astronics’ Chicago facility.

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Father Kutulika; Mariana Levy and Joe Carreira, Touch; and Emilio Sasoma, trustee of the Touch Care Foundation (above). Other photos show what was left of the high school in Quipeio.

provides tours of its plant and gets students engaged, working in teams on an engineering challenge. It all started when an Astronics employee, who volunteers as a tutor at MEF during the school year, became aware of the apprenticeship program and thought Astronics might be an interesting ﬁeld trip for the students. “We believe organizations like Astronics should contribute to their communities and the world at large in ways that are meaningful to their employees,” Kuehn says. “If not for this program, students might not otherwise have exposure to the aerospace industry,” he observes, “and it’s really exciting to think we might play a small part in even one student’s life. It’s also really fun for our employees to talk to the students and show what they do!”

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TOUCH; ASTRONICS; IFPL

Pay It Backward

PHIL ANTHROPY

the company has been adapting and reacting to what the community needs, listening to the problems and ﬁnding practical solutions: from building a new roof for the girls’ dormitory to funding a new tractor to meet agricultural needs – a project Touch is currently working on. For 2019, Carreira says they’re ready to do even more. “One of the things that has been in the back of our minds is that what we are doing doesn’t really solve problems long term.” From introducing special short-term classes given by senior students from the US, Canada and Portugal, to addressing bigger problems in the region, the foundation is developing support for Quipeio that will extend long into the future.

No Man Is an Island BY PAUL SILLERS

Geoﬀ Underwood is the CEO of IFPL, the Isle of Wight-based company specializing in passenger interface solutions for the in-ﬂight entertainment and connectivity industry. But he’s also chairman of the WightAID charitable foundation, which provides funding to charities, groups and organizations that improve the lives of people living on the Isle of Wight. To date, the foundation has donated close to a quarter million dollars to 64 charities. “As my company IFPL has grown, the amount of money we are able to give to charities has grown, too. However, with

While the foundation was born from Carreira’s personal history and relationship with the area, the rest of the Touch team are now getting involved. Unbeknownst to Carreira, one of his employees, Juliana, had been working on a similar project with a school in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). Hearing about her visit, Touch gave her the money to buy hygiene kits, toys, uniforms and furniture for the school; she even had money left to pay for the university tuition fees for two young girls. “Juliana came back a changed woman after she went to eSwatini. We are so much more aware of what is out there

that, the administration required to make all those donations went through the roof. We became inundated with requests from small local charities, groups and good causes,” Underwood says. “Many Island businesses make generous donations to local charities each year, but the whole process can be very time-consuming, so I set up the WightAID Foundation, making it easier for companies to support a whole range of local charities and community groups by making one donation, and the foundation will distribute the funds

in the world, and how we can have such an impact on other people’s lives by doing just a little.” So, does Carreira feel as though he has fulﬁlled his goal? Has he given back to Africa what Africa has given him? He laughs. There’s still a very long way to go, but he remains driven to someday pay for the recovery of the high school. “Above all, Africa gave me an education, which, if I do things right, translates into dividends beyond the ﬁnancial value of what Africa gave me during my childhood in Quipeio. So, I have to be giving them more than what I received at the time.”

WightAID, spearheaded by Geoff Underwood, was launched in 2016.

efficiently and effectively to those that need our support.” WightAID supports a broad spectrum of causes: at-risk youth, crime prevention, victim support, offender rehabilitation, childcare provision and many other causes. “It’s my hope that other Island businesses will join me in supporting our island community,” Underwood says. “I aim to distribute all the money we receive and keep our running costs to an absolute minimum.”

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PHIL ANTHROPY

Women at Work Massive, a company that powers multiscreen experiences, supports the empowerment of women everywhere – whether in the workplace or in war-torn countries. BY ALI ZAFAR

PHOTO: MONILEKAN, WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

It takes an inconceivable amount of strength to overcome the wounds of war. That’s why the nonprofit Women for Women International is supporting victims of conflict through an array of initiatives that get women on their feet after enduring unfathomable violence. “It is difficult to imagine the struggles faced by women survivors of war,” says Derek Ellis, chief creative officer and co-founder of Massive, which has invited representatives from the humanitarian organization to speak at events, providing them with a platform to meet potential donors. The company’s chief operations officer, Monique Ellis, also offers her time and expertise, as a member of Women for Women International’s Leadership Circle. By teaching women how to achieve economic independence and about their rights as citizens, Women for Women International is helping rebuild lives torn

Near and Dear BY PAUL SILLERS

The American Red Cross and the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) Foundation are beneﬁciaries of the philanthropy of Wessco International, a Los Angeles-based supplier of onboard service products.

apart by conflict in several countries, including Afghanistan, Rwanda and Iraq. One of the reasons why Massive, a company that specializes in delivering video entertainment experiences, is supporting the nonprofit is it is reaping the benefits of a diverse workforce: Twentyfive percent of Massive’s 350 employees are women – an eight percent jump from the average in the IT sector in the UK. “This is continually growing, and every day we see the benefits of female leadership, technical expertise and management. We are trying to do our bit to ensure this growth is seen across the world in all communities,” Derek Ellis says. In addition to supporting the nonprofit, Massive has launched a paper, titled Active Inclusion: The Massive Guide to Diversity, that looks at the lack of diversity in the tech industry. “It gives a short introduction

“The most positive outcome of our recent donations was providing refuge, food and relief items to families who ﬂed the California wildﬁres. These contributions to the Red Cross will continue as these families recover and become more resilient against future disasters,” says Bob Bregman, president of Wessco. And referencing the company’s contributions to the IFSA Foundation, which was founded in 2000 to help students and onboard service professionals further their education, Bregman says, “We’ve heard from very grateful students who were awarded the scholarship over the years.”

to diversity and inclusion for anyone who is new to the topic and provides information on what it means to us at Massive, the challenges of working in global tech and achieving a diverse workforce,” Ellis says. Although Massive works with clients from various industries, Ellis says working with the aviation industry – its clients include Emirates, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and International Airlines Group – means taking on exciting challenges. “We bring a lot of best practices and insights into how people consume video entertainment, discover content and tackle accessibility, and how to design inclusive onboard digital experiences,” he says. “We love the complexity of the onboard environment.”

A Women for Women International farm in Nigeria that teaches women how to produce their own crops.

Wessco’s support helps cover tuition, books, living expenses and costs associated with college or other educational opportunities, and is available to IFSA member company employees and their families, and those pursuing an industry-related professional degree in onboard services.

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PHIL ANTHROPY

Take a Seat BY PAUL SILLERS

Pet Projects BY PAUL SILLERS

Every year, employees of Cinesky Pictures, a distributor of independent films to the airline sector and the wider non-theatrical market, select charities that touch them personally. “I feel very blessed by the successes we’ve had as a company and the support we’ve received along the way from the IFE [in-flight entertainment] industry, so I’m very mindful to give back,” says Betsy Hamlin, founder and CEO of Cinesky. Beneficiaries include the LGBTQ+ community through Cinesky’s donations to the Village Health Foundation and Outfest. Last year, Cinesky donated airline tickets to fly Jewel Thais-Williams to London for a screening of Jewel’s Catch One, a documentary based on her life: Thais-Williams helped change laws, save lives and influence communities across LA while running her legendary gay nightclub, the oldest black-owned institution of its kind, for 42 years. In another charitable initiative, Cinesky’s chief financial officer, Lorraine Evanoff (who volunteers at Operation Adopt), was fostering a dog named Scamp when Cinesky’s staff decided to photograph it for the company’s new website. “Scamp ended up in one of the group portraits, and Betsy decided to make a donation to Operation Adopt and use the photo for our 2017 holiday card,” Evanoff says. “In a happy ending, Scamp found a forever home!”

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Transforming Lives With HOPE BY PAUL SILLERS

Cindy Taylor, a consultant at CMI Media Management, volunteers her time and energy to Operation HOPE-Vista, a program for the homeless, that provides a safe haven for families with children and single mothers rebuilding their lives in and around Vista, California. In addition to sustaining the mission of the organization in her role as president of the board of directors, Taylor is hands-on when it comes to preparing and serving meals and interacting with the residents – especially the children. Taylor’s involvement began over a decade ago, when a friend invited her to help organize a fundraiser: “As soon as I met the families who were working to reclaim their independence and I got a chance to play with the kids, seeing how they felt safe and happy, I knew I was going to be a part of it for the long term.” CMI’s co-owners, Haitham Wahab and Ken Wynne, as well others in the industry, support her volunteer work through ﬁnancial contributions, resource donations and encouragement. “Being part of a nonproﬁt organization that gives families in my local community the tools and resources that empower them to become independent is a privilege,” Taylor says.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CINESKY; COURTESY OF CINDY TAYLOR

The Cinesky team, with foster dog Scamp, in the middle.

New York-based film, TV and digital content distributor Terry Steiner International (TSI) designs its exhibition booth for APEX EXPO in such a way that, following the show each year, its furnishings will have a second life in the service of a worthy cause. “We set up our booth to be comfortable, like coming into someone’s living room or dining room, and we donate couches, coffee tables, chairs, pillows and sometimes small dining tables,” Terry Steiner, president of TSI, says. TSI’s office manager, Yvette Mang, selects the recipients of the furniture, which have included homeless shelters and organizations that help families in reestablishing homes. “One year, in Toronto, the woman to whom we were donating our booth furniture showed up and burst into tears when she met Yvette and saw the living room and dining room we were giving her,” Steiner says. “She was a woman who was abused and had just been given an apartment for herself and her two children.”

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PHIL ANTHROPY

Food Forethought BY PAUL SILLERS

In lieu of the usual celebratory activities, in-ﬂight content service provider Images In Motion celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017 with a substantial donation of 1 million Singaporean dollars ($750,000 US) to Food From the Heart, a local charity that distributes basic sustenance to Singapore’s underprivileged. It was an easy decision to make for Pravin Jumabhoy, executive director

of Images In Motion, who plans to retire in March 2019. “Singapore is where I grew up. It’s where I met my wife, where we began Images In Motion and where our three children were born. Visitors to Singapore are struck by the number of elderly who are still working: in food outlets, at the airport – everywhere. This is something that I found hard to accept,” he says. “When we decided

to thank Singapore for helping us survive two decades in business, we knew who we wanted to help.” Food From the Heart helps over 35,000 Singaporeans, and there are similar charities around the world that do the same for their communities, Jumabhoy says. “In our industry, we talk about pax and screenings, and we compete to oﬀer more, so I would challenge everyone to step up – there are millions of people who need help in all of our hometowns!”

Tech Support

BY MARISA GARCIA

Three hundred and forty teachers trained, 70 computer labs created, 1,361 computers installed and 44 Raspberry Pi devices in use. These are some of SITA Air Transport Community Foundation’s accomplishments across Africa, in countries like Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia

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and Zimbabwe. As a result, more than 80,000 students – 51.4 percent of whom are female – have beneﬁted, says Amber Harrison, director, CSR at SITA. Established in 2014, the foundation is committed to sustainable development, gender equality and support of future technology leaders in Africa. It works with established organizations, including Computer Aid International, Promoting Equality in African Schools, the University of the Witwatersrand and the Charities Aid Foundation. “SITA was founded as a community organization, so we are owned by the transport industry and dedicated to it,” Harrison says. “We wanted to really take a look at how we could, as an organization and for the community, address some of the challenges that we see around the growth of aviation. We thought that the big area we could do that in was through education, and through access to ICT [information and communications technology].”

Students from a school in Alem Ber, Ethiopia, that SITA has been working with since 2015.

One of the success stories that Harrison is most proud of is the funding of Makhosazana Moyo’s studies. She was recommended by her teachers for funding while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, and has now gone on to pursue a master’s degree in the same ﬁeld at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. “The teachers said to us, ‘We know that you’re looking for master’s students, but there’s this amazing young woman, a student in Zimbabwe, who’s the top of her grade. She’s one of those students who comes along once in a decade.’ That really sparked our interest, so we agreed to support her,” Harrison said.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SITA

Donating computers and providing educational funding are just some of the ways SITA Air Transport Community Foundation supports tech ed in Africa.

#travelexperience

We live in an era of choice, where options create opportunity.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF PETER NISSEN

Q&A

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Q&A

NOW READING:

Peter Nissen

Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, Douglas R. Hofstadter

PRESIDENT GOTHAM STUDIOS

NOW LISTENING TO:

Tank and the Bangas

Peter is an Emmy-winning TV producer with three decades at networks and shows, including Today, National Geographic, E!, History Channel and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He’s a dad, Broadway actor, a cappella singer, dog owner, Yale grad, software engineer and inventor. Peter married an Eastman-educated composer who’s now also his patent attorney. His company makes the GojiBox in-ﬂight entertainment server.

FAVORITE AIRCRAFT:

Douglas DC-3 PASSPORT STAMP YOU WISH YOU HAD:

Seychelles THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT WILL BE:

Geo-triggered

When and how did you get involved with in-flight entertainment (IFE)? About a dozen years ago, I was flying back and forth between the coasts a lot. I love the window seat, and I’m always wondering what that is down there – that city, that river, that mountain. And it struck me, as a professional storyteller: What if every time you passed a place, you could hear a story about it? Surely, every place has a story to tell. So, with my writers and producers, and some outside engineers, we started to develop GeoRadio. Our goal was to cover the map with audio – to turn the landscape into a soundscape. And as we listened to our first tests, we were excited: This seemed so immediate – it connected us to the world as we had never felt before. We started calling it “geotainment,” and brought it to the airline industry. It wasn’t until this year that we decided that in addition to software, we needed to make hardware: the GojiBox IFE server. The portable wireless IFE business is becoming ever more competitive. What makes your product different from other solutions out there? We have two buttons that no one else has: GeoRadio and geo-triggered points of interest. In 2007, we invented geotainment – that’s audio, photos and video that appear according to your location. And thanks to our substantial

“What if every time you passed a place, you could hear a story about it? Surely, every place has a story to tell.” patent protection, we will remain the only mapmaker with this unique oﬀering. Once you realize that the map itself can be a source of ongoing entertainment, why would you want one without it? I think this approach comes from the fact that we are entertainers ﬁrst, who hired engineers. Where other shops might have rooms full of coders, we have rooms full of writers, audio editors, music editors and photo editors, as well as the engineers. Here, creative ideas, both technical and aesthetic, are always percolating. How can GojiBox help airlines generate ancillary revenue? It’s a fact that the moving map is the number one most-viewed item on an airplane – more than movies, more than magazines. That makes it a powerfully desirable platform for advertisers. If ads were directly on the map, they would

have a huge viewership, and brands would probably pay out the nose for the opportunity. But have airlines offered up that real estate to advertisers? Not so much. I’d guess it’s probably because it might appear crass (“Don’t clutter my information-only map with ads.”). But now, enter Goji. Our map has entertainment embedded right into it, both visual – a pageant of points of interest – and aural – geo-triggered radio shows. Within an entertainment environment, people are used to the occasional banner ad over a photo, or a 15-second audio spot or sponsorship of a point of interest (“The state of Minnesota is brought to you by Land O’Lakes.”) or a whole route (“This trip to Paris is brought to you by Chanel.”). How did you come up with the name “Goji”? A few years back, my wife and I were at a café in Alexandria, Virginia, with, as usual, our miniature wirehaired dachshund resting by our feet. About two drinks in, we started talking big ideas. We had a problem: A client wanted visual points of interest, not audio, but our product’s name – GeoRadio – didn’t fit. What should our new name be? Perhaps an evocative, inclusive word, not too specific, or a nonsense-sounding name that sounds friendly. I looked down at the dog. “What do you think, Goji?”

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HOSPITALIT Y

The Magic Touch Travel companies go to great lengths to train for higher hospitality, from ballet-inspired exercise classes to Disney field trips, but it all comes down to treating people right. BY KATIE SEHL | ILLUSTRATION BY RICARDO POLO

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HOSPITALIT Y

When an airline representative added their name or initials to their first reply, a customer’s willingness to pay for a ticket increased by $14, when compared with unsigned responses. Source: Harvard Business Review

airline known for its high standards when it comes to hospitality. For Celestino, a friendly smile and sincere welcome are all it takes to tickle the old ticker. “That personal touch is what establishes a connection, warms the heart and builds loyalty,” she adds.

Even in the virtual Twittersphere, a little human touch can go a long way. A study published by Harvard Business Review this year analyzed more than 400,000 customer service-focused tweets sent to the top five American airlines and top four wireless carriers, and surveyed the tweeters to determine the effect Twitter customer service can have on perceived brand value. The study found that regardless of initial sentiment, customers who received any form of response from airline reps were willing to pay $9 more for a ticket in the future. Simply acknowledging angry customers boosted brand value by $2, increasing to $6 a ticket if the issue was resolved. Responses to positive tweets reaped the highest reward, with customers willing to pay an additional $28. But perhaps most evocatively, when an airline representative added their name or initials to their first reply, a customer’s willingness to pay increased by $14, when compared with unsigned responses. “When agents sign their name in their tweets or posts, it humanizes them and helps customers feel that the company, or at least someone within the company, is on their side,” explains the report’s authors.

A Savoy-trained butler attending to passengers in Etihad’s The Residence (left). Air Canada Rouge crew training includes a week at the Disney Institute – and a pair of Mickey Mouse graduation ears (right).

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PHOTOS: ETIHAD AIRWAYS; CNW GROUP/AIR CANADA ROUGE

he robots are here and more will be coming. But not to worry, we have something they’ll never have: the human touch. Even a recent headline from the Inquirer cautions, “Robots will steal your job unless you have the human touch.” So what exactly is this corporeal advantage that, it seems, not all humans possess? We humans certainly invest a lot of ﬁgurative stock in this sensorial ability: You can have a light touch, magic touch or Midas touch; you can lose touch, stay in touch, touch base, touch down, touch a nerve or touch a heart. Surely, it’s the last. “In this digital age, there are many things that can be replaced by automated services, but one of the few things you cannot replicate is the way another person makes you feel,” says Linda Celestino, vice-president of Guest Experience and Service Delivery, Etihad Airways, an

HOSPITALIT Y

BE OUR GUEST Hospitality brands have trained their sights on the added value good customer service can bring. More than 2,000 cabin crew have now graduated from Etihad’s Norland College-approved Flying Nanny program, and at least two dozen Etihad butlers have, as of 2015, completed Savoy Butler Academy training in conjunction with the distinguished Savoy Hotel in London. On the hotel side, JW Marriott’s Poise & Grace program had its bellhops and concierges undergo poise, posture and body language training in partnership with the Joﬀrey Ballet. After several highly publicized mishaps, United Airlines sent some 30,000 employees for compassion training and enlisted Special Olympic athletes to provide sensitivity training. But perhaps the most sought-after customer-service expert among North American airlines is Mickey Mouse. Delta Air Lines, Air Canada Rouge and Alaska Airlines are among the carriers that have turned to the Disney Institute for inspiration. As the consulting arm of the Disney empire, known for its topnotch service and ranked as one of the

best places to work, the institute offers tailored leadership, customer service and employee development training for a variety of sectors and customers, from the National Football League to Häagen-Dazs. Tricks of the trade airlines and other brands have picked up from the institute include referring to staff as “cast members” and customers as “guests.” The mantras “It’s not my fault, but it’s my problem” and “The customer might not always be right, but they are never wrong” are advanced with apprentices. Other pointers include using the word “magic” when interacting with guests, accessorizing frontline staff with name tags and teaching trainees to

proactively pay attention to details and remove obstacles. Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is the latest airline to send its staff to the Magic Kingdom. The Florida-based budget airline has put its entire in-flight team through the program and has developed a Signature Spirit Service standard that rolled out in flight in 2017. “In the past few months, we’ve noticed an uptick in the compliments we receive from our guests,” said chief executive officer Robert Fornaro in a memo sent in May. “I’ve received personal letters about our professional crews, our clean planes and how well treated our guests feel.” >

Tricks of the trade airlines have picked up from the Disney Institute include referring to staff as “cast members” and customers as “guests.”

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HOSPITALIT Y

Roughly 30,000 of United Airlines’ customer-facing employees have received compassion training.

A little love from everyone’s favorite mouse can add luster to an airline’s brand if marketed well, but travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt warns that unless Disney’s values are internalized, the polish will fade. “What companies fail to realize when they hire firms like the Disney Institute is that hospitality, guest service and guest satisfaction are core components of Disney’s DNA,” he explains. Companies that fail to ingrain and actively advance a customer service culture ultimately end up with “Disney swag and a big fat bill from the Disney Institute,” Harteveldt says. Spirit seems to have taken Disney’s lessons to heart. In May, the “no frills” carrier launched an Invest in the Guest campaign with commitments to achieve competitive on-time performance, offer travelers more upgrade options, and improve the passenger experience by introducing fleet-wide Wi-Fi. Among cultural improvements, the airline has enhanced modules on anti-harassment policies and anti-bias training, and has prioritized hurricane relief initiatives in support of affected employees and guests.

FRIEND LIKE ME In the people business, ﬁnding the right person for the job is fundamental. Danny Meyer, chief executive oﬃcer of restaurant-service leader Union Square Hospitality Group, advocates for putting 58

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HQ (Hospitality Quotient) technical skills at the top of the qualifications list. According to Meyer, someone with a high HQ is proficient in six key emotional skills – kindness, optimism, work ethic, curious intelligence, empathy and self-awareness – and has integrity. In India, the Taj Group’s refined recruitment strategies involve scouting from small cities where traditional Indian values, such as honesty, humility and respect for elders, are more pervasive. American Airlines has tailored its hiring approach through working with different organizations, such as Veteran Jobs Mission to bring military veterans into its workforce. Partnerships like these that prioritize diversity have proven successful. To turn things around at Continental Airlines in the mid-1990s, chief executive officer Gordon Bethune cultivated a top-down approach to organizational diversity, culminating in the formation of a diversity council in 2000 and alliances with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Black Flight Attendants of America, National Black MBA Association and National Society of Hispanic MBAs. A work culture that values diversity will excel at catering to a diverse crowd. Plus, customers are more comfortable with businesses that reflect the makeup of their communities. Regional Canadian airline Jazz asserts that its diversity and inclusion efforts give the carrier a competitive edge. In recent

years, the airline’s work with indigenous, disability and LGBTQ+ communities have helped improve representation. After launching its Women in Aviation initiative in 2014, the airline has seen the quotient of female employees rise to 37 percent, 30 percent of whom are managers. “Facilitating inclusion by acknowledging the unique and diverse perspectives of all individuals creates one incredible team of employees – and we celebrate that,” says Colin Copp, the company’s president. Perks that promote collaboration keep employees happy, and customers happy in turn. A recent study by Cloverpop found that inclusive teams make better decisions 87 percent of the time and deliver 60 percent better results. In 1996, Continental introduced an incentive program that rewarded each employee with $65 every month the airline ranked in the top three for national on-time arrivals. In a 2001 article, the airline’s director of diversity and fair employment practices told Ad Age, “Employees tell us these programs have driven home the importance of looking at the person next to you as a team member, regardless of their ethnicity or lifestyle.” In the end, what can be more human and more magical than that?

Inclusive teams make better decisions 87% of the time and deliver 60% better results. Source: Cloverpop

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Q&A

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Q&A

Jessalyn Teed

LOCATION:

YYZ

FIRST OFFICER SUNWING AIRLINES

FAVORITE AIRCRAFT:

Boeing 737 WINDOW OR AISLE?

Jessalyn attributes her early professional aspirations to a community pilot association at a small airport in Muskoka, Ontario. After attending the University of Waterloo, where she studied geography, she completed ﬂight training and began working as a ﬁrst officer at Sunwing Airlines.

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Why did you decide to become a pilot? There are a few reasons. First, it was my experience at the age of eight when I had the privilege of going on a Young Eagles free flight for kids out of Gravenhurst Airport, in Muskoka, Ontario. I felt sheer joy along with amazement when the wheels lifted off the ground. After that, it was thanks to members of a community pilots association who shared their passion and love for flying. It made me want to be a part of it. I loved the idea of helping others get from Point A to Point B and doing it by way of a mode of transportation that makes our world so much smaller and more accessible. I was also encouraged by women who spoke of the shortage of women in the industry and cheered me on in my pursuit. It was inspiring to see female pilots, and I strived to join them, and in turn encourage other young girls in their pursuit and set fire to their passion. In 2017, I was honored to be recognized by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation for women in aviation as the Rising Star in Canada for my passion and accomplishments thus far in my career. How can the industry encourage more young people to take up the profession? One of the best ways is by giving them a taste of it. I caught the travel bug at a small airport offering free flights for kids.

“I loved the idea of helping others get from Point A to Point B and doing it by way of a mode of transportation that makes our world so much smaller and more accessible.” The training itself comes at a price, so to be able to experience ﬂight without the added price tag would be a great opportunity for young people.

are beginning to find alternative ways to recruit pilots. Sunwing has developed a cadet program, partnering with flight schools across Canada. I was selected as one of the cadets in 2017 and underwent six months of intensive training, completing my Boeing 737-800 type rating, and now work as a first officer at Sunwing. What’s something memorable that you’ve observed while flying? One of my favorite things to observe in flight is my beautiful “office” view. From seeing the northern lights on a flight to Calgary, to a red-eye flight where I chase the sun westward and then see it rise in the east just a few short hours later, it never ceases to amaze me. Best spot for planespotting? On a sunny day, I grab some snacks and head to a rooftop that overlooks Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. It’s picturesque.

Did you choose the airline industry or did it choose you? The airline industry chose me, but I would have chosen it eventually! I am very fortunate and grateful for the opportunity that Sunwing Airlines gave me after graduating from the University of Waterloo. Previously in the industry, it would take pilots many years to work their way up to the airlines. Due to the pilot shortage that Canada is facing, airlines

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MIDDLE EAST

1. King Abdulaziz International Airport 2. Bahrain International Airport 3. Muscat International Airport

IATA expects an extra 290 million air passengers in the Middle East within 20 years.

The Routes Less Taken What do Gulf Air, Oman Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines all have in common? They aren’t – and don’t aspire to be – the ME3.

PHOTO: ALAMY

BY VALERIE SILVA AND STEPHANIE TAYLOR

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MIDDLE EAST

hen travelers think of airlines in the Middle East, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways – also known as the “ME3” – likely come to mind. They’ve been winning over passengers for years with luxury cabins, impeccable service and the promise that a transfer in the Gulf could get you anywhere you want in the world. That promise has helped them cope with an economic downturn in 2017, stay afloat amid a now resolved years-long spat over government subsidies with the American big three and stave off rumblings of impending mergers. By fleetsize, passenger numbers and destinations served, the ME3 continue to dominate the region, but recent headlines from Gulf Air, Oman Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines suggest that these long-standing, though smaller, regional players may be ready to step out of the shadows – without stepping on anyone’s toes, of course.

DESTINATION CREATION If the success of the ME3 rests on the airlines’ positions as gateways to far-ﬂung destinations, then Oman Air is following 64

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a different playbook. New chief executive Abdulaziz Al Raisi says the flag carrier, unlike its counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, is now rolling back its reliance on transfer traffic. “With sixth-freedom traffic, you are going into competition with a lot of giant airlines, big players. It’s very hard for us as a small airline to survive in that market,” Al Raisi told Arabian Aerospace. “So, we are trying to make Oman Air a destination airline … We all know Oman is a country that gives a lot of things to tourists, or to any visitor. Considering our neighboring countries, I think Oman has more to give than anybody else.” A destination model – similar to that of Icelandair, Al Raisi says – seems wise, given that Oman, with its 52 aircraft, simply can’t keep up with its neighbors in terms of discounted transfer flights. But we’d be wrong to interpret the move as an admission of defeat. In fact, Al Raisi’s revised direction comes on the heels of a new aircraft delivery. The carrier’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner began operating between Muscat and London on July 1, ushering in a three-class configuration, developed in

collaboration with Teague and Rockwell Collins, for the first time in the airline’s history. The Dreamliner is equipped with eight first-class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, each enclosed by a 55-inchtall door and featuring a 180-degree lie-flat bed, which, set in an 82-inch pitch, Oman Air claims is among the longest available in commercial air travel. The 787-9 also features Aria, a new in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that Kurt Henry, program manager at Thales InFlyt Experience, says is the result of a “co-creative” process between Oman Air and the company’s User Experience Center of Excellence team. The final product uses graphic animation, background images and content-updatable features such as background and menu lists with translucent overlays. “We collaborated with the Oman Air team to create a [user experience] that represents the very fabric of Oman’s culture and warm hospitality across the different sections of the [user interface]. Our goal was to ensure that anyone flying on an Oman aircraft is introduced to its tranquil pace, spectacular landscapes and travel destinations,” Henry says.

PHOTOS: OMAN AIR; SAUDIA

The Aria IFE system will introduce passengers to Oman as a travel destination.

MIDDLE EAST

With plans to expand its footprint to 39 million passengers by 2030, and a newly built $1.8-billion Muscat International Airport to support it, it’s clear the airline is settling in for the long game. After all, “Oman Air is very well known for its steady growth,” Al Raisi told Arabian Aerospace. “We don’t want to grow really fast. We are doing it very wisely.”

YOUNG AT HEART Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, is the brand most positively spoken about among millennials in the desert country, followed by iPhone and Apple, according to data collected in the 52 weeks up to August 31, 2018, by YouGov’s tracking tool, BrandIndex. “The dominance of technology brands in the rankings suggests that youth today are constantly engaging with technology,” said Scott Booth, the company’s head for the Middle East and North Africa region. “These brands have been able to build a positive image among the digital natives.” Saudia’s position on the list is telling. In May, the airline, working with SITAONAIR, introduced 10 megabytes’ worth of free WhatsApp messaging on domestic ﬂights. The following month, free WhatsApp access was expanded to include

->Õ` čÀ>L >½Ã y>} carrier is the brand most positively spoken about > } i > Ã in the country.

“We don’t want to grow really fast. We are doing it very wisely.” ABDULAZIZ AL RAISI, OMAN AIR

international flights. The airline very quickly saw “over 50 percent of passengers flying with Wi-Fi completing the two-step login process to access the specially created plan on the Saudia in-flight web portal,” says Jaan Albrecht, the airline’s CEO. And by September 15, when Saudia expanded the social messaging service to include iMessage and Facebook Messenger, half a million passengers had already experienced the free WhatsApp plan. WhatsApp is also proving to be a useful resource for Saudia on the ground: Since it began handling customer service queries through the platform in January 2018, the airline has resolved over 220,000 cases. Depending on the query, a problem can be solved in between two and 10 minutes. Throughout 2018, the carrier expanded its capabilities on WhatsApp to deal with medical service requests, special meal requests and students’ concessionary

tickets. Gold members of Saudia’s Alfursan loyalty program can make or modify reservations and have their tickets reissued, if needed. If Saudia’s social prowess wasn’t the cause of the chatter, its one-year-old lowcost carrier marketed toward the country’s digitally savvy under-30 demographic – which accounts for roughly 58.5 percent of Saudi citizens – might be. Based out of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, flyadeal’s offering is single-class and entirely à la carte – unlike several other budget airlines in the area, such as flydubai and flynas, that have adopted more hybrid models with business-class products or tiered pricing, for example. While sharing news that the carrier plans to welcome an additional 50 aircraft to its fleet, the airline’s CEO, Con Korfiatis, referred to flyadeal’s unlikely beginnings. “We launched the airline entirely through social media. As far as we know, it’s a global first and we haven’t had to move away from that [method],” he told Arabian Aerospace. The carrier turned to its followers again in February to crowdsource a design for its staff uniforms – an exercise that garnered more than 700 submissions from more than 140 young Saudis, the airline says. > APEX.AERO | V8 E5 |

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Handled With Care BY CAROLINE KU | ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLGA GÜNTHER

It takes a whole lot of collaboration to pull off a humanitarian airlift mission. There’s the procurement of supplies and personnel and planning of logistics – all under the time pressure of an emergency. Here are a few occasions airline cargo divisions were called on to deliver help around the world.

MISSIO M ISSIO N N 3 3 Bring aid to South Sudan, where failed crops and ongoing conflict are leading to internal displacement affecting seven million people. The flight departed from London and arrived in Juba (via Nairobi) in September 2018. Partners: Airlink, Flexport, International Health Partners, International Medical Corps

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

CARGO CARGO

BOEING 787 & 737

ROUTE ROUTE

3,300 3,300 lb lb

M M II S SS S II O ON N 11

PLEASE DO REMOVE THIS SPREAD FROM MAGAZINE

Transport construction and household supplies in August 2018 to support low-income families affected by the devastating storms and lava flow of the Kilauea volcano.

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

LONDON LONDON

ROUTE ROUTE

ATR 72

MISSIO M ISSIO N N 4 4

Partners: City Mill, Hope Services Hawaii, Kauai Habitat for Humanity

HONOLULU HONOLULU

LIHUE LIHUE & & HILO HILO

CARGO CARGO

To Lihue:

To Hilo:

Partners: Pakistani government

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

CARGO CARGO

BOEING 737-800

34 34

volunteers

1,000 1,000

water filtration kits

ROUTE ROUTE

1,815 1,815 lb lb

of furniture for 20 micro-houses built by Hope Services Hawaii to shelter families affected by the Kilauea volcano lava flow

23 23 boxes boxes

of school supplies, collected by Hawaiian Airlines employees, delivered to Pahoa Elementary

500 500

portable solar chargers NEW NEW YORK YORK

GUATEMALA GUATEMALA CITY CITY

MISSIO M ISSIO N N 5 5

M M II S SS S II O ON N 2 2 Deliver temporary shelters to displaced survivors after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit parts of Pakistan in January 2016, following another devastating earthquake that occured about three months earlier.

Hand carry supplies via volunteers on a commercial flight to Guatemala in July 2018, after the deadly eruption of the Fuego volcano, which affected more than 1.7 million people. Partners: Airlink, World Hope International

1,020 1,020 lb lb

of construction tools (50 boxes) packed by City Mill employees for Kauai Habitat for Humanity to repair homes damaged by devastating storms

JUBA JUBA

of medicine to treat parasitic and fungal infections, basic medical supplies and stethoscopes provided to the International Medical Corps

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

CARGO CARGO

BOEING 2475 & 747-400F

9,000 9,000

rescue tents

Deliver relief to southern Laos in July 2018 after a saddle dam of a hydroelectric power project burst, unleashing floods that nearly submerged six villages, affecting 13,000 people.

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

CARGO CARGO

BOEING 747

100 100

boats

Partner: Lao government ROUTE ROUTE

Spare engineering equipment

DESTINATION* DESTINATION*

500 500 tents

SHANGHAI SHANGHAI

ISLAMABAD ISLAMABAD

VIENTIANE VIENTIANE *ORIGIN *ORIGIN OF OF FLIGHT FLIGHT UNKNOWN UNKNOWN

100 100

water purifiers

D E L I V E R I N G A N O U T S TA N D I N G PA S S E N G E R E X P E R I E N C E T O G E T H E R

CHARGE TO CHARGE PROVID ING ANCIL L ARY REVENUES FROM USB P O W E R • Pay for USB power

• Launch adverts

• Display promotional offers

Handled With Care

Payment Details

P A Y V I A O N L I N E B O OK I N G O R A IR L IN E S A P P W IT H

• Credit card • Voucher • Status • Miles

Total Price

B O A R D F L IGH T

When disaster strikes in a remote area, airlift is often employed to provide relief. BY CAROLINE KU | ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLGA GÜNTHER

POWER ON

P L U G IN

• Launch advert • Display promotion • Pay for power onboard SPONSORED BY

TRACING BACK It may come as a surprise to some that Bahrain was among the first nations in the Middle East to establish a flag carrier, in 1950, and that by the 1970s, it had the most developed commercial aviation network in the region. At the time, Gulf Air was a trendsetter that “set the bar high for luxury and glamour in the skies,” says Matt Round, chief creative officer of tangerine, the design firm responsible for the airline’s new cabin interiors. In fact, it wasn’t until the early 2000s, when Bahrain’s neighbors established their own national carriers, that Gulf Air lost some of its prestige. But with the appointment of Krešimir Kučko, the former boss of Croatia Airlines, as Gulf Air’s new chief in November of last year came an ambitious expansion plan that includes the revival of the carrier’s longhaul network, the rollout of 39 new aircraft by 2023 and the introduction of a renewed brand identity. The first aircraft to feature Gulf Air’s updated branding, including a fresh livery and new cabin interior with Thales AVANT

“You need to have your niche. We are not going to fight the big-three guys” KREŠIMIR KUČKO, GULF AIR

IFE, was a new 787-9 on the airline’s doubledaily Bahrain–London Heathrow route. Although the aircraft has 282 seats in a two-class configuration – 26 Rockwell Collins Serenity suites in business class and 256 Recaro CL3710 seats in economy – representing a 32 percent increase in capacity compared to Gulf Air’s previous wide-body offering, the airline worked with its seat suppliers and tangerine to ensure a feeling of spaciousness. “Our Serenity product offers all-aisle access, which is an amazing experience for passengers. The flip-down footrest increases comfort in bed mode by providing an uncompromised and complete sleeping surface while also improving ease of ingress and egress,” says

Charles Barresi, vice-president and general manager of Executive Aircraft Seating, Rockwell Collins. “These features were key objectives for Gulf Air.” But every effort to optimize comfort was paired with “heart,” which, Round says, encompasses Arabian hospitality, the modern sights and culture of Bahrain, as well as its historical traditions. Examples include references to the traditional sport of falconry – such as rich brown leather detailing evocative of the falconry glove, and a feather-shaped pattern on materials across the cabin – as well as an iridescent graphic on the bulkhead that “references the way sunlight glints off the surfaces of the cities that have emerged from the desert sands,” Round notes. Hitherto loss-making, Gulf Air appears to have earned a profit this year, Kučko said at the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conference in October. But budget remains tight, Kučko insisted, adding, “You need to have your niche, and cost control. We are not going to fight the big-three guys … We are looking for a global footprint – with small feet.”

Gulf Air’s redesigned interiors incorporate references to the modern sights and culture of Bahrain, as well as its historical traditions.

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PHOTO: TANGERINE

MIDDLE EAST

WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS*

Visit: apex.aero/directory As an APEX Member, gain instant access to the most exclusive airline industry directory today! *New Member inclusion is based on the time between 15 July - 24 September 2018 and the members who provided logos

PHOTO ESSAY

Virgin America’s Curtain Call It takes a flight attendant with a passion for photography to capture what it’s like to work behind the curtain of the airline passenger experience. PHOTOS BY MOLLY CHOMA

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Yesy sitting under the reading light.

PHOTO ESSAY

A lot of emotions were felt on April 24, 2018, the day of the last ticketed Virgin Ƃ iÀ V> y } Ì vÀ SFO to EWR (top).

A crewmember looks through the exit-door window during landing. This photo was taken through purple Plexiglass from the back row (bottom).

hotography was a way for former Virgin America ﬂight attendant Molly Choma to pass some time while sitting on reserve. She enjoyed taking pictures of travelers at the airport, but wanted to get closer to her subjects – and then she realized her subjects could be her colleagues. “I just brought the camera to work and we had fun. It was never meant to be anything more than pictures of my coworkers for my coworkers,” Choma says. But two years after she began working as a ﬂight attendant, Choma, who is trained in graphic design, wanted to test her creative side. She joined the airline’s training department as a graphic designer and was tasked with taking headshots of all Virgin America employees. >

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PHOTO ESSAY

Crewmembers running orders during dinner (left).

Clem, one of Virgin America’s wÀÃÌ Ài` « ÌÃ] stands in front of Ì i V V Ì> w Ì « À } Ì®°

Crewmembers in Miami waiting to be selected for aircraft evacuation drills (bottom).

Over the four-month span of the project, Choma refined her eye for understanding people, a skill she first picked up as a flight attendant. By reading the faces of passengers, she could determine what they needed before they even told her. She applied this thinking to portrait sessions: Details such as a person’s attitude, an immaculately ironed shirt or a tightly cinched belt served as “micro-social cues” that whispered to her how the individual wanted to be photographed. “The crowning achievement was if someone made their portrait their Facebook profile photo,” Choma says. Eventually, Choma felt the itch to travel again and went back to being a flight attendant. She splurged on a better camera that could handle the low, pink and purple lighting of the cabin. And with more photography experience, she learned to manipulate the “natural light” in the aircraft using reading lamps and the tinfoil used to cover hot meal trays. >

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D E L I V E R I N G A N O U T S TA N D I N G PA S S E N G E R E X P E R I E N C E T O G E T H E R

CHARGE TO CHARGE P R O V ID I N G A N C I L L A RY R E VE NUES F R OM US B POWER • Pay for USB power

• Launch adverts

• Display promotional offers

1 Payment Details

Total Price

P AY VI A ONLI NE B OOK I NG OR AI R LI NES AP P WI TH

• Credit card • Voucher • Status • Miles

BOARD FLIG HT

POWER ON

PLUG I N

• Launch advert • Display promotion • Pay for power onboard

T: +44 (0)1983 555900

I F P L .C OM

E:innov ate@ifpl.com

PHOTO ESSAY

When Virgin America, which was acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016, flew its last flight under the “Redwood” call sign in April this year, Choma, who had been with the airline for nine years – almost as long as its existence – turned to photography to reflect on how special her colleagues were to her and how she had met some of her best friends on the job. “My mom has very few pictures of herself when she was a flight attendant,” Choma says. “I think I always knew this experience [with Virgin America] wasn’t going to last forever. Part of it was just trying to preserve what I could.”

Betsy adjusts her high heel (top left).

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Timot prepares to collect throwaway items during an iÛi } y } Ì (top right).

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Torri cleans a lavatory while Bre looks on (bottom).

PHOTO: VANCE WALSTRA

Q&A

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Q&A

Philippe Carette CEO THALES INFLYT EXPERIENCE

LOCATION:

SNA YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY:

30+ SEATBACK OR PED?

Both

With more than 30 years in the aviation industry, Philippe previously held several leadership positions within Thales, including head of the electrical systems business, and vice-president and managing director of the commercial avionics unit.

What have been your main areas of focus since becoming CEO of Thales InFlyt Experience in July? I’ve been focused on leading the strategic corporate initiatives within the business that will spur greater competitiveness, customer satisfaction and long-term market leadership. Thales is working diligently to optimize the passenger and airline experience through digital transformation, and as such, I am also driving the digitalization of our portfolio and connected in-ﬂight entertainment platform, to deliver innovative, marketdriven solutions and reliable services that bring value to our global airline customers. This includes our InFlyt360 digital platform, which allows airlines to continuously improve the passenger experience with features such as personalization, monetization, fresh and dynamic content and better engagement. How have your previous roles at Thales helped you in this area of the business? I have spent more than 30 years in the aviation industry, along with previous experience at Thales as the head of the commercial avionics unit. From this, I have gained a deep understanding of the cabin and cockpit environment, as well

“It’s inspiring for me to know that I’m a part of creating the in-flight travel experience of the future.” as the beneﬁts of connectivity for both passengers and crew. I have focused my career on excellence in execution and customer service, and I look forward to bringing this experience and global perspective to work for the beneﬁt of our customers’ success. What excites you most about your new role? Thales InFlyt Experience operates in a highly competitive industry where the cabin environment is constantly evolving. We have the ability to leverage all of Thales’ capabilities and create innovative technological advancements that provide the best user experience, grow loyalty and bring value to the airline. We’re continually transforming our business

WINDOW OR AISLE?

Aisle THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT WILL BE:

Customized

to not only adapt to these conditions, but to anticipate the future for our airline customers and their customers. It’s inspiring to know that I’m a part of creating the in-flight travel experience of the future. What’s something that never ceases to amaze you about the industry? I’m always amazed at how rapidly our industry changes. For example, in the last five years, the number of connected commercial aircraft rose from 3,300 in 2013 to 7,400 in 2017, according to Euroconsult. By 2027, it estimates that the total number will be more than 23,000 aircraft. This exponential growth requires trusted providers to bring new and innovative business models to the industry and to become close partners with airlines, developing solutions that support their brand and the expectations of their customers. Passengers expect an in-flight connectivity experience similar to that available in their homes or offices – with streaming, social media, shopping and the ability to connect via messaging and apps. Thales brings all of these to the market and will continue to enable airlines to provide a truly engaging and personalized experience in the air.

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TRAVELOGUE

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TRAVELOGUE

Something in the Air Melinda Darbyshire, managing director of tangerine, revisits the legacy of her grandmother – a woman who flew in some of the earliest aircraft but never actually set foot outside England during her 84 years. BY MELINDA DARBYSHIRE | ILLUSTRATION BY FELIPE VARGAS

orn in the village of Hamblele-Rice in rural Hampshire at the end of the 19th century, my grandmother was the youngest of eight children in a family of master builders. As a product of the Victorian era, as well as the youngest sibling and a girl, she was expected to stay at home to look after her aging parents. But she had other ideas – and there was an airplane manufacturer in town. Back in 1915, Alliott Verdon-Roe, who had completed the first flight of a Britishdesigned aircraft powered by a Britishmade engine over British land in 1908, bought 100 acres of farmland with his brother in that tiny village my grandmother called home. Some five years earlier, the pair had formed the world’s first registered airplane manufacturing company (A.V. Roe and Company, later known as Avro), and now, in Hamble-le-Rice, they built the factory and drawing office where my grandmother would find a job. “Smashing the glass ceiling” wasn’t part of a young lady’s vocabulary in 1920s England, but there must have been such hope after the war, with women’s dress attire changing and the advent of emancipation. And working at A.V. Roe – doing something that wasn’t expected of her, being associated with so many different airplanes and bearing witness to people experimenting with all aspects of flight – must have sounded exciting to her.

So to the shock and displeasure of my great-grandparents, my grandmother, with two of her childhood girlfriends, Edith and Dolly, decided to take up jobs as tracers at A.V. Roe’s drawing oﬃce. Long before the advent of computer-aided design, they meticulously traced over and copied shapes and detailed speciﬁcations of the designs that had been created by A.V. Roe’s aircraft draftsmen.

Grandma may not have raked in many flight hours, but it’s exciting to think she bucked social norms. Working in a male-dominated environment had another clear advantage: It was here that Grandma met and then married Grandpa, Leslie Ash, a decorated World War I pilot with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Edith, meanwhile, met and later married a young draftsman named George Dowty, who, at 21, designed his ﬁrst landing gear at A.V. Roe and went on to form the Dowty Group after having designed the world’s ﬁrst internally sprung aircraft wheel. A keen aviator, Grandpa was set to follow his father into engineering, but having hoodwinked the authorities into believing that he was 18, he won

his commission into the RFC and flew reconnaissance during World War I. During this time, Grandpa made sorties to the Isle of Wight to collect Avro 504 aircraft from S.E. Saunders, another local aircraft manufacturer. Several years after the war and following a stint in India, he was working on the island when a chance encounter with company founder Sam Saunders, who recognized Grandpa from the RFC, led to a job as a test pilot. It was around this time, in 1929, that Roe acquired S.E. Saunders. Grandpa must have seemed a heroic and well-traveled figure to my grandmother, who married him in 1932 and eventually stopped working to bring up their daughter, my mother. He remained at what was now Saunders-Roe until his retirement, flying over 10,000 hours in 100 different aircraft types. Grandpa was later awarded the MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for service to aviation. My grandmother may not have raked in as many flight hours, but it’s exciting to think that she bucked social norms, went up in some of the world’s earliest aircraft and worked with pioneers of aviation’s early years. It came as no surprise that my mother also went on to marry a pilot who had adventures of his own, flying members of the Royal Family on official engagements with the Queen’s Flight and becoming the flying “minder” of HRH Prince William of Gloucester in the 1960s. >

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TRAVELOGUE

Growing up surrounded by the sound of night flying and “air talk,” it never occurred to me that I would choose a different path. But in 1970s Britain, with three million people unemployed, I saw London as the route to a degree and career, and I chose law. Working in the rights department at a publisher of computer magazines was a far cry from aviation, and breaking with family tradition once more, I met and married Martin, a designer, who, in 1989, set up a design consultancy, tangerine, with the best man at our wedding. Their first acquisitions were two drawing boards – perhaps there was something in the air after all? Young and determined, Martin and his partner quickly made their mark, luring Apple and LG as early clients. But it was only a decade later, when British Airways (BA) chose tangerine to find “the holy grail of airline travel sprinkled with a bit of pixie dust,” that they made their first foray into aviation. At the time, I was taking a break from doing PR for a number of design agencies, including tangerine – a job I started after I had my first son – to manage our growing brood of four boys. They’d gleefully trample over BA’s LOPAs (Layout of Passenger Accommodations) spread out on our sitting room floor, as my poor husband pondered over a solution for the airline. Tangerine ultimately created the Club World seat, in the innovative yinyang format, the first fully lie-flat seat in business class in the world. 78

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I had been at home five years, with my youngest now in elementary school, when a friend offered me a part-time job in her publishing firm. Fast-forward 10 years and I ended up selling foreign rights all over the world. During this time, tangerine became a limited company and I also became the company secretary. I juggled the sorts of things a company secretary does with the publishing job and raising the boys. It was only four years ago that I left publishing to work more fully at tangerine, taking on the role of managing director. My duties? Working on the business side of things and looking after tangerine’s prospects in the air! I’ve been airside at airports, seen assembly lines at Airbus and visited international air shows. I am even working to get members of the UK aerospace industry to adopt a uniform brand identity to help propel us through the turmoil of Brexit. It makes me cross to think that we are a nation of aeronautical engineers and aviators and yet have no unifying visual element that brings us together. That’s why I am on the committee of the Aircraft Interiors Group at the ADS Group, a trade organization representing the aerospace, defense, security and space industries in the UK. Tangerine has even created some logos and brand identifiers to encourage dialogue and get the ball rolling. It’s a thrill to be so immersed in the world of aviation, and every time I see

The WWI commemorative coin designed by tangerine.

PHOTOS: MELINDA DARBYSHIRE

Grandma and Grandpa in an airplane, circa the 1930s.

a LOPA or a seat in 3-D CAD, I think of Grandma. “Duckie, don’t let the boys see that you can beat them,” she’d certainly say if she saw me now. She wrote that very line in a letter to me at boarding school when I told her that I beat the boys at table tennis. It always stuck with me. Sadly, Grandma didn’t live to see me marry, and so didn’t get to know about Martin and his aviation experience. But if she had ever had the chance to sit in the Club World seat, she would have probably hugged herself and chuckled. The second-generation Club World seat now sits in tangerine’s studio, and while working on this article, I discovered that the funny little seat in my grandparents’ shed was a “state-of-the-art” passenger seat from a Saunders-Roe seaplane of yesteryear. How neat it would have been to see the two together in one space. And how funny the circle turns, when I step back to look at a century of aviation. Coincidently, this year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Royal Air Force, which replaced the RFC at the end of World War I, when my grandfather was an active member. To commemorate the RFC’s role during the war, the Royal Mint decided to commission a commemorative coin and opened the line for design submissions. The Queen herself had to approve the design, and tangerine’s was chosen. I was so excited tangerine won the commission – especially for Grandpa. As for Grandma, I’m pretty certain that if born today, she’d be up there with gold epaulets and a captain’s hat. But she probably wouldn’t have had quite as much fun flying a great big bus in the sky as taking off in an airfield with a gallon of petrol in her tank and belly-flopping a seaplane in the water before refueling and taking off again.

NEWS

Headlines

Top news stories from the airline and passenger experience industries

PANASONIC AVIONICS UNVEILS FIVE WELLNESS SUITE PRODUCTS Panasonic Avionics has unveiled a new product suite for NEXT, its in-flight entertainment and connectivity platform. The Wellness suite, announced at APEX EXPO in September, offers premium lighting, active noise cancellation, air cleansing using nanoe technology, a health app from Detalytics and sound personalization from Mimi. Panasonic says it has undisclosed launch customers for all the products, and commitments for 2019 and 2020 deliveries. “We’re not wellness experts,” Andrew Mohr, Panasonic Avionics’ head of Innovation, said, “but what we’re really good at is building platforms, and so we have built a platform that wellness and health advocates and experts will be able to endorse and enrich.”

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expects free in-flight Wi-Fi to become a reality in the future. Speaking at Skift Global Forum, he said, “I don’t know of anywhere else besides in an airplane that you can’t get free Wi-Fi,” adding that the complimentary service would be a step change in the relationship between the airline and its customers.

AIRBUS NAMES ITS NEXT CEO Airbus has named Guillaume Faury as its next CEO, replacing Tom Enders in April 2019. Before taking charge of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft division in February 2018, Faury served as head of the manufacturer’s helicopter division. He also worked as a senior manager at Peugeot and Eurocopter.

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AER LINGUS REFRESH TO INCLUDE FREE IN-FLIGHT WI-FI FOR ECONOMY PASSENGERS Starting in 2019, economy-class passengers booked on Aer Lingus flights can expect a free 20-megabyte Wi-Fi package and complimentary alcohol with meals, said the airline’s chief executive officer, Stephen Kavanagh, at APEX EXPO. These changes are part of a brand refresh that will also include 12 new Airbus A321neo long-range aircraft, a redesigned livery and new cabin crew uniforms. However, the CEO will not be around for the implementation of these changes; Kavanagh will be stepping down on January 1, 2019, to be replaced by British Airways’ director of Network, Fleet and Alliances, Sean Doyle.

PHOTOS: VANCE WALSTRA; AIRBUS; AER LINGUS

DELTA PREDICTS IN-FLIGHT WI-FI WILL BE FREE IN THE FUTURE

NEWS

LIKE THE PIC, BOOK THE TRIP: EASYJET CONNECTS ITS APP TO INSTAGRAM

DELTA TO LAUNCH FIRST BIOMETRIC TERMINAL IN THE US AT HARTSFIELDJACKSON Delta Air Lines, in partnership with United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is launching the country’s first biometric terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta, Aeroméxico, Air FranceKLM and Virgin Atlantic customers departing on international flights will have the option of using facial recognition technology at self-service check-in kiosks, TSA checkpoints and boarding gates in Terminal F. The technology will also be used by CBP to process international travelers arriving in the US.

EVA AIR AND DESIGNWORKS COLLABORATE ON NEW BUSINESS-CLASS SEATS FOR 787 EasyJet has added a new feature to its Apple iOS mobile app that lets users find and book destinations based on Instagram images. With Look & Book, users can upload inspirational travel photos from the social media platform to easyJet’s app, which will match the picture to a destination and generate suggested travel dates and fares, with the ability to complete a booking. The tool was developed by VCCP, the airline’s creative agency, in partnership with Travelport Digital.

EVA Air debuted a new business-class cabin on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered on October 2. The aircraft is configured with 278 economy seats and 26 Royal Laurel Class business-class seats, the latter having been designed in collaboration with Designworks, a BMW Group company. “Our goal was to take a proven seat platform and make it unique to EVA Air,” said Johannes Lampela, design director at the Designworks LA studio. “From privacy, service, interaction, stowage and amenities, we explored the holistic passenger experience.”

PHOTOS: DELTA AIR LINES; BMW GROUP; AIR FRANCE

IN-FLIGHT WI-FI INSTALLATIONS AND SEATING UPGRADES UNDERWAY FOR AIR FRANCE In-flight connectivity is now available on Air France’s first two aircraft to be equipped with a Gogo 2Ku antenna – an Airbus A330 and Boeing 777. Installations of the satellite connectivity system are underway across the remainder of the airline’s long-haul fleet, which comprises 83 aircraft. The airline has also confirmed Global Eagle will provide gate-to-gate Ku-band connectivity via a long-term contract with Orange Business Services on its short- and mediumhaul fleet, starting with 113 A320 aircraft. The French flag carrier is also retrofitting 15 Airbus A330s with new economy and premium economy cabins, starting January 2019. The economy seats will offer more space between armrests, reinforced ergonomic foam, deep blue monochrome fabric upholstery, a 31-inch pitch and 11.7-inch seatback display. Upgrades to the premium economy cabins will include softer seat cushions and wider leather armrests.

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APEX Events

APEX TECH

APEX ASIA

MULTIMEDIA MARKET

29–30 January 2019 Los Angeles, US

12–13 March 2019 Shanghai, China

15 –17 April 2019 Dublin, Ireland

#APEXTECH

#APEXASIA

#APEXMMM

APEX TECH

APEX EXPO

7–8 May 2019 Los Angeles, US

9–12 September 2019 Los Angeles, US

#APEXTECH

#APEXEXPO

Tweeting from one of our upcoming events? Be sure to use the designated hashtag so other members can join the conversation. 82

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Four Questions for the New APEX President, Juha Järvinen Where do you see the future of the passenger experience heading? Passengers are willing to spend more on travel, but they need to see value in the in-flight experience. How can we offer improved services and monetize them at the same time? Passengers desire a seamless travel experience, but the nuances and variations of that experience have increased, often making them challenging to meet. The solution comes down to personalization. It is therefore important to ensure airlines utilize and develop data and use new technologies like artificial intelligence to get to know their passengers better and to offer them more relevant and personalized experiences. While the in-flight experience is most fundamental when it comes to the time that passengers spend with an airline, it is also crucial to focus on ground services. From the moment a trip is booked, airlines need to build the relationship with the passenger by intelligently offering valueadding services each step of the way, while not overwhelming them with offers.

As the second largest aviation trade association, APEX provides opportunities for members to build relationships with clients and colleagues from around the world, as we collectively develop our industry to the next level. What is your vision for APEX by 2025? With fast developing technology and our improved ability to utilize data, the next-generation passenger experience toward 2025 will be fascinating! People traveling from around the globe will be more informed and will be more precise about what they want out of our services. Airlines are not the reason for travel, but we play a major role in facilitating it – we

transport passengers and open the world to them. Flying is often seen as stressful and it is our duty to improve this part of the experience. By 2025, my vision is to make sure that APEX is the world’s leading airline association, by bringing the whole passenger experience value chain together to innovate, challenge and further improve the air travel experience for passengers. What are your goals to help achieve that vision over your board term? We will start working with the 2025 vision and get creative on what role APEX can have in the future – it will be fascinating and exciting!

Juha Järvinen, APEX president and Finnair CCO

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JUHA JÄRVINEN

What value does APEX bring to you as an airline member and to the industry? APEX brings together the entire aviation community, including the world’s leading airlines, suppliers, major media and technology groups and content providers.

“People traveling from around the globe will be more informed and will be more precise about what they want out of our services.”

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Four Questions for the New APEX Vice-President, Anton Vidgen Where do you see the future of the passenger experience heading? I see two broad themes informing how airlines evolve the passenger experience: personalization and technology enabling a seamless experience. On personalization, increasingly sophisticated air travelers have increasingly specific needs (e.g., food and drink preferences). Airlines that can successfully cater to a diversity of preferences will find themselves the choice of high-yielding passengers. As for technology and its role in the passenger journey, airlines, airports and tech vendors will need to collaborate more effectively to allow passengers to trek an easier path from origin to destination with minimal disruptive surprises. In addition to the accelerated adoption of biometrics (notably in airports), next-generation mobile tech such as the use of beacons will empower and inform passengers to enjoy their travel experience.

Anton Vidgen, APEX vice-president and Air Canada director of Brand Experience

“Airlines, airports and tech vendors will need to collaborate more effectively to allow passengers to trek an easier path from origin to destination with minimal disruptive surprises.”

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and the only one focused on the passenger experience, APEX’s leadership and coordinating function is ever critical for the adoption of standards and to encourage alignment of priorities. On a more personal level, it provides me with an unparalleled network of experts who have been generous with their knowledge and experience allowing me to do even greater things at Air Canada. What is your vision for APEX by 2025? APEX has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years but has even more growth potential in the years ahead. The association needs to scale up its activities beyond its traditional in-ﬂight

space and look to airports as well as tech innovation in order to deliver on its goals of providing an evolved end-to-end passenger experience. What are your goals to help achieve that vision over your board term? I’m eager to work with my board colleagues and association management team on a strengthened corporate strategy as well as a new brand strategy as we get ready to celebrate 40 years of APEX EXPO in 2019. As co-chair of the marketing committee, I’m keen to develop new marketing assets to support our strategic priorities as well as bolster the impact and reach of APEX media.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF AIR CANADA

What value does APEX bring to you as an airline member and to the industry? As the world’s second largest trade association for airlines and its partners

Interested in Becoming a Member of the APEX Board? APEX encourages and welcomes members to find ways to participate in the association. For those who are interested in becoming a member of the APEX Board of Directors, we encourage you to review the following deadlines, openings and time commitments for board members.

TIME COMMITMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE APEX BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019–2020 BOARD NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION TIMELINE*

• The director and treasurer positions are for a two-year term, with the president and vice-president roles being a one-year term – all commencing at the 2019 APEX EXPO in Los Angeles.

Two to three nights’ hotel accommodation and meals will be provided by APEX for all meetings, except during EXPO.

• Applications open 1 May – 1 June, 2019

• Board members are expected to prepare for each meeting by carefully studying the agenda and supporting materials.

• New board of directors announced at EXPO

• New board members are to attend a new board orientation session via conference call prior to APEX EXPO or in-person at the event. • All board members are to attend three to four faceto-face board of directors meetings annually, as well as approximately three to four additional conference calls during the year. • APEX expects board members to attend all meetings in person, but if not possible, to attend a meeting on occasion. (A video or teleconference line may be provided). • All board members must attend APEX EXPO and serve as goodwill ambassadors at the event and throughout the year. • Travel and/or ﬂights for meetings are the responsibility of each board member.

• It is vital that board members support all board decisions publicly, even if they may have not voted in favor of the decisions taken. • All board members are required to complete all board reports, duties and assignments (including, when appropriate, media requests) within the timelines agreed upon. • Board members should plan to make 10 or more hours available for APEX activities monthly. • Applicants are encouraged to discuss their intention to join the APEX Board of Directors with the chair of the nominations committee (currently Brian Richardson, APEX past president) to ensure the roles and interests are clear should the applicant be elected.

• Slate announced to the APEX membership in late July • Election held in August

*Subject to change

ELECTION POSITIONS OPEN FOR THE 2019–2020 BOARD INCLUDE: • President • Vice-president • Treasurer • Three director positions To maintain continuity on the board and allow elected representatives to fulﬁll their current two-year terms, the secretary and three additional director positions will not appear on the 2019–2020 ballot.

Many thanks to the APEX nominations committee: chair Brian Richardson, American Airlines; members Lee Casey, West Entertainment, Mark Horton, Cinesky Pictures, Juha Järvinen, Finnair; and staff liason Katie Goshgarian, APEX.

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IFSA

Highlights From IFSA EXPO 2018

Lisa Bauer, vice-president of Onboard Services at Delta Air Lines (left), and Max Coppin, partner development manager at Google (right), discuss the yÕi Vi v >Õ} i Ìi` reality and machine learning on various aspects of the passenger journey.

IFSA EXPO brought representation from global airlines and leading suppliers of in-ﬂight services, amenities, food and beverage. Through co-location with APEX EXPO and AIX Americas in Boston, all aspects of the airline industry were represented to discuss the future of airline travel and passenger experience. Attendees got the opportunity to see and taste a few of the innovative ideas ahead. IFSA hosted a series of Chef Demos and Technology Features showcasing the leading inventive minds in in-ﬂight services, as well as held its annual Compass Awards ceremony, which honored seven companies for their innovative contributions to the onboard industry.

2018 Compass Award Recipients AIRLINE OF THE YEAR

BEST INFLIGHT BEVERAGE

Delta Air Lines

JetBlue

CATERER OF THE YEAR

BEST INFLIGHT FOOD

SATS

Buddy’s Kitchen

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

BEST ONBOARD AMENITY

Buddy’s Kitchen

American Airlines

BEST CATERING/ FOOD SERVICE/ GALLEY EQUIPMENT

HONORABLE MENTION: BEST ONBOARD AMENITY

Buzz Products

Save the Date!

Mark your calendar for IFSA’s upcoming regional events in January and July, and for IFSA EXPO in September 2019! Visit ifsa.aero for more information. Celebrity chef Sam Choy from American Airlines conducting a cooking demonstration of his world-famous poke.

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Bravo’s Top Chef alumnus and Hawaiian Airlines’ executive chef Lee Anne Wong showcasing her modern-global fusion cuisine.

PHOTOS: SALVADOR FARFAN, CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

FORMIA

AIRBUS A350

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What to look for in the months ahead

Coming Attractions W

5 Weddings

Director: Namrata Singh Gujral Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Rajkummar Rao, Bo Derek, Candy Clark, Anneliese van der Pol An American journalist travels to India for a magazine feature about ﬁve Indian weddings, but the assignment is interrupted by a cop convinced it’s a cover for espionage. A colorful mosaic of lost loves and culture clashes is revealed as the wedding celebrations unfold. DISTRIBUTOR: PICTUREWORKS CONTACT: AVINAASH JUMANI

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Alita: Battle Angel

Director: Robert Rodriguez Cast: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Director: Kim Yong-hwa Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi, Don Lee

Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Douglas

An adaptation of the popular Japanese manga Battle Angel Alita. Set in the 26th century, Alita is a female cyborg that is discovered in a scrapyard by a scientist. With no memory of her previous life except her deadly martial-arts training, Alita becomes a bounty hunter, tracking down criminals.

Head grim reaper Gang-lim and afterlife guardians Hewonmak and Lee Deokchoon guide the soul of Kim Su-hong through a series of hells and trials in an attempt to reincarnate him, meanwhile uncovering memories of their own tragic lives on Earth one thousand years ago.

DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: GIGI LEE

Scott Lang ﬁnds himself suiting up as Ant-Man once again to join forces with Hope van Dyne, the Wasp, on an urgent mission to uncover secrets from the past. DISTRIBUTOR: DISNEY STUDIOS NON-THEATRICAL CONTACT: MELINDA MEYER-GILMORE

* EXCLUDING KOREA AND TAIWAN

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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* EXCLUDING INDIA

Aquaman

At Eternity’s Gate

Balloon

Director: James Wan Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Nicole Kidman

Director: Julian Schnabel Cast: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaac, Rupert Friend, Mads Mikkelsen, Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric

Director: Michael Bully Herbig Cast: Friedrich Mücke, Karoline Schuch, Thomas Kretschmann, David Kross, Alicia von Rittberg

In the vast underwater world of the seven seas, half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry takes the journey of a lifetime – one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of being a king.

Van Gogh was known for his postImpressionist art, including famous paintings Starry Night Over the Rhone, Sunflowers, Bedroom in Arles and his self-portraits. This film explores the sacrifices the artist made to produce his masterpieces that are instantly recognizable around the world today.

The gripping and inspiring true story of how two ordinary families tried the most daring escape ever made across the East German border during the Cold War, ﬁghting for freedom with their courage and ingenuity.

DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROS. CONTACT: JEFF CRAWFORD

DISTRIBUTOR: JAGUAR DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: FRANCE CAPOR

Bel Canto

Director: Paul Weitz Cast: Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Sebastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Ryo Kase, Elsa Zylberstein Roxanne has traveled to South America to sing at a private party at a mansion, when suddenly it is taken over by a rebel group demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. Negotiations begin, and the hostages and their captors, who speak diﬀerent languages, are forced to ﬁnd ways to communicate.

DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA * EXCLUDING US, CANADA, GERMANY, AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales

Director: Vikramaditya Motwane Cast: Harshvardhan Kapoor, Priyanshu Painyuli, Nishikant Kamat

Directors: Patrick Imbert, Benjamin Renner Cast: Bill Bailey, Adrian Edmondson, Justin Edwards, Matthew Goode, Celia Imrie, Phill Jupitus

A young man wants to continue doing what’s right and challenging what’s wrong. On this journey, he discovers that he’s destined to do bigger things, which will transform him from a common man into a superhero. DISTRIBUTOR: EROS INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: PRASHANT GAONKAR

Whoever thinks that the countryside is calm and peaceful is mistaken. In it we ﬁnd a fox that thinks it’s a chicken, a rabbit that acts like a stork and a duck that wants to replace Santa Claus. If you want to take a vacation, keep driving past this place. DISTRIBUTOR: PICTUREWORKS CONTACT: AVINAASH JUMANI

DISTRIBUTOR: JAGUAR DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: FRANCE CAPOR

* EXCLUDING FRANCE, US AND CANADA

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Big Brother

Bumblebee

Director: Travis Knight Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Stephen Schneider, Jorge Lendeborg Jr.

Director: Kam Ka-wai Cast: Donnie Yen High school teacher Henry Chen tries to help his students, who are struggling academically and have behavioral issues. When his class learns their school might be shut down by the government, they do everything they can to defend it from being closed. DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: GIGI LEE

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee ﬁnds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. When Charlie, on the verge of turning 18 and trying to ﬁnd her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken, she quickly learns it is no ordinary, yellow VW Bug. DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

* EXCLUDING CHINA

Can You Ever Forgive Me? W

Director: Marielle Heller Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Nicole Holofcener, Jeff Whitty, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin Based on the true story of celebrity biographer Lee Israel who made a living proﬁling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead and Estée Lauder. When Lee’s work falls out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend, Jack. DISTRIBUTOR: FOX SEARCHLIGHT CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN .

The Children Act

Christopher Robin

Colette

Director: Richard Eyre Cast: Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead

Director: Marc Forster Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett

Director: Wash Westmoreland Cast: Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Fiona Shaw, Robert Pugh, Denise Gough

Fiona Maye is a British High Court judge who, in the middle of a marital crisis, must rule on the life-changing legal case of Adam – a brilliant teenage boy who is refusing the blood transfusion that will save his life. Should Fiona force him to live?

Christopher Robin, the young boy who shared countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his stuﬀed animal friends, has grown up and lost his way.

Colette is a country girl who becomes a darling of the Parisian demimonde alongside her husband, Henry “Willy” Gauthier-Villars. A critic and author in his own right, Willy mentors and later betrays her as her stories gain them fame and notoriety. A compelling insight into a passionate young woman’s journey to create independence.

DISTRIBUTOR: MELINDA MEYER-GILMORE CONTACT: MELINDA MEYER-GILMORE

DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

DISTRIBUTOR: JAGUAR DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: FRANCE CAPOR

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT; © 2018 PARAMOUNT PICTURES; © 2018 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; PHOTO BY NICK WALL. COURTESY OF A24 & DIRECTV; © 2018 DISNEY; © HANWAY FILMS

Creed II

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings W

Director: Steven Caple Jr. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Dolph Lundgren The next chapter in the Adonis Creed story follows his life inside and outside the ring as he deals with newfound fame, family issues and his continuing quest to become a champion. DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROS. CONTACT: JEFF CRAWFORD * CANADA AND INTERNATIONAL

Director: Tsui Hark Cast: Mark Chao, Feng Shaofeng, Lin Gengxin, Carina Lau Mysterious events are occurring in Luoyang: masked warriors are perpetrating crimes, a fox speaks like a human and dragons engraved on the palace’s columns are coming to life. Dee urgently needs to solve these puzzles while facing obstacles from the ruthless and ambitious Empress Wu. DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: GIGI LEE

Dog Days

Director: Ken Marino Cast: Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Adam Pally, Eva Longoria, Rob Corddry, Tone Bell A hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved ﬂuﬀy pals around sunny Los Angeles. When these human and canine paths intertwine, their lives begin changing in ways they never expected. DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE BÉGIN * EXCLUDING NORTH AMERICA

* EXCLUDING CHINA

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Director: David Yates Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterson, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald has escaped custody and has set about raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all nonmagical beings. In an eﬀort to thwart his plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander. Love and loyalty are tested in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

The Favourite

First Man

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman, Joe Alwyn, Nicholas Hoult, Mark Gatiss

Director: Damien Chazelle Cast: Ryan Gosling, Jason Clarke, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Patrick Fugit, Ciarán Hinds

A bawdy, acerbic tale of royal intrigue, passion, envy and betrayal in the court of Queen Anne in early 18th century England.

The riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961–1969. A visceral, ﬁrst-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, which explores the sacriﬁces and the cost – on Armstrong and on the nation – of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

DISTRIBUTOR: FOX SEARCHLIGHT CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

DISTRIBUTOR: NBCUNIVERSAL CONTACT: CYNTHIA KLAR

DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROS. CONTACT: JEFF CRAWFORD

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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PHOTOS: © 2018 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT; ANNAPURNA RELEASING; © 2018 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2018 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND DREAMWORKS PICTURES

Forever Young

Director: Li Fangfang Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiaoming, Wang Leehom, Chang Chen From corporate corruption to the trials and tribulations of the Cultural Revolution to one’s duty to their country in a time of war, each generation is faced with choosing its individual path through history. DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

Freaky Friday

F.R.E.D.I.

Director: Steve Carr Cast: Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jason Maybaum, Alex Désert, Ricky He, Kahyun Kim

Director: Sean Olson Cast: Lucius Hoyos, Candace Cameron Bure, Casimere Jollette, Reid Miller, Tyler Christopher

Sixteen-year-old Ellie and her mother, Katherine, wish the other would change her ways. But when they magically swap bodies, they must ﬁnd a way to switch back before it’s too late.

An intelligent and lovable robot known as F.R.E.D.I. is stolen from a secret research facility by the project’s lead scientist. The robot is discovered by 15-year-old James. Soon the two begin to create a bond, and F.R.E.D.I. learns about teenage life and James learns some new values.

DISTRIBUTOR: DISNEY STUDIOS NON-THEATRICAL CONTACT: MELINDA MEYER-GILMORE

* EXCLUDING MAINLAND CHINA DISTRIBUTOR: PICTUREWORKS CONTACT: AVINAASH JUMANI

The Front Runner

Director: Jason Reitman Cast: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina The ﬁlm follows the rise and fall of Senator Gary Hart, who captured the imagination of young voters and was considered the overwhelming front runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice. DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES

Gintama 2: Rules Are Made to Be Broken W

Director: Yûichi Fukuda Cast: Shun Oguri, Masaki Suda, Kanna Hashimoto, Ryô Katsuji In their hunt for work, Gintoki and his two comrades, Kagura and Shimura, cross paths with the most powerful shogun in Edo, Shigeshige Tokugawa. They try to appease him, but it appears a conspiracy is brewing. Will Gintoki and his buddies be able to protect Edo from an impending crisis?

Gipsy Queen

Director: Hüseyin Tabak Cast: Alina Serban, Tobias Moretti, Irina Kurbanova A powerful and inspiring story of a single mother, Ali, who does everything she can to keep the heads of her two children, Esmeralda and Mateo, above water, in a foreign country – even if it means getting into a boxing ring. DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG * EXCLUDING GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, GERMAN-SPEAKING ALTO-ADIGE, LUXEMBOURG AND LIECHTENSTEIN

DISTRIBUTOR: EMPHASIS VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: GIGI LEE * EXCLUDING JAPAN

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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PHOTOS: © TENCENT PENGUIN PICTURES (SHANGHAI); © 2018 DISNEY; COURTESY OF PICTUREWORKS; © 2018 CTMG. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © HIDEAKI SORACHI/SHUEISHA © 2018 “GINTAMA 2” FILM PARTNERS; © COURTESY OF ENCORE INFLIGHT

WB NON-THEATRICAL SALES Jeff Crawford • jeff.crawford@warnerbros.com Angelica McCoy • angelica.mccoy@warnerbros.com wbnts.warnerbros.com

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

Director: Fede Alvarez Cast: Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason, Lakeith Stanﬁeld, Sylvia Hoeks, Stephen Merchant

Director: Ari Sandel Cast: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, Chris Parnell, Ken Jeong

Lisbeth Salander, the outcast vigilante defender and cult ﬁgure of the acclaimed Millennium book series of the same name created by Stieg Larsson, returns to the screen in a ﬁrst-time adaptation of the global best-seller.

Halloween comes to life in a brand-new family adventure comedy based on R.L. Stine’s 400-million-selling series of books.

DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES

Gotti

Director: Kevin Connolly Cast: John Travolta, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, Kelly Preston, Pruitt Taylor Vince, William DeMeo John Gotti’s rise to becoming the “Teﬂon Don” of the Gambino crime family in New York City, spanning three decades, is recounted by his son. John Gotti Jr. examines the senior Gotti’s tumultuous life as he and his wife attempt to hold the family together amid tragedy and multiple prison sentences. DISTRIBUTOR: PICTUREWORKS CONTACT: AVINAASH JUMANI * EXCLUDING US, CANADA AND LATIN AMERICA

Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi W

Here and Now

Holmes & Watson

Director: Fabien Constant Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Renée Zellweger, Common, Simon Baker, Taylor Kinney, Jacqueline Bisset

Director: Etan Cohen Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Kelly Macdonald, Ralph Fiennes

When Professor Harpreet Kaur lands in Shanghai, the last thing she had on her mind was getting kidnapped. Enter a crazy comedy of errors: As Bagga, Guddu, Happy and Usmaan Miyaan navigate China, Harpreet is caught in the crosshairs.

Vivienne, a singer in New York City, lives her life for herself and for her art. After she receives news that shatters her world, she grapples to make peace with the city around her and those who inhabit it, as a chance encounter with an unlikely friend ultimately helps her come to terms with her new reality.

The Step Brothers co-stars are reunited – this time playing the world’s greatest consulting detective and his loyal biographer.

DISTRIBUTOR: EROS INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: PRASHANT GAONKAR

DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

Director: Mudassar Aziz Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jassie Gill, Jimmy Sheirgill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: © 2018 CTMG. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2018 CTMG, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF PICTUREWORKS; COURTESY OF EROS INTERNATIONAL; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; © 2018 CTMG. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Girl in the Spider’s Web W

Director: Eli Roth Cast: Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Kyle MacLachlan A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world. DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

Hunter Killer

Instant Family

Director: Donovan Marsh Cast: Gerard Butler, Linda Cardellini, Gary Oldman

Director: Sean Anders Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer, Isabela Moner

An untested American submarine captain teams with US Navy Seals to rescue the Russian president, who has been kidnapped by a rogue general.

When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but they ﬁnd themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS * EXCLUDING FRANCE

DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

Into the Okavango

Director: Neil Gelinas Cast: Maans Booysen, Steve Boyes, Bill Branch, Götz Neef, Adjany Costa, Nigel Barker From National Geographic Documentary Films, Into the Okavango chronicles a team of modern-day explorers on an epic fourmonth, 1,500-mile expedition to save one of our planet’s last wetland wildernesses, an oasis of fresh water in the middle of one of the driest places on Earth. DISTRIBUTOR: FNG NON-THEATRICAL LICENSING CONTACT: MICHAEL GARRITY

Johnny English Strikes Again W

Director: David Kerr Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Olga Kurylenko, Emma Thompson, Jake Lacy When a cyberattack reveals the identity of all active undercover agents in Britain, Johnny English is called out of retirement. With few skills and analog methods, English must overcome the challenges of modern technology and ﬁnd the mastermind hacker – or his newest mission will become the Secret Service’s last.

Jonathan

Director: Bill Oliver Cast: Ansel Elgort, Patricia Clarkson, Suki Waterhouse Jonathan and his brother, John, share a modest apartment. Their lives are so entwined that when John breaks one of the ironclad rules that govern their ordered lives, their structured existence, their increasingly suspicious doctor and their own autonomies threaten to collide. DISTRIBUTOR: JAGUAR DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: FRANCE CAPOR

DISTRIBUTOR: NBCUNIVERSAL CONTACT: CYNTHIA KLAR

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: © 2018 STORYTELLER DISTRIBUTION CO. LLC; © 2018 HUNTER KILLER PRODUCTIONS; © 2018 PARAMOUNT PICTURES; © 2018 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © GILES KEYTE/FOCUS FEATURES; © GREAT POINT MEDIA

The House With a Clock in Its Walls I

QUALITY, INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILMS WWW.PENNYBLACKMEDIA.COM

CTROTTA@PENNYBLACKMEDIA.COM

Director: Sara Colangelo Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gael García Bernal, Parker Sevak, Anna Baryshnikov When a Staten Island kindergarten teacher discovers what may be a gifted ﬁve-yearold student in her class, she becomes fascinated and obsessed with the child prodigy. Hoping to save him from a banal life, she risks her career, her family and her freedom to nurture his genius – and possibly tap into her own.

The King

Director: Eugene Jarecki Cast: Alec Baldwin, Lana Del Rey, Ethan Hawke, Mike Myers Forty years after the death of Elvis “the King” Presley, this groundbreaking documentary takes his 1963 Rolls-Royce on a musical road trip across America. From Memphis to New York and beyond, the journey traces the rise and fall of Elvis as a metaphor for the country he left behind. DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

King of Thieves

Director: James Marsh Cast: Michael Caine, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Ray Winstone, Paul Whitehouse Based on the incredible true story of the spectacular 2015 London diamond heist, one of the biggest in British history, which became news around the world when it was discovered to have been perpetrated by a misﬁt gang of retirees and pensioners defying their own age. DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

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

* EXCLUDING US AND CANADA

Life Itself

Director: Dan Fogelman Cast: Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke, Antonio Banderas A couple leads a multigenerational love story spanning both decades and continents, from the streets of New York City to the Spanish countryside, and are all connected by a single event. DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

A Man in a Hurry (Un homme pressé)

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

Director: Hervé Mimran Cast: Fabrice Luchini, Leïla Bekhtia

Director: Terry Gilliam Cast: Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce, Stellan Skarsgård, Olga Kurylenko, Rossy de Palma

A massive stroke jumbles respected businessman Alain’s speech, making everything he says diﬃcult to understand. To save his career, he enlists the help of a speech therapist, Jeanne. But the learning requires patience, and Alain comes to understand that a whole part of his life has passed him by. DISTRIBUTOR: O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: JACQUELINE BRIENS

When Toby, a jaded director, travels to Spain for a shoot, he meets a gypsy who shows him an amateur film, a reworking of the Don Quixote story. Toby sets off to find the Spanish village where the film is set, bringing him into a time-traveling fantasy where a cobbler believes him to be the character Sancho Panza. DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON

* EXCLUDING FRANCE AND US * LATIN AMERICA, ASIA, MIDDLE EAST, RUSSIA AND SCANDINAVIA

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES; © COURTESY OF OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES 2018; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; © JON PACK; COURTESY OF O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL; COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES

The Kindergarten Teacher W

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NEAL ROTHMAN - NEAL@SKYFILMS.COM LYNDA HARRISS - LYNDA@SKYFILMS.COM

Maria by Callas

My Dinner With Hervé

For the very ﬁrst time, 40 years after her death, opera singer Maria Callas tells her story – in her own words.

Director: Desiree Akhavan Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Sasha Lane, John Gallagher Jr.

Director: Sacha Gervasi Cast: Peter Dinklage, Jamie Dornan, Harriet Walter, David Strathairn, Oona Chaplin

DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE RACINE

When high school student Cameron Post is caught with another girl in the backseat of a car, she is sent to conversion therapy, where she is subjected to dubious “degaying” methods. But the unusual setting also provides her with peers, and she’s able to ﬁnd her place among fellow outcasts.

* EXCLUDING FRANCE, DROM POM, COM, MONACO, ANDORRA

DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

Nancy

Director: Christina Choe Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, J. Smith-Cameron, Ann Dowd, John Leguizamo Craving human connection, Nancy creates elaborate identities and hoaxes on the Internet. When she meets a couple whose daughter went missing years ago, she becomes convinced they are her real parents. As her bond with them deepens, the power of emotion threatens to overcome all rationality.

Nawabzaade

Director: Jayesh Pradhan Cast: Raghav Juyal, Punit Pathak, Dharmesh Yelande Three best friends fall in love with the same girl and ﬁght to win her aﬀection. But, they soon realize that there is much more to their beloved than meets the eye. DISTRIBUTOR: EROS INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: PRASHANT GAONKAR

Inspired by real events, the ﬁlm explores an unlikely friendship that evolves over one wild night in LA between struggling journalist Danny Tate and actor Hervé Villechaize, the world’s most famous gun-toting dwarf, with life-changing consequences for both. DISTRIBUTOR: HBO CONTACT: KALLIOPE DIAKOS

Nobody’s Fool

Director: Tyler Perry Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Mehcad Brooks, Amber Riley, Whoopi Goldberg Trying to get back on her feet, wild child Tanya looks to her buttoned-up, by-thebook sister, Danica, to help her get back on track. As the polar-opposite sisters collide with hilarious and disastrous results, Tanya discovers that Danica’s pictureperfect life may not be what it seems. DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

DISTRIBUTOR: PICTUREWORKS CONTACT: AVINAASH JUMANI * EXCLUDING CHINA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, US AND CANADA

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I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

PHOTOS: © MK2; © 2017 BEACHSIDE FILMS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2018 HOME BOX OFFICE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HBO® AND ALL RELATED PROGRAMS ARE THE PROPERTY OF HOME BOX OFFICE; COURTESY OF PICTUREWORKS; COURTESY OF EROS INTERNATIONAL; © 2018 PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Director: Tom Volf

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

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.

Not the End

Directors: César Esteban Alenda, José Esteban Alenda Cast: Javier Rey, María León The romance Javier and Maria once had is falling apart. Javier’s obsession with work and Maria’s unfulﬁlled dreams have taken their toll on the relationship, especially on Maria. Javier realizes he must travel back in time to rewrite Maria’s destiny and avoid the miserable existence they’re living.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

The Old Man and the Gun

Directors: Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston Cast: Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Eugenio Derbez, Misty Copeland, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman

Director: David Lowery Cast: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover

When Clara ﬁnds herself in a strange and mysterious parallel world that’s home to the Land of Snowﬂakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets, she must brave the ominous Fourth Realm and its ruling tyrant, Mother Ginger, to return harmony to the unstable world.

The true story of Forrest Tucker, an outlaw with 18 successful prison breaks and a lifetime of bank robberies to his name. DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS * EXCLUDING UK

* EXCLUDING SPAIN DISTRIBUTOR: DISNEY STUDIOS NON-THEATRICAL CONTACT: MELINDA MEYER-GILMORE

One Nation, One King (Un peuple et son roi) W

Director: Pierre Schoeller Cast: Louis Garrel, Gaspard Ulliel, Adèle Haenel, Céline Sallette, Niels Schneider, Denis Lavant In 1789, a nation enters into a revolution, and the lives of historical ﬁgures and ordinary people collide in the establishment of the National Assembly. DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE RACINE

On Your Wedding Day W

Director: Lee Seok-geun Cast: Park Bo-young, Kim Young-kwang

Overlord

Director: Julius Avery Cast: Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, Pilou Asbæk, John Magaro, Mathilde Ollivier

Woo-yeon is a high school student who is not good at anything. When a new transfer student, Seung-hee, shows up, he falls helplessly in love with her. Now he only has one goal in life – to become Seunghee’s proud boyfriend.

On the eve of D-Day, paratroopers drop behind enemy lines to carry out a crucial mission for the invasion. They soon realize there’s more going on than a simple military operation. They have to ﬁght oﬀ Nazi soldiers and the supernatural forces created through Nazi experiments.

DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG

DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI

* EXCLUDING KOREA

* EXCLUDING FRANCE

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

N: NORTH AMERICA

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

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Patrick

Paul Sanchez Is Back! (Paul Sanchez est revenu!) W

Director: Mandie Fletcher Cast: Beattie Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders, Emilia Jones, Ed Skrein, Gemma Jones Sarah is a young woman whose life is a bit of a mess – and it becomes even more complicated when her grandmother bequeaths the spoiled pug, Patrick, to her. Everything is changed by Patrick’s arrival, but gradually the adorable dog starts to help Sarah turn her life around. DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON

Director: Patricia Mazuy Cast: Laurent Laﬁtte, Zita Hanrot When Paul Sanchez, a notorious criminal who has been missing for 10 years, returns, no one believes it – except for police oﬃcer Marion. DISTRIBUTOR: O’BRIEN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: JACQUELINE BRIENS

Peppermint

Director: Pierre Morel Cast: Jennifer Garner, John Ortiz, John Gallagher Jr., Juan Pablo Raba Riley North awakens from a coma after surviving a brutal attack that killed her husband and daughter. When the system shields the murderers from justice, Riley embarks on a deadly quest to deliver her own personal brand of punishment. DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT PICTURES CONTACT: JOAN FILIPPINI * US AND CANADA

* EXCLUDING FRANCE

* EXCLUDING UK

Photo de famille

Director: Cécilia Rouaud Cast: Vanessa Paradis, Camille Cottin, Pierre Deladonchamps, Jean-Pierre Bacri When their grandfather dies, Gabrielle, Elsa and Mao are reunited. The siblings can’t bear to be together, but their grandmother has one last wish: She wants them to take her to the countryside where they spent their summers as children. In dealing with their pasts, Gabrielle, Elsa and Mao ﬁnd they are able to reinvent themselves. DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE RACINE

Serenity

Director: Steven Knight Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane, Jeremy Strong, Jason Clarke, Djimon Hounsou Baker Dill is a fishing boat captain who leads tours off a tropical island. But his quiet life is shattered when his ex-wife contacts him with a desperate plea for help. She begs him to save her and their young son from her violent new husband – by taking him out to sea on a fishing excursion and throwing him to the sharks. DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON

* EXCLUDING AUSTRALIA, CANADA, FRANCE AND US

Shoplifters

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Mayu Matsuoka, Jyo Kairi After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold. Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces. Although poor, the family seem to be happy, until an incident reveals secrets that shake the bonds that unite them. DISTRIBUTOR: ENCORE INFLIGHT CONTACT: EDWIN CHEUNG * EXCLUDING JAPAN

* EXCLUDING US AND CANADA

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

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N: NORTH AMERICA

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

OUT WITH THE OLD...

IN WITH THE BOLD.

w: westent.com

t: +1 (949) 577-9760

e: info@westent.com

5 x 50’ www.sales.bbcstudios.com • outofhome.sales@bbc.com

Available wherever you travel 8S ½RH SYX QSVI ZMWMX bbc.com/worldnews SV GSRXEGX >MRE 2ISTL]XSY :4 3YX SJ ,SQI &&' 7XYHMSW zina.neophytou@bbc.com

PHOTOS: © 2018 LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; © 2018 ANNAPURNA RELEASING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF PENNY BLACK MEDIA; COURTESY OF ANNAPURNA PICTURES; © 2018 SPAI. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; COURTESY OF CINESKY PICTURES

A Simple Favor

The Sisters Brothers

Director: Paul Feig Cast: Linda Cardellini, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick

Director: Jacques Audiard Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. Reilly

Stephanie, a mommy vlogger, seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily’s sudden disappearance from their small town – alongside Emily’s husband, Sean – in this stylish thriller ﬁlled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge.

In 1850s Oregon, a gold prospector is chased by the infamous duo of assassins, the Sisters brothers. DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS * EXCLUDING FRANCE

DISTRIBUTOR: ENTERTAINMENT IN MOTION CONTACT: LYNDA HARRISS

Sometimes Always Never W

Director: Carl Hunter Cast: Bill Nighy, Sam Riley, Jenny Agutter Alan has spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son, Michael, who stormed out over a game of Scrabble. With his family torn apart, Alan must repair the relationship with his youngest son, Peter, and solve the mystery of an online Scrabble player who he thinks could be Michael, so he can ﬁnally move on and reunite his family. DISTRIBUTOR: PENNY BLACK MEDIA CONTACT: CATHIE TROTTA

Sorry to Bother You

Director: Boots Riley Cast: Lakeith Stanﬁeld, Tessa Thompson, Terry Crews, Jermaine Fowler, Armie Hammer In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success – which propels him into a macabre universe. DISTRIBUTOR: TERRY STEINER INTERNATIONAL CONTACT: NADJA RUTKOWSKI

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse W

Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez Brooklyn teen Miles Morales enters the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. DISTRIBUTOR: SONY PICTURES RELEASING CONTACT: RANA MATTHES

We the Animals

Director: Jeremiah Zagar Cast: Raúl Castillo, Josiah Gabriel, Evan Rosado, Isaiah Kristian, Sheila Vand Three brothers tear through rural New York amid their young parents’ volatile love, which makes and unmakes the family many times over. While Manny and Joel grow into versions of their loving yet unpredictable father, their mother seeks to keep her youngest, Jonah, in the cocoon of home. DISTRIBUTOR: CINESKY PICTURES CONTACT: MARK HORTON

* EXCLUDING CANADA

* EXCLUDING US AND CANADA

DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS CODES

N: NORTH AMERICA

I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

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What They Had

Director: Elizabeth Chomko Cast: Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Josh Lucas, Blythe Danner, Robert Forster, Taissa Farmiga

Whitney

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Bridget returns home to Chicago at her brother’s urging to deal with her mother’s Alzheimer’s and her father’s reluctance to let go of their life together.

An intimate, unﬂinching portrait of Whitney Houston and her family that probes beyond tabloid headlines and sheds new light on the spellbinding trajectory of “the Voice,” who thrilled millions even as she struggled to make peace with her own troubled past.

DISTRIBUTOR: JAGUAR DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: FRANCE CAPOR

DISTRIBUTOR: SKEYE CONTACT: ISABELLE RACINE * EXCLUDING UK AND NORTH AMERICA

Widows

X-Men: Dark Phoenix W

Director: Steve McQueen Cast: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya Set in contemporary Chicago amid a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities take fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms. DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

Director: Simon Kinberg Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan In this next installment of X-Men, Jean Grey faces the entity of the Phoenix as it aims to control her and rip her apart from those she loves the most. Meanwhile, an even bigger otherworldly threat looms that could jeopardize the fate of both human and mutantkind. DISTRIBUTOR: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONTACT: JULIAN LEVIN

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I: OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA

W: WORLDWIDE

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something unexpected about a tale of the unexpected. We pride ourselves in offering customer service which is a cut above the rest.

You can expect the unexpected from Skyline IFE. Skyline-ife.com: exceeding your expectations! Â&#x2018; Ď?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013; Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2020;Ç¤Â&#x201E;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x201E;Â&#x203A;ĚˇÂ&#x2022;Â?Â&#x203A;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;ÇŚÂ&#x2039;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Ç¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â? +44 1449711011 Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Ç¤Â&#x2022;Â?Â&#x203A;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;ÇŚÂ&#x2039;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Ç¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Ç¤Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x192;Â?Ç¤Ď?Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â?

Skycast Solutions Is Pioneering the Tablet Friendly Cabin From powerful portable IFE Tablets, to innovative tablet holders, nobody knows personal devices like Skycast Solutions

™

TrayVu9 • Sophisticated user-interface including multi-tasking.

• Seamless Wi-Fi integration with onboard server or internet connection. • Early window movies, TV, Xbox® games, music, maps, and much more. • Complete program management available. • Aluminum security shell can be customized for any airline branding.

Since 2011, Skycast Solutions has been innovating portable IFE and tablet holder solutions which allow an airline to create the “tablet-friendly cabinTM.” With over 10,000 Windows IFE tablets flying successfully every day, Skycast's latest 9" custom portable IFE tablet sets the new standard in low cost portable IFE.

Skycast offers a wide range of TabCaddyTM PED holders, including the “Clip” product line that accommodates coach and premium class seats with folding meal trays.

TabCaddy™ Clip

• Lowest cost fixed tablet holder available. • Fast and easy installation. • Customized for specific tray tables. • Supports phones and tablets of all sizes securely. • New branding and advertising platform.

www.SkycastSolutions.com | 1-855-487-2988

TabCaddy™ ClipFC

• Lowest Cost folding meal tray holder option. • Fast and easy 'stick on' installation. • Frees entire meal tray for use. • Supports phones and tablets of all sizes securely.

DIGITAL POTD

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

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

@ihikhi Turkish Airlines arriving at Noi Bai International Airport

@fravisuals Heading home to Frankfurt Airport

@ptgui One lands, another takes off

@istspotter United Boeing 777-300ER ready to push back for flight to Shanghai

@trevisan26_aviation Four aircraft, three airlines, two types and one manufacturing company

@golfvw19 Bathing in the Haneda sunrise

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@ds.aviation Shine bright like a diamond

Twitter @theapexassoc

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February 25, 1990, was the day domestic flights of six hours or less became smokefree. The ban was an enormous leap forward for the passenger experience, and was the result of a succession of high-profile accidents involving inflight fires: Varig Flight 820 on July 11, 1973; CAAC Airlines Flight 2311 on December 24, 1982; and Air Canada Flight 797 on June 2, 1983; and years of sustained campaigning by the Association of Flight Attendants and the non-smoking public. “It was quite ugly. I was working the 707s, sitting in the back, and once the smoking sign went off, you couldn’t see

Puff Piece Cigarettes and matches were once intrinsic to the passenger experience – flight attendants would even hand them out like peanuts. BY PAUL SILLERS

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the front of the plane – it was just a cloud of smoke,” says American Airlines flight attendant Tim Kirkwood, recalling the pre-ban days with Trans World Airlines. Once the ban was enforced, but before smoke alarms existed, it was down to the attendants to patrol the lavatories. “In most cases, you just scolded them, but if they did it again, you might have them met by the authorities.” While smoking was outlawed in the passenger cabin, initially it was still allowed on the flight deck – regulators were concerned that withdrawal symptoms would impede pilots’ concentration. Cabin crew (half of whom smoked when the ban was introduced) would game the system, recounts Rob Gallagher, former director of Catering and Onboard Service at Virgin America (now Alaska Airlines), who was a Continental Airlines flight attendant at the time: “In the first year, crewmembers would sneak to the cockpit to have a smoke if the captain allowed it.” Today, crew are ever conscious of the potential dangers, but there are still some passengers who think smoking is just a trivial infringement of rules that exist to be broken. “Once, a passenger entered the toilet and I had a feeling something wasn’t

right,” recalls a former flight attendant who worked 18 years with various airlines in Asia. “As soon as he came out, I pulled out the bin and it was smoldering with smoke from burning tissues. I grabbed the nearest coffeepot and poured it all into the bin. Sizzling sounds all over. The purser informed the captain, who handed the passenger over to security once we landed.” Smoke-detection technology is improving, the former flight attendant says: “In the past, the design of smoke detectors protruded, allowing passengers to cover them with plastic cups. Some covered them with wet towels – worked enough to have a quick puff.” Nowadays, systems are tamper-proof and alarmingly conspicuous, she says: “Airbus A380 smoke detectors produce piercing chimes and ‘SMOKE LAV’ warnings flash on the cabin attendant control panels.” And while they may be tamper-proof, they’re not always foolproof, she points out. “On a flight from New York to Dubai, crew came within seconds of hearing the alarm, equipped with [Halon extinguishers] ready to fight the toilet fire – only to discover the passenger was using hair spray in the lavatory!”

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

THROWBACK

Panasonic Avionics Corporation

IMAGINE WHAT

NEW BUSINESSES

ARE RIGHT AROUND

THE CORNER