Going Wireless Is the Future W-IFE?

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March/April 2017 Volume 8 / Issue 2

Going wireless Is the future W-IFE?

A nod to the future Alaskan Airlines has more to love Plane food Catering to the cabin The new oil The value of data Panasonic Avionics Corporation

DITCH THE BOX. APRIL 4. Visit us at AIX to check out the next big thing. #spoileralert - we are breaking the boundaries of IFEC.

CONNECTING THE BUSINESS AND PLEASURE OF FLYING® www.panasonic.aero © 2017 Panasonic Avionics Corporation. All Rights Reserved. AD-0295 Inflight www.inﬂight-online.com Cover: Singapore Airlines’ Companion App not only ties in with Panasonic’s data platforms, but allows passengers to use their personal electronic devices as a second screen. Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Contents

04 59 84 Viewpoint Supplier profile Operator profile And the winner is... Forged by experience A better way to fly Alexander Preston looks ahead FTS is making a big mark on The celebrity appeal of South as the event season begins. the IFEC market. Africa’s Aeronexus.

06 29 63 89 News Content Show preview Supplier profile Industry headlines Flights of happiness Finding order in Messe Aural delights Recent events from the world of Maintaining mental and Some of the expected ALTO Aviation celebrates two IFEC and on-board technology. physical wellbeing on board. highlights from AIX Hamburg. decades.

36 W-IFE Going wireless Is the future of in-flight entertainment wireless?

14 42 69 93 Operator profile Show review Innovation Cabin interiors A nod to the future Up for discussion A crystal salute Innovation by design An expanding Alaska Airlines Highlights from Inflight ’s Middle Some of this year’s Crystal Recognising innovation in continues to innovate. East event. Cabin Award submissions. cabin interiors.

18 75 98 EFB technology Cyber security Guest column A question of connectivity Hacked off The last word Will bandwidth stymie the Are in-flight entertainment The connected aircraft supply potential of EFBs? systems vulnerable to attack? chain by Bhoopathi Rapolu.

47 NFC In the next issue... Near and far In-seat power Near field communication technology could soon take off. Audio technology

23 52 81 Satellite Big Data Catering Market insight communications The new oil Plane food Time to deliver Where page numbers are shown in The high-value proposition of An insight into how airlines are The future of in-flight connectivity red boxes, the articles concerned are data explored. targeting foodies. in Europe. part of our business aviation section.

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING Production Controller / Marina Blackburn Editor / Alexander Preston Sales Manager / Toby Walton [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] CIRCULATION © HMG Aerospace Ltd, 2017 ISSN 2045-385X Editorial Assistant / Ariana Khushal Marketing Specialist / Ross McSweeny Subscription Enquiries: HMG Aerospace Ltd, 103 Mytchett Road, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mytchett, Surrey, GU16 6ES, UK Tel: +44 1252 545993 Fax: +44 1252 408674 Asia-Pacific Correspondent / Emma Kelly DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT www.hmgaerospace.com [email protected] Graphic Designer / Paul Firth Publisher / Mark Howells [email protected] Director / Becky Howells Follow us: Contributors / Henry Canaday, Joshua [email protected] Flood, Kathryn B Creedy, Thomas Tripp @inflightmag inflightmagazine

Distribution of Inflight is carefully controlled for industry-related individuals. For non-qualifiers who wish to subscribe, the annual subscription rate is £100. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of HMG Aerospace Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Strategic partner viewpoint

Alexander Preston Editor And the winner is… The industry event season is now upon us. The Inflight team is gearing up for the forthcoming Aircraft Interiors Exhibition (AIX), which we preview in this issue. Our diaries are already filling up as we await a series of announcements, both product and customer related, which will be made during the show. A flavour of the event can be found later in this issue, and we’ll be reporting back every day via our popular e-newsletter show dailies during the event itself. Our event season commenced with the fifth Inflight Middle East Pavilion, Workshop and Awards. With overall show attendance up by over 30% to 4,761, and a record number of delegates attending the Inflight Workshop, the two-day show had an extremely busy feel. Inflight exhibitors were quick to point to the quality of footfall, with several enjoying fruitful meetings with the region’s major and regional carriers. In fact, 22% of the Inflight event delegates were senior airline representatives. Many of these airlines were represented in the Inflight Middle East Awards ceremony, which brought the event to a close. Read more about the Workshop and Award winners inside. Speaking of awards, there is much anticipation surrounding this year’s Crystal Cabin Award. A record number of submissions highlights the efforts taking place across the industry to bring the benefits of innovation to improving the passenger experience – whether materials, cabins, seating or other elements of the aircraft interior. Good luck to you. As always, Inflight will be present to congratulate the winners. ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONS ZODIAC CABIN Connected Cabin Division newsP.6 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com news American Airlines says ‘no’ to seat-back IFE American Airlines’ (AA’s) Those phones and tablets are channels, without purchasing an on its widebodies and some of its forthcoming Boeing 737 MAX continually upgraded, they’re easy in-flight internet connection. narrowbodies used for specific aircraft will be delivered without to use, and most importantly they Those paying to get online will flights, as well as its Boeing 777s, seat-back video screens. are the technology that our be able to access high-speed, 787s, Airbus A330s, and A350s, In a statement, the airline said, customers have chosen. So it satellite-based internet that is which begin arriving next year. “We know in-flight entertainment is makes sense for American to focus being installed on the MAX and The airline is also committed to important to our customers, which on giving customers the best other aircraft, enabling seat-back screens on its three- is why we’ve committed to offering entertainment and fast connection passengers to stream Netflix, class A321s, and 40 current- free, streaming high-quality movies options, rather than installing seat- Amazon, and other video on generation B737s, which will be and music, and to investing in fast back monitors that will be obsolete demand, as well as to text and delivered this year with power at satellite-based internet access and within a few years.” browse the web. every seat. power at every seat across our Passengers with personal Both the free streaming library By the summer of 2018, AA will domestic fleet. electronic devices will be able to and satellite internet connections have completed installation of the “More than 90% of our watch free movies and TV shows will work gate to gate. faster satellite-based Wi-Fi on half passengers already bring a device from an extensive on-board library, Despite this move, AA is of its narrowbodies, with all or screen with them when they fly. as well as free live television committing to seat-back screens completed by the end of 2019. Emirates unveils A380 Onboard Lounge

through small but successive Onboard Lounge will make its enhancements in line with operational debut in July 2017. customer feedback to increase the Emirates will also introduce amount of space for our customers soundproof curtains to partition to interact in the lounge. the Onboard Lounge area from “In our latest revamp, we have the other cabins, put in additional taken inspiration from private soft ambient lighting options, new yacht cabins, and amongst other window blinds with integrated LED thoughtful touches, we have mood lighting, and subwoofers for increased the seating space, and surround sound. The lounge also Emirates has announced a its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft. also made it more intimate and features a 55-inch LCD screen so multi-million-dollar cabin interiors Sir Tim Clark, president of conducive for our passengers to passengers can view the latest upgrade programme for its A380 Emirates Airline said, “Since we first socialise or enjoy our lounge flight information, or enjoy live TV and Boeing 777 fleet, and includes launched the product in 2008, our service,” he added. broadcasts of the latest news or an enhanced Onboard Lounge for A380 Onboard Lounge has gone The new Emirates A380 sports updates. Gogo 2Ku exceeds 100 Mbps in test Gogo has achieved speeds in modem and new high-throughput over time. We also continue to Installation of the new modem excess of 100 Mbps using its satellites,” said Anand Chari, improve our aircraft hardware – will begin in the second half of proprietary 2Ku antenna during Gogo’s chief technology officer. servers, modems, antenna, and this year. Eventually, the product its latest test flight. “We have capacity on HTS wireless access points. This will be providing high-speed “When we launched 2Ku, we satellites in orbit today and 2Ku’s performance achievement internet on more than 1,500 2Ku knew that the performance would open architecture allows us to take demonstrates the progress we’ve and 250 Ku aircraft across 13 get better with our next-generation advantage of satellite innovations made on both fronts.” leading airlines. news Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.7 / Volumenews 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Frankfurt airport uses All-in-one contactless VR videos for upgrades handheld MPoS

London-based mobile point of utilise the benefits of Microsoft sale (MPoS) specialist, ECR Retail Windows 10 Enterprise and can Systems, has launched the communicate via Wi-Fi, 4G and ECRGo2, the first fully certified, all- Bluetooth. It meets all necessary in-one contactless, handheld MPoS security and payment standards, device for the airline industry. and is EMV levels 1 and 2 and PCI The terminal reduces the certified. The terminal also runs number of devices currently ECR’s unique AirPoS software and required to take payments and means that the system can be Passengers could experience premium economy virtually and then for real. enables airlines to meet VISA and used as a wider strategic business MasterCard’s contactless mandate, tool that provides smart analytics Lufthansa has used virtual reality choosing those where there were requiring merchants that accept about in-flight retail trends for (VR) glasses in Frankfurt’s Terminal still enough seats free in premium payments from these networks to marketing, logistics and customer 1 with selected intercontinental economy class. Up until 40 establish contactless payments as service teams. flights as a way of offering minutes before departure, standard by the end of 2019. Simon Pont, CEO, ECR Retail economy-class passengers an passengers were given the ECRGo2 is fully mobile- and Systems, said: “Enabling airline upgrade (for an additional charge) chance to test out Lufthansa’s web-enabled and is available with crews to work even more to premium economy directly new travel class in three a host of features, including a 2D productively and efficiently on before their departure. dimensions by personnel from a barcode reader; a card reader board will have a hugely profitable Lufthansa used the two-week promotion agency. (PIN-entry device) that accepts all effect on airlines’ businesses. We promotional period to draw Passengers who decided to go payment types including mobile have put a lot of thought into the passengers’ attention to the for the upgrade could then pay wallet options such as Apple Pay, design of the ECRGo2 and believe new travel class, including extra the surcharge directly at the gate Google Wallet, and PayPal, plus that this first all-in-one contactless leg room and on-board services, via a mobile payment device. chip and PIN, and swipe and sign MPoS payment device not only as well as presenting the airline Lufthansa has already achieved payments; a 5-inch capacitive improves the customer experience as ‘a company which embraces considerable success in the US touchscreen, and an on-board, for the modern passenger, but that innovation’. with upgrading passengers to silent thermal printer. it will significantly help cabin crews Flights were selected for the premium economy through the According to the company, the be more effective and efficient with promotion on a daily basis, use of VR. ECRGo2 has been designed to their in-flight duties.” Airline hackathon event concludes Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural prototypes (mobile applications) Maxis; and Malaysia Digital participants benefit from this MABHackathon event has from creative and innovative Economy Corporation (MDEC). All initiative and continue pursuing culminated with a final ideas utilising the application 21 applications were evaluated their passion for innovation. 25-hour hacking session at programming interface (API) and based on the user interface and As this will now be a yearly Malaysia Airlines Training platform provided by Malaysia experience, innovation, impact, programme, we want to Academy, Kelana Jaya. Airlines Berhad’s IT Division, resources sharing and overall encourage more local talents Led by the airline’s IT Amadeus, and IBM. quality, in categories including to participate. Division, MABHackathon is a After 25 hours developing the in-flight entertainment and “We are optimistic that the series of hacking labs and mobile app solutions, the group in-flight Wi-Fi. MABHackathon will help position activities that began in presented their prototypes to a The Gravity WolfPack was the airline to be more creative November and culminated in panel of judges from the recognised as first overall and innovative, and ultimately Hack Day. airline’s subsidiaries (MASwings, runner-up team and Paper Plane provide our customers with a The two-day hacking event Firefly and Aerodarat Services), as second runner-up for their more superior experience while saw a total of 100 participants and industry experts as well as respective IFE apps. improving the efficiency of the grouped into 21 teams, partners from IBM Asia Pacific, Malaysia Airlines’ CEO, Peter airline’s overall operations,” competing to develop Greater China and Japan; Bellew, said, “We hope that added Bellew. newsP.8 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com Qantas reveals premium economy seat several sections shift to support compartments and two USB your body as you move into a more charging points per seat, as well as relaxing position. shared AC power and a personal Other features include a LED light designed to minimise separate cabin of 28 seats, disturbance of other passengers. configured in a two–three–two “The Qantas Dreamliner will be layout to improve aisle access for flying some of the longest routes in middle passengers; an the world, including non-stop from ergonomically designed headrest Perth to London, so we’ve focused that can be fitted with a specially on making each cabin the most Flights between Perth and London begin in March 2018. designed pillow and a comfortable in its class,” said Joyce. Qantas Group chief executive fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners re-engineered footrest that The new premium economy seat officer Alan Joyce has unveiled the from October. significantly increases comfort is based on a prototype by airline’s new premium economy The new seat, which is 10% wider when reclining; high-definition Thompson Aero Seating and has seat to employees and media at and has more functional space Panasonic in-flight entertainment been heavily customised by the carrier’s Sydney headquarters. overall, has a unique recline motion. seat-back screens that are 25% leading Australian industrial The seat will debut on the airline’s When the rear of the seat reclines, larger, and five individual storage designer David Caon. Air Côte d’Ivoire signs up for connectivity services Air Cote d’Ivoire (VRE) has on five new Air Côte d’Ivoire d’Ivoire will take delivery of the Africa’s airlines to achieve recently signed up for in-flight A320s equipped with Airbus’s last of the five new A320s. in-flight connectivity in the passenger connectivity services Airline Network Architecture Stephan Egli, commercial continent using SITAONAIR as from SITAONAIR. (ALNA) server platform. The regional VP for the Middle East their service provider of choice, The new deal will deliver services will make use of and Africa, SITAONAIR, said, “We VRE is part of an in-flight Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR SwiftBroadband, an IP-based are very proud to be helping Air connectivity revolution gaining connectivity solutions to VRE’s data service from Inmarsat that Cote d’Ivoire to deliver a brand- momentum across Africa, as the new A320s. SITAONAIR, as distributor, will new fleet of A320s with the airlines in the region look to offer In June 2017, SITAONAIR’s operate as service provider. quality in-flight connectivity the same quality of product for teams will begin activating The project is set for services passengers increasingly passengers as other regions like Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR completion in 2019, when Air Côte demand. With the first five of their Middle East neighbours.” Restaurant delivery service takes to the skies

“There are no additional costs no later than 12 hours before the Dutch start-up company iFleat, and for the carrier or the caterers, it flight – from restaurants in the airberlin offer a unique catering service. simply relies upon a partnership German capital, which is delivered between the airline and ourselves to the aircraft on the day of travel. to make it happen. Overall I To date, five Berlin restaurants believe it is a win–win situation are partnered with the service, for everyone involved – each offering a different style of passengers are happy that they food, and iFLEAT is set to roll out are getting a delicious meal, in various other cities serviced by which in turn creates positive airberlin and its partner, Sky feelings towards the airline and Catering, including Abu Dhabi in iFLEAT, a downloadable to pre-order restaurant food hopefully generates loyalty,” says the UAE, and New York, Miami and app-based service that simply ahead of their flight, is now founder Jaap Roukens. Chicago in the US. requires passengers to fill in available across the airberlin airberlin launched the iFLEAT iFLEAT is also partnering with their name and booking network and is being rolled out service in October 2016. The app three other major global airlines number before allowing them across other airlines this year. can be used to pre-order food – in 2017. Aero-FullPgAd.pdf 1 1/4/17 11:09 AM news Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com DELIVERING IN FLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

CMY

K newsP.10 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

PriestmanGoode reveals wide-body cabin designs for SAA

New cabin designs for South designed in keeping with the African Airways’ (SAA’s) wide-body business-class seat on the A320 fleet of new A330-300 aircraft programme, with fabric- in-seat have been unveiled by upholstered seats to provide a PriestmanGoode. more comfortable environment for PriestmanGoode’s designs for long journeys. the A330-300 fleet include Custom features of the seat South African Airways has worked with PriestmanGoode since 2014 business-class and economy- include an upholstered personal class cabins, as well as entrance stowage area, designed to store the seat a more domestic stowage areas as well as privacy Power areas, brand panels and cabin small, valuable passenger items appearance, including a soft and direct aisle access. branding throughout the aircraft. such as watches, rings, earrings, stowage/stand for tablet devices The economy-class cabin Luke Hawes, director at mobile phones, and a specific for dual screening as well as features a custom Geven seat PriestmanGoode, says “This new area for personal notebooks and standard stowage purposes. The upholstered in fabric with a phase in the programme provides small laptops. 15-inch monitor is a high-resolution bespoke pattern inspired by SAA with a continued consistent, There is also a personal touch screen for enhanced contemporary African crafts. The systems elegant design language with stowage shroud designed to viewing, and a cocktail table cabin retains touches of vibrant subtle detailing and highlights of create a distinct look for SAA, seamlessly integrates with the rest blue on headrests and in stitching vibrant colour and pattern.” which focused on integrating seat of the seat. details, carrying on the language The business-class cabin features such as passenger The flat bed measures close to of the A320 aircraft interiors. features a custom Thompson reading light and seat controls; a two metres with ample width. Each The new A330-300 aircraft is Vantage XL seat. The look is monitor shroud designed to give passenger has large personal now flying on selected routes. Delta 767 transformed Pakistan International into art gallery Airlines Wows Delta and The Coca-Cola In addition to the in-the-air art Bluebox Wow, a portable Bluebox Ai solution surpassed our Company have teamed up to gallery, Delta will be displaying wireless solution from Bluebox expectations, and now we have a be a suPerhero to bring art to the tray table. the original trays in Concourse A, Aviation, has been deployed by new way of delivering even more Together with 12 artists from between gates A15 and A11 at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). products and services to our around the world, Delta and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson The airline unveiled its streaming passengers through the advertising your Passengers. ® Coca-Cola have created an art International Airport. wireless IFE on selected domestic options available on Bluebox Wow.” Choose emPower in-seat Power systems and your Passengers gallery in the sky – transforming The promotion will be flights in January, using Bluebox’s In the first phase of deployment, will see you in a whole new way—as a suPerhero! • their the tray tables on one of the continued across social media iPad-based portable IFE solution 30 hours of content will be available Flights will Fly by as they remain ProduCtive and entertained, airline’s 767 aircraft into one-of-a- with additional content, including on its long-haul flights for business- to passengers, including dramas, simultaneously Powering and Charging their laPtoPs tablets kind works of art. video footage and other behind- class passengers. comedies, children’s movies, , Each artist brought their own the-scenes features, showing the “We were delighted by the Tilawat, documentaries, safety and other mobile deviCes while in use. and you’ll thrill your personal style and taste to their artists in action. success of our portable IFE videos, Urdu feature films and management, Cabin Crew and maintenanCe staFF with the most trays and drew inspiration from Delta serves Coca-Cola programme with Bluebox, which music. The second phase will reliable, most requested in-seat Power system, with Patented some of the airline’s most popular products on all of its flights and enabled us to provide preloaded deliver further content, including Power management the lightest most ComPaCt Form FaCtor destinations, including: in Sky Clubs, serving more than iPad devices, but this takes us so western movies, interactive games ; , ; Amsterdam, Atlanta, London, Los 354 million drinks per year. much further in being able to for kids, moving maps and and the highest available Power For 110 vaC and usb. • Angeles, Mexico City, New York Delta developed and delight passengers who wish to use advertising options. ContaCt astroniCs, the industry leader, and see how it Feels City, Paris, São Paulo, Seattle, implemented the concept of their own devices but still access Initially, Bluebox Wow-powered to Fly like a suPerhero. Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. the flying art gallery in our licensed content,” said wireless streaming will be available Each piece of art celebrates collaboration with creative Muhammad Aamir Memon, general on selected flights on PIA’s themes of optimism, travel, agency Wieden+Kennedy New manager, brand and in-flight Karachi–Islamabad and Karachi– refreshment and happiness. York and Coca-Cola. entertainment at PIA. “The original Lahore routes. ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS | US Office +1.425.881.1700 | Europe Office +41.61.303.8828 www.astronics.com news Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

in-seat

Power

systems

be a suPerhero to your Passengers. Choose emPower® in-seat Power systems and your Passengers will see you in a whole new way—as a suPerhero! • their Flights will Fly by as they remain ProduCtive and entertained, simultaneously Powering and Charging their laPtoPs, tablets and other mobile deviCes while in use. and you’ll thrill your management, Cabin Crew and maintenanCe staFF with the most reliable, most requested in-seat Power system, with Patented Power management; the lightest, most ComPaCt Form FaCtor; and the highest available Power For 110 vaC and usb. • ContaCt astroniCs, the industry leader, and see how it Feels to Fly like a suPerhero.

ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS | US Office +1.425.881.1700 | Europe Office +41.61.303.8828 www.astronics.com P.12 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com newsbusiness aviation Experiential Aviation experience

hypnotherapy and sleep therapy comfortably or get the required by holistic health guru April Norris. amount of sleep on the plane,” The services of a photojournalist, says Patrick. To ensure the utmost videographer, and social media comfort for its guests, Passport to secretary are enlisted to 50 will boast a one-to-one ratio of document the trip for guests on guests to staff, with a cast of 50 board, leaving more bandwidth for hand-picked professionals, each clients to enjoy the many aspects experts in their respective fields. of their vacation. “Particular attention is paid to DreamMaker has appointed the optimum blend of sleep and hypnotherapist April Norris to enjoyment as one’s inability to develop a holistic program that properly rest will negate anything Luxury travel boutique the experience for almost 30 integrates cutting-edge wearable enjoyed in the air or on the DreamMaker has revealed years,” says founder Gregory sleep technology with alternative ground,” says Patrick. “Certified Experiential Aviation as part of its Patrick. “Through Experiential wellness techniques such as sleep professionals are on board US$13.8 million private jet trip Aviation, we are innovating and hypnotherapy, Reiki healing, to orchestrate light, sounds, around the world – Passport to 50. enhancing the experience from Ayurvedic medicine, and the aroma, hypnotherapy, and even The DreamMaker experience is wheels up to wheels down.” Some attention of a Doctor of wearable sleep technology to scheduled for 11 August 2017, and key features include in-flight yoga Acupuncture. “It is irrelevant how ensure that guests are rested will cover 20 cities in 20 days. sessions, spa services, fashion big and beautiful your private jet is enough to optimise their “DreamMaker has focused on shows, and a hybrid of if you are unable to relax awareness and wellbeing.” Luxaviation Helicopters launches

Luxaviation Helicopters, part of helicopter operators in Europe with however, requires highly trained the Luxaviation Group, has EASA approval, allowing the crews, world-class maintenance and launched as the first VIP helicopter company to operate charter flights a professional and experienced management company. to offshore yachts and cruise liners. back office to arrange customs, Luxaviation Helicopters will Charlotte Pedersen (pictured), permits and security preparations for specialise in helicopter formerly COO of Luxaviation our clients whose end destinations Luxaviation Helicopters will management, delivering services to Group, will lead Luxaviation might not be an established airport. manage all helicopter activity helicopter owners including crew Helicopters as CEO. Luxaviation Helicopters has the within the Group. The business will provision, training, maintenance Pedersen says, “Modern global ability to manage all these continue to expand worldwide via co-ordination, charter services, helicopters have the ability to fly preparations to perfection, alongside organic growth, company sales and acquisitions. From spring almost everywhere, in all-weather the highest security precautions and acquisitions and joint venture 2017, Luxaviation Helicopters will conditions, and can be even faster confidentiality, which is of equal agreements with existing become one of the first VIP than jets on short distances. This, importance in today’s world.” helicopter companies. Management moves at Embraer Embraer has appointed CEO, stated, “We are thrilled that “I’m honoured to assume the Left to right: Paulo Cesar, Michael Amalfitano, Marco Tulio Michael Amalfitano as president Michael has decided to join executive position Marco has held and CEO of its Executive Jets Embraer to lead our Executive and privileged to lead an amazing business unit, effective 1 March. Jets business. We are confident team of dedicated employees and Amalfitano succeeds Marco that as a very seasoned and leverage our highly valued Tulio Pellegrini who is moving into successful executive he is portfolio of aircraft to the benefit another, as yet unannounced, qualified to take advantage of our of our customers and leadership position. position as a leading player in this shareholders globally”, Paulo Cesar Silva, Embraer highly competitive industry.” commented Amalfitano. ad_inflight_2017.indd 1 06/02/2017 21:15 P.14 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Alaska Airlines president and COO and Virgin America CEO Ben Minicucci stands in front of a specially painted, co-branded 737-900ER.

As a marker, it has ranked ‘Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America’, nine years in a row in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study; it has also secured the number-one spot in the Wall Street Journal’s A nod to annual ‘Middle Seat Scorecard’ for the past four years; and been named the number-one on-time major North American carrier by FlightStats for seven years in a row.

SERVICE INVESTMENT the future In November 2016, Alaska announced a new Regularly praised for its high customer satisfaction, Alaska premium class on its Boeing 737-800s and Airlines continues to trailblaze. Ariana Khushal finds there is 737-900s, which it began rolling out on ‘more to love’ following its merger with Virgin America. select routes at the beginning of January. Seat configuration for premium class will differ depending on the aircraft. Currently, “For over 75 years, Alaska Airlines, There followed several more mergers, and Alaska Airlines’ 737-800, -900, and -900ER and the people who make us who we are, further name changes, until Alaska Airlines aircraft are being retrofitted with new have been guided by integrity, caring, was finally adopted in 1944. seating. All 737-800s and Embraer E175s ingenuity, professionalism, and a unique Over time, Alaska has grown from a small were scheduled to have premium class by 5 spirit. A spirit that was and has grown out regional airline into an international carrier, January, with all 737-900/900ERs due to be of our geographical roots,” declares Alaska which presently carries over 17 million upgraded by the end of 2017. A decision on Airlines on its website. customers a year, and a route system when the 737-700s will be retrofitted will be Alaska Airlines started service in 1932 as spanning over 60 cities and three countries. announced mid-2017. McGee Airways, with a three-seat Stinson Its fleet of Boeing aircraft is one of the most The airline has announced it will retire its aircraft. A merger with Star Air Service in modern in the industry, helping the airline fleet of 737-400s during the coming year. 1934 created the largest airline in Alaska. acquire a reputation for outstanding services. The upgrade option will also be available on Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.15 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Alaska Airlines and Virgin America employees wear commemorative t-shirts celebrating the merger.

the E175s operated by SkyWest Airlines and soon, Horizon Air. The new section offers an additional four inches of legroom, with 35 inches of space between rows, compared to the 31 to 32 inches between rows in the rest of the main cabin. As well as the extra legroom, the Recaro seats have leather covers and a six- way adjustable headrest. Power outlets are available throughout the cabin. Premium-class passengers will enjoy early boarding, complimentary snacks and alcoholic beverages. More than 40% of Alaska’s fleet has been retrofitted with the new section and by year end, more than 90% will feature it. The aircraft retrofits will also result in significantly expanded legroom in the first- class cabin, which will increase from 36 to 41–42 inches, and be among the most passengers to watch popular TV shows for The music section has a custom playlist spacious first-class cabins domestically. free and pay-per-view movies on a personal that features two albums from Sub Pop, the According to the airline, “In addition to electronic device from a large library of Seattle-based independent record label that the increased legroom, first-class customers videos stored on the aeroplane, accessible popularised Nirvana, Soundgarden and The will continue to enjoy a seat that is four via the Gogo Entertainment app. Shins. In addition, each month the airline inches wider, free in-flight entertainment The carrier offers over 200 titles, including offers a selection of kids’ programing in its tablets, a complimentary selection of fine around 40 movies and the latest episodes own dedicated area – Kids Zone. wines and spirits, and chef-inspired, locally- from popular channels including HGTV, Food Of great excitement, however, are the new sourced snacks and meals.” Network and Travel Channel. Content is offerings for 2017. As the airline explains, In the past few years Alaska has made available after take-off on most Alaska flights. hot on the heels of its acquisition of significant investments to improve its The free title library is updated as close to California-based airline Virgin America, it on-board experience. the beginning of the month as possible, has debuted a complimentary new service to By the end of this year, the airline aims while pay-per-view content is updated “help fliers stay connected with friends and to have outfitted nearly half its 737s with continually depending on Hollywood studio loved ones on the ground.” new larger overhead bins with 48% more release dates. As of 6 January, passengers on Alaska’s capacity, to fit more carry-on items. Most On most flights of 3.5 hours or more, Gogo-equipped flights have been able to use of the mainline aircraft will feature new customers have access to a Toshiba in-flight iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook custom Recaro leather seating with 110 V entertainment tablet. This premium product Messenger to send greetings from 35,000 of power and a USB connector at every seat. is free in first class and available for rent in feet – for free. “The on-board product enhancements the main cabin and premium class. As Harrison explains, “We know that staying announced in early January are just the Tablets are pre-loaded with over two in touch while on the go is essential to our beginning of the new features and dozen new release and classic films, some guests, many of whom don't need full Internet promotions passengers can expect to see us still available in cinemas, and Xbox games access. Free Chat is a great way to keep that implement over the next year,” comments such as Microsoft’s classic Solitaire, as well as connection alive without breaking the bank. Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ executive Microsoft Sudoku, Minesweeper, Mahjong, And yes, it’s fully emoji-compatible.” vice-president and chief commercial officer. Jigsaw and Treasure Hunt. Available digital Free Chat is the first of a variety of new magazines include National Geographic, Us in-flight products Alaska is rolling out in CAPTIVE AUDIENCES Weekly and Wired, among others. The battery 2017. In addition to the brand-new Alaska currently offers two options for lasts for about six hours of continuous video premium-class service, Alaska is introducing in-flight entertainment. Alaska Beyond, its playback and, on some flights, a power cord a number of enhancements that passengers streaming entertainment system, allows is provided for convenience. can enjoy from any class of service. P.16 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Alaska is rolling out a series of on-board product enhancements throughout 2017.

airlines may look different, but our core customer and employee focus is very much the same,” he concluded. Alaska is conducting extensive customer research to understand what customers value most about the Virgin America brand. In the coming months, the business will begin to share ideas about the future decisions with regard to the Virgin America brand. “Regardless of the outcome, travellers should not expect to see any major changes to the Virgin America product or on-board experience within the next 12 months,” the airline comments.

ELEVATED EXPERIENCE One immediate change has seen Alaska Airlines open a Mileage Plan to welcome Virgin America Elevate members. To celebrate its recent merger with Virgin America and the concept of ‘different works’, These products are currently limited to Airlines the easiest airline in the world to fly Alaska is offering free, unlimited access to its flights operated by Alaska Airlines. Customer through technology, process, and personal entire catalogue of entertainment available response and feedback is important and will connections, and we look for people who to stream on passenger devices, including determine the future cabin enhancements share that passion. That’s what we found at Hollywood movies and popular TV shows and offerings on Alaska Airlines, Virgin Virgin America, and that’s what will carry us until 31 March 2017. America and Horizon Air-operated flights. forward into the next chapter – together. From January, passengers have begun to “Our employees have worked hard to earn see new food and drink options on the snack SHARE AND CARE the deep loyalty of customers in the Pacific and beverage cart when they travel, including In December 2016, Alaska Air Group Northwest and Alaska, while the Virgin new premium wines from Washington State’s completed its acquisition of Virgin America, America team has done the same in award-winning Chateau Ste. Michelle, as well creating the fifth-largest US airline. Allaying California. Together we will continue to as new premium craft beer, bourbon and a fears that the merge could dilute the deliver what customers tell us they want: sparkling wine from La Marca. on-board passenger experience, Alaska Air low fares, unmatched reliability and “Alaska has long been an industry leader has promised that there will be “more to outstanding customer service. With our in both customer satisfaction and love” in due course. expanded network and strong presence in performance. Customers can expect Commenting upon the acquisition, Brad California, we’ll offer customers more operational and customer service excellence Tilden, chief executive officer of Alaska Air attractive flight options for nonstop travel. to continue throughout the integration with Group said, “Our company is infused with a We look forward to bringing together two Virgin America,” the airline says. pioneering spirit that goes back to our incredible groups of employees to build on “Culture has been a real challenge in many founding in the state of Alaska. Today you the successes they have achieved as mergers, so we're working to do things can see it in our culture of innovation and standalone companies to make us an even differently,” commented Ben Minicucci, the way our employees go above and beyond stronger competitor nationally.” Alaska’s president and COO, and CEO of every day to delight and care for our He added, “Alaska Airlines and Virgin Virgin America when the definitive merger customers. Those are values that I see America are different airlines, but we believe agreement was confirmed. “We are being mirrored in the culture at Virgin America, different works – and we’re confident fliers very thoughtful about culture and are and are what will make us better together. will agree. Together, we’ll offer more flights, working to create an environment that “ ‘Devoted to our customers’ is one of our with low fares, more rewards and more for reflects who we are and where we’ve been, leadership principles here at Alaska Airlines. customers to love, as we continue to offer a that also enables us to work together, be bold, We are relentlessly focused on making Alaska distinctive travel experience. The two and succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.” n Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

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Hawaiian is deploying the latest electronic flight bag technology from UTC Aerospace Systems.

A question of connectivity

Electronic flight bags offer productivity, but require connectivity, incumbent upon the pilot to ensure they says Thomas Tripp. made it into the flight bag. The EFB concept was notionally derived It might not surprise you to learn that one Here, then, is a brief overview of the from laptops and pen-based tablets early in of the first notions of how tablet computers development path, status and outlook for the first decade of this century. Regulatory might be used in flight came from science the modern EFB. schemes allocated EFBs to one of three fiction. In this case, it was Stanley Kubrick’s The classic pilot’s flight bag used to be a classes, depending on their portability and 1968 sci-fi classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. bulky, rectangular leather case, typically level of integration with the aircraft. But while fictional astronauts had them scuffed a bit, and adorned with various Initially, the goal was simply to reduce or back when hippies still roamed free upon the aircraft stickers and airline logos, and eliminate the paper documentation required Earth, it was likely the introduction in 2010 perhaps the pilot’s monogram. Along with on board. Boeing at one point estimated a of Apple’s iPad that heralded the first the slight tilt of the captain’s cap, the suntan 77 lb weight saving for a 777 using an EFB. modern examples of devices that would and aviator glasses, it seemed a required Even for just this one task of digitising the old evolve into today’s ubiquitous electronic part of the kit. It was stuffed with aircraft paper-filled cockpit, EFBs quickly became flight bag (EFB). And what started as literal manuals, operations documents, charts, ubiquitous. The long-time chart provider replacements for the large leather cases, checklists and calculators, and, while Jeppesen, now a part of The Boeing filled with flight-essential documents, that something of a status symbol, was also an Company, has said that it now annually prints pilots carried onto the aircraft, have now administrative nightmare. Once upon a barely a quarter of the one billion pages that further evolved into highly capable devices time, airlines had entire organisations it did before the advent of the EFB. connected directly to aircraft sensors, power, dedicated to updating all those manuals and The earliest classes of these EFBs, and communications networks. charts with every revision, but it was still however, lacked connectivity with the Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.19 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Jeppesen and Boeing’s Aviator is designed to be scalable to allow airlines to manage the ever-increasing generation of data and apps.

aircraft’s sensor and data systems EFBs are modular, tablet based, and were basically reference and maximise aircraft in-flight data tools, although the addition of connectivity through satellite embedded GPS allowed some communications systems and the EFBs to be used for taxiway Aircraft Communications guidance on the airfield, with Addressing and Reporting System detailed moving map displays. (ACARS). The earliest Class III EFBs were permanently mounted in the SITUATIONAL AWARENESS cockpits, often at knee level on For flight crews, the UTCAS the cockpit sidewalls, and were connected EFBs enhance the ability connected to aircraft power, to evaluate aircraft performance sensor, and data systems, but and weather conditions while also utilised relatively limited display providing the airline with a cost- units that were discrete from effective, low-risk means to their electronic brains, which upgrade the software. UTCAS EFBs were typically installed in the allow a pilot’s iOS or Windows equipment bays. tablet to receive real-time updates EFBs resembling those in use from the aircraft and airline today first appeared in the wake network. Information transfer of the introduction of the Apple occurs through the aircraft’s data iPad. Pilots began experimenting connectivity and is received with iPad-based EFB solutions in securely through UTCAS’s Aircraft 2011 and American Airlines was Interface Device (AID) and its one of the first major carriers to patented Tablet Interface Module implement a fleet-wide iPad- (TIM). The tablet EFB systems based EFB program in 2012. The provide Bluetooth connectivity iPad, and later, Microsoft Windows-based Melissa Jacob, business leader, Aircraft between the tablet and TIM during all tablets, provided compact units with multi- Data Management, UTC Aerospace Systems phases of flight. touch screens and thin form factors that (UTCAS) describes the process. “In simple Lufthansa Systems offers a suite of EFB required no discrete processing or power terms, we envision an operational applications used by more than 70 airlines units. Several companies now supply EFB transformation in which our customers trade around the world and recently announced the solutions based on these updated tablets. their current, static tablet EFBs, which are latest version of its fully integrated and The real key to further expansion and essentially simple chart and document connected mPilot for iOS. “The trend towards value of EFBs, however, is linked to viewers, into connected devices with real- mobile solutions for a paperless flight deck significantly improving the integration of the time links to all areas of the operation, and greater flexibility for pilots and airlines EFB into the aircraft’s sensor, data and, improving both operational efficiency and shows no sign of slowing down,” said Igor especially, communications resources. This situational awareness.” Dimnik, director of products at Lufthansa connectivity enables EFBs to be much more To illustrate the maturation process of the Systems. “With our new Lido/mPilot 2.0 app, than document and chart displays. Using EFB, Hawaiian Airlines’ adoption of the we are taking another step in the direction of real-time aircraft flight data, they can now latest EFB product from UTCAS is a good connectivity on the flight deck.” calculate route and performance place to start. Late in 2016, UTCAS and Lufthansa Systems worked with UTC enhancements, monitor and improve fuel Hawaiian announced that the airline would Aerospace Systems and their products to burn, and provide pilots with much- deploy the supplier’s latest EFB technology turn an iPad installed with Lido/mPilot 2.0 improved real-time weather information. to provide enhanced functionality, greater into a fully fledged connected EFB. Using a Connected EFBs may also be used to safety and stronger cybersecurity via a UTCAS Tablet Interface Module, which has a display real-time, crowd-sourced custom-tailored network security Bluetooth connection, the iPad is linked to information, such as en route weather, architecture. The airline says that, for the company’s AID, which enables data gathered by other aircraft airborne in the passengers, the EFBs will mean a more management. This will provide access to same region. efficient and comfortable flight overall. The relevant avionics data, such as GPS P.20 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Lufthansa Systems’ new Lido/mPilot 2.0 has improved performance and better connectivity.

substantial help to airlines that are struggling to manage the increasing number of apps and content on their EFB devices.

CYBER CONCERNS If connectivity is the hallmark of the latest generation of EFBs, then the key will be the interface systems such as those from UTC Aerospace Systems, and the satellite communications developers. Cobham SATCOM does not offer EFB products or applications, but, as designer and manufacturer of L-band satcom systems that support cockpit connectivity, Cobham SATCOM’s new generation AVIATOR S products will combine ACARS data for flight safety purposes with internet protocol (IP) to provide the EFBs with improved information and the aircraft’s speed and which organises all of the various important- connectivity. According to Willem heading. Together the hardware and but-hard-to-find operational notes, Kasselman, vice-president aero business at software will facilitate navigation and communication frequencies, airspace Cobham SATCOM, the system ensures more contribute to improved situational crossings notes and warnings, and regular updates of time-sensitive data like awareness for pilots. instructional text, into a sequenced weather maps and other real-time Lido/mPilot 2.0 also reduces the workload depiction on a ribbon that scrolls and information for pilots while in flight. for pilots. Before a flight, one of the pilots updates as the aeroplane makes progress The AVIATOR S value proposition is that it selects the airport maps and route and stores along the route. is a lightweight package, saving the airlines them on his or her device. Thanks to a new Jeppesen says it is also improving support up to 30 kg in weight, with compliance to import function, the other pilot can then for oceanic operations and serivces into the latest security architectures, designed to import this data directly to their own iPad remote areas, with features including resist cyber threats for the next 20 years. without having to repeat the procedure. This automated plotting and required Extended- With connectivity, however, airlines face a simplifies the administrative processes and range Twin-engine Operational Performance real cybersecurity challenge. Moving from frees up pilots for more important tasks. Standards information, as well as a function expensive closed-circuit, narrow-band Jeppesen’s FliteDeck Pro is broadly used to easily offload the plotted information for communication links to inexpensive across the world – on over 250,000 portable required airline record keeping. Jeppesen broadband IP-based data communications EFB devices, including those used at over says these features will not only further offers airlines and the flight safety and 350 airlines. It is used at the largest airlines reduce the carriage of paper in the form of operations community significant advantages in the world, from American Airlines with a plotting charts, but will make the task easier through communication cost reductions and fleet of over 900 aircraft, all the way down to and more intuitive for pilots. increased bandwidth. The problem is that airlines with just a handful of planes. For iPad/iOS and Windows tablet IP-based open communication architectures With this broad adoption and the platforms, Jeppesen and Boeing are also attract hackers. continuous opportunity to supplement the introducing a product called Aviator, which Says Kasselman, “It is unthinkable to navigation function with features that brings together charting, electronic flight expose flight safety or even commercially improve operational efficiency and increase folder, aircraft performance calculations, sensitive flight operations data to such safety margins, FliteDeck Pro remains a key and software development kits for airline threats. This sets requirements for security focus area for the company. Jeppesen says and third-party apps. Aviator provides a architectures that not only protect each new features in the system’s latest release common framework where information can function with multiple security measures, include layering in airline-tailored content, be more effectively managed and shared but also segregate every function from high-resolution airport moving maps across applications. Jeppesen sees the others, so that a successful hack only blended seamlessly into the data-driven Aviator framework as something that will compromises a small subset of the total map, and a new feature called ‘Smart Notes’, continue to grow and evolve, and provide number of system functions, retaining the Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.21 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

majority of the system functionality to and Analysis Center, and required periodic issues that precluded flight, updates of ensure the safe return of the aircraft.” software reviews to ensure ongoing older on-board and ground-based computer Cobham SATCOM employs such robustness. In addition, UTCAS continues to systems could significantly reduce flight architectures, along with a certified secure develop intellectual property related to interruptions, improve flight safety and operating system to ensure the integrity of cybersecure communication. save operators money through increased data passed through the satcom terminal. Upgraded (satellite) connectivity likely operational efficiency.” Jacob points out UTC Aerospace Systems also points out will provide benefits in the future that that technology has evolved significantly that specific airworthiness process could help prevent some of the recent since many aircraft in safe operation today specifications (such as DO-326, DO-355 and major service disruptions experienced by originally entered service. DO-356), in addition to the ARINC 811 airlines in the US. UTCAS’s Jacob notes, commercial aircraft security framework, “On at least one occasion, the cause is IP FUTURE address cybersecurity concerns industry- believed to be a significant reduction in “Today, on-board solutions such as the EFB wide. UTCAS says it ensures adherence to traffic flow through ACARS, which permits exist, enabling connectivity between the these stringent directives through rigorous the airlines operations centre to aircraft and the operations centre even design and process controls that include communicate with the pilot via text when traditional systems such as ACARS routine internal and third-party system messages to finalise flight plans and over radio are not working.” audits, tracking of emerging threats through complete pre-take-off safety verifications.” Jacob says the FAA’s efforts to modernise participation in industry working groups, According to Jacob, “While these airline the exchange of information between pilot such as the Aviation Information Sharing operators have addressed the immediate and air traffic controllers via its Data

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Lufthansa Technik has recently selected UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aircraft Interface Device solution. Photo: UTC Aerospace Systems

exchange flight data with the operations centre, connected operations via an AID enable pilots to receive near real-time weather and traffic updates as well as providing ground operations with flight- tracking capabilities. The boxy old leather flight bags have seemingly gone the way of spruce and linen in modern aviation, replaced by equipage. svelte tablet computers that started out She says just as digitised chart and manual storage, usage of an but which are now being connected to Communications (Data Aircraft both the aircraft and the rest of the world. Comm) program have resulted in Interface Device Once the connectivity is fully improved safety and operator savings. solution offering implemented, the application developers Continuing this effort with an additional real-time connectivity would have provided will no doubt find even better ways to focus on IP-based communications links redundancy to the ACARS radio system, improve upon the already significant could further enhance, complement, or even allowing aircraft to be dispatched. In safety and performance enhancements accelerate adoption of the Data Comm addition to providing the means for pilots to delivered by modern EFBs. n

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The A350 XWB is the first and only ‘digital native’ aircraft offering line-fit connectivity since its entry into service, with three connectivity solutions (L-Band/ SwiftBroadband, Ku-Band, and Ka-Band). The new oil Emma Kelly taps into the high anything and anywhere. This allows them to ground. Rockwell Collins’ pioneering project efficiently manage their fleets, accrue cost- Integrated Information System (I2S), in value of data. efficiencies in operations, gain valuable conjunction with German carrier Condor, insights into their customers and hopefully was aimed at connecting an aircraft-based “Data is going to be the next oil for us,” adjust the service accordingly. Delivering a intranet to airline terminal area databases, Dante Dionne, senior IT manager at Korean far more personalised service, both on the providing flight crew, cabin crew, Air’s Innovation Technology Development ground and in the air, ensures those maintenance and passenger applications Centre told delegates at the Airline passengers return time and time again. through a variety of communication links, Passenger Experience (APEX) Expo, which Such a scenario was just a dream in the including satellite communications. took place in Singapore last October. And he 1990s, when Rockwell Collins, Inmarsat and But the industry at the time wasn’t ready wasn’t joking. others envisaged a connected aircraft future. for such a bold plan and the connectivity With the advent of the nose-to-tail Inmarsat, for example, pushed for use of its solutions available didn’t make it connected aircraft and connected global satellite system as a means of commercially viable. Today, however, passengers, airlines can collect data from connecting every aspect of an aircraft to the airlines are ready for the connected present P.24 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Panasonic’s ZeroTouch provides real-time data of an aircraft including media consumption, system health monitoring, aircraft maintenance, and much more.

and future, thanks to the cost of satellite communications coming down, the emergence of new communication pipelines and the growing fleet of aircraft equipped to offer such services.

COLOUR OF MONEY “Finally, it has come together – global, low- cost connectivity that you can provide across any aircraft and every airline,” says Dave Bruner, vice-president, Global aircraft systems; and enable critical On the operational side, Panasonic is Communication Service (GCS) at Panasonic operational data to be automatically partnered with Teledyne on an integrated Avionics. “This is a turning point. It’s the downloaded in real-time during flight, connectivity solution that allows real-time gold at the end of the rainbow with how it allowing maintenance teams to prepare for data transfers during flight, by combining empowers the airline and allows it to run an aircraft before it lands. Teledyne’s Wireless GroundLink Comm+ more efficiently,” he adds. In terms of passenger experience, product with Panasonic’s GCS. The partners As of late last year, Panasonic alone ZeroTouch will allow airlines to personalise are working on a range of data automation claimed a 47% connectivity market share, and enhance the in-flight offering and the solutions, including real-time weather, with 77 customers, over 3,500 aircraft passenger experience. The service will maintenance, flight, and cabin operations. committed and 1,350-plus aircraft delivered operate over Panasonic’s eXConnect These elements are all part of a wider with GCS. broadband connectivity, 4G cellular, a connected aircraft vision that Panasonic is The growth in its connectivity business terminal wireless LAN unit, or Wi-Fi at the bringing to reality. has been fuelled by a dramatic drop in gate. Airlines will access and manage “The whole model is changing with what connectivity costs since Panasonic first information through a virtual dashboard. we do in real-time… All of these pieces are entered the sector. “That changes everything ZeroTouch is solving an airline business coming together,” says Bruner. But for and brings a whole new world,” says Bruner, problem, Panasonic believes, and while other airlines to make the most of e-enablement, predicting that costs will continue to come players in the industry are offering pieces of they need a champion to bring the pieces down to make it even more attractive to the solution, Panasonic has a comprehensive together and exploit all of the opportunities airlines. Panasonic forecasts that some one, says Bruner. “We’ve been more persistent available, he believes. 12,000 aircraft will be committed to its to make it work,” he adds. ZeroTouch tests are connectivity services by 2025, driving more under way, with full commercial availability BREAKING DOWN SILOES capabilities and bandwidth. anticipated later this year. SITAONAIR agrees. The airline To capitalise on its growing connected In another development, Panasonic’s communication specialist has for many years fleet, late last year Panasonic launched its recently launched Captify is a marketing and been promoting the nose-to-tail capabilities ZeroTouch service, which allows airlines to advertising capabilities platform that allows of the connected aircraft and its product and be fully connected to their fleet, via various airlines to target their on-board marketing service offerings, including passenger, communications links, providing passenger, and advertising. Captify allows real-time cockpit crew, cabin crew, operational, maintenance, operational and flight crew media loading, targeted advertising, aircraft data and maintenance applications. applications. The possibilities with consumer marketing, surveys and Some 37% of airlines currently operate ZeroTouch are endless and will continue to sponsorship opportunities, making it a connected aircraft, with this figure expected grow, Panasonic believes. dynamic experience and bringing to rise to 66% within three years. opportunities for ancillary revenue. According to Katrina Korzenowski, HOLISTIC APPROACH ZeroTouch and Captify also tie in with regional commercial vice-president, Asia- To name just a few applications, ZeroTouch Panasonic’s Companion App initiative, Pacific, there is “more joined-up thinking will allow airlines to deliver real-time launched by Singapore Airlines (SIA) last from airlines than ever before” in the area of passenger data to the aircraft to allow crew year, which allows passengers to preview the e-enablement and the opportunities that to deliver a more personalised in-flight IFE before they board, select a playlist, call it nose-to-tail connectivity can bring. experience; allow media and content up on board and use their personal Once airlines start their e-enablement updates in real time; provide airlines with electronic device as a second screen and a journey, SITAONAIR works with them to real-time information on the performance of means to control the IFE. deliver the benefits. “Now it’s all about the Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com Every innovation starts with a new direction.

Visit us at Aircraft Interiors Expo, from April 4–6, 2017, Lufthansa Technik has a tradition of forging new booth 6B80. paths. Innovation is our daily motivation. Thanks to creative engineering work and cutting-edge research facilities, we constantly set new standards. We develop new aviation technologies, cabin products, and servicing processes in addition to the ongoing further development of our maintenance, repair, and overhaul procedures, and can guarantee technological excellence through our pursuit of the highest quality and safety standards.

Lufthansa Technik AG, [email protected] Call us: +49-40-5070-5553

www.lufthansa-technik.com/research-innovation

064_205x273+3_Innovation_eng_ICv2_RZ01.indd 1 17.02.17 16:22 P.26 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

ZeroG is working with Lufthansa Systems to best use data generated from the BoardConnect platform.

fully connected, with all A350s delivered with connectivity “to serve the needs of the future”, says Wuggetzer. Airbus predicts a future in 2025 with seamless door-to-door connectivity, where passengers will be immersed in a multi-device and cloud content service environment, a truly personalised product and services, which will enhance brand loyalty at the same time. Crew, meanwhile, will have an enhanced service platform that will allow personal interaction enriched by real-time passenger profile information and tools to drive efficiency, pointing to not just the use of iPads but smart glasses or even lenses. Crew will be “continually aligning to passenger roadmap and co-creation. We work with revenue opportunities to airlines, says the DNA within a multi-device environment”, he customers on products and services,” satellite network company. predicts, which will lead to a personalised says Korzenowski. “We believe combining our strengths with experience. Airlines will also benefit from The passenger experience is currently the Arconics will position ViaSat to be the interactive cabin health monitoring and real- principal driver for airlines committing to market leader for connectivity, passenger time data transfer. connectivity (46%), but maintenance and services and flight deck applications and Such an e-enabled future is also aircraft health monitoring (15%), cockpit operations,” says Don Buchman, vice- predicted by the Future Travel Experience benefits (12%) and improvements to cabin president and general manager, commercial Onboard Connectivity 2025 Think Tank, crew activity, such as tablet apps and credit mobility business. which recently revealed its findings. The card payments (7%) are all recognised by Through its acquisition of Arconics, ViaSat Think Tank comprises industry experts airlines as connectivity opportunities. says it expects to offer airlines real-time from airlines, suppliers and aircraft SITAONAIR expects even more insight, control and agility of aircraft and manufacturers, including Stephen Call, e-enablement opportunities with Inmarsat’s flight data with highly integrated, highly connectivity manager at Boeing; Joe recently launched Global Express broadband customisable aircraft operations tools that Leader, chief executive officer of APEX; and connectivity services. tap into the power of the ViaSat Ka-band Panasonic’s Bruner. Meanwhile, ViaSat’s acquisition of Irish satellite network. The Think Tank is intended to drive software and mobile applications provider Before news of the acquisition broke, positive industry change and help the Arconics is designed to strengthen it as an Buchman told Inflight that ViaSat will use industry harness the full potential of the e-enablement facilitator and not just a the “best of breed” to offer such e-enablement connectivity pipeline, including operational provider of passenger connectivity services. solutions. “We want to be the enabler and opportunities, crew empowerment Arconics’ products include the AeroDocs spur innovation,” he says. opportunities, and passenger empowerment document management solution, AeroEFB and personalisation opportunities. electronic flight bag, Cloudstore wireless TRULY PERSONAL It believes that by 2025 approximately 80% IFE system and PaxApp, a new cabin It’s all about connectivity in the future, of aircraft will be connectivity-enabled, all new management app for flight attendants with according to Airbus, with e-enablement aircraft will be delivered with a connectivity tablet, smartphone and smartwatch delivering benefits in terms of the passenger system installed, that data costs will come connectivity. experience and crew applications, says Ingo down incrementally and that speeds of 100- The purchase of Arconics delivers ViaSat Wuggetzer, vice-president cabin marketing. plus megabits per second will be the norm. with broader expertise, aviation-grade The connected aircraft is providing “smart The group believes that all things on software and mobile applications designed opportunities” for the airline business, he board the aircraft will be connected and to make flying safer and more efficient for observes, pointing to ancillary revenue monitored in real time in 2025 – everything pilots, cabin crew and flight operations, as growth forecasts of US$130 billion for 2020 from engine performance to the IFE system, well as applications that entertain compared with $40.5 billion in 2015. As a according to Call. Sensors in seats, lighting, passengers and deliver new service and result, Airbus’ latest aircraft, the A350X, is IFE and other systems will automatically Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.27 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Arconics’ PaxApp gives the cabin crew a way to communicate with other divisions about maintenance, catering or operational issues that need attention, improving quality of service on all fronts.

detect faults and report them to With so much data coming off an aircraft, maintenance teams on the ground, removing airlines need to know what to do with it and the need for crew to manually report them. how to make sense of it in order to improve Airlines will also be able to make better business. Lufthansa Systems subsidiary ZeroG use of real-time weather data to drive is just one of many companies working to do efficiencies. Weather events will be just that – harness the opportunities predicted accurately in real time, allowing e-enablement brings. The company combines crew to react quickly and cost savings to be knowledge of airline processes and data with accrued, through more efficient ascent and expertise in data engineering, exploration and descent profiles, for example. mathematical modelling. It focuses on creating A connected aircraft will also allow crew business value from data in order to increase and passengers to handle irregular customer satisfaction and loyalty, increase operations more effectively, including revenue and/or become more efficient. providing passengers with the ability to ZeroG is currently only working within the troubleshoot their own problems, giving Lufthansa Group, but is looking to extend its them more control. when they reach their destination – similar customer base this year, says Peter Ahnert, In the case of a flight delay and a missed to SIA’s Companion App. In flight, airlines managing director. One of its current connection, for example, the passenger will be able to make use of real-time, data- projects is a “major personalisation could use the airline’s app or website on based, customer-centric personalisation. programme”, while others include ways to their own device to search for and book The e-enabled aircraft will also allow deal with better operational stability in the an alternative, with crew able to assist airlines to rethink their on-board retail face of disruptions and trying to understand, when needed. strategies and boost their ancillary revenues, predict and avoid delays. These are all based In an e-enabled world, a connected crew with passengers able to order products in on data-driven insights, says Ahnert. will create huge opportunities for airlines, flight for delivery at the gate, for example. Ahnert declines to go into specifics, but explains Bruner. Anything from a tablet to a Airlines will be able to tailor offers to one project in the area of the in-flight brooch to a connected wristband will create passengers based on their browsing habits. passenger experience is in conjunction with efficiency benefits, the Think Tank believes. With the increasing use of real-time data, Lufthansa Systems and looking at data Crew will be able to receive passenger- however, come concerns over passenger generated from the BoardConnect wireless related notifications and be able to interact privacy, who ‘owns’ the data, and exactly IFE platform. with passengers via their personal electronic what is being done with it. Data analysis can improve the passenger devices, allowing airlines to deliver a far experience in many ways, ZeroG believes, more personalised service to the economy- DATA MINING from giving flight attendants clues about class cabin, at the same time as more As a result, the FTE Think Tank recommends passenger food and drink preferences, efficiently allocating tasks among crew. the creation of a common, secure network providing recommendations on IFE options Flight attendants will also be able to architecture that wirelessly captures or on-board shopping items. “Airlines can communicate seamlessly with each other in operational data from all aircraft to a secure use data to customise the experience in flight order to better serve the customer, while central ground data repository. But Call and beyond,” he says, adding that it will crew will also be able to control the cabin questions whether the industry is willing to become increasingly important for airlines to environment, including lighting and work together to share the data, and who deliver a more personalised service, beyond temperature, and sensors in the seats will owns the data. Such an approach would the limited work that many airlines are allow them to monitor passenger wellbeing. need a change in mindset in the industry, doing today. The connected passenger is at the heart of the Think Tank concedes. Ahnert says: “Airlines are certainly looking the connected future, with more than 80% “We need to collaborate and work out at usage information from their IFEC systems of passengers carrying a smartphone today. how to share and define the data. How do in order to select the content that their The Think Tank sees a future where Wi-Fi we tackle this? There has to be transparency passengers like most, but typically that’s done synchronisation between the IFE system and to the passenger and between partners and it on a very general level and fails to identify the smartphone will allow passengers to has to enhance the passenger’s seamless passengers’ individual preferences that could preview IFE before they board, choose their experience,” says Korean Air’s Dionne. Then be used to tailor future services and offers selection, bring up the playlist when they get there is the issue of who should create the based on distinct relevance.” on board and even continue watching it repository, says Call. Data is indeed the next oil. n If you want to keep it moving. Try Bucher.

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Flights of happiness

Thomas Tripp asks if there is surprised to find out that fitness and programming’ (BYOP). I suppose we should Reliable Lightweight Elegant Intuitive room for fitness and wellness wellness programming is pretty much a hit- identify a fourth approach to the topic of programming on IFE. or-miss item on in-flight entertainment (IFE) fitness education in flight because it is the media across the industry. dominant one. But simply ignoring the topic Bucher Aerospace is your partner for reliable light weight interior mechanisms. Currently, there are three affirmative completely seems like it really isn’t in the Most of us know we should get more approaches to the fitness and wellness topic. spirit of our search here. Contact us at [email protected] and find out about our latest premium-class regular exercise, and the experts all tell us First is the actual regular fitness programming Fitness and wellness as a topic for IFE is food tray tables, IFE deployment systems, and other moving cabin components. that we just have to make it a part of our on a bare handful of carriers. Second is the driven by two principal concerns. The first is regular schedule. If we don’t make sure it’s example of many of the long-haul airlines the now well-understood (if modest) risk of on the daily plan, we know it’s not going to who publish health and wellness tips either health issues like Deep Vein Thrombosis happen. The second thing we know about on the company website or in the in-flight (DVT) – essentially blood clots that form in the 2017 passenger experience is that we magazine. Third is the most indirect at-risk people when normal movement is want our airborne experiences to match our approach, yet one that may eventually serve restricted for extended periods of time. To lives on the ground. So, you won’t be as the default, and that is ‘bring your own this first concern we can add an increasing www.bucher-group.com Aircraft Interior Solutions P.30 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com

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Thales InFlyt Experience taught many of us not only to become more active but also more aware and educated about health and wellness in general. Wherever safety and security matter, we deliver Globally, nearly a third of the population does not get enough exercise, and in several of the most technologically advanced countries the statistics are much worse. In CONNECTED, VERSATILE SOLUTIONS the US, the Federal Centers for Disease Open architecture offering greater Control says that more than 80% of choice, modularity, easier Americans don’t get enough exercise. The integration and customization SIMPLE, SEAMLESS AND SECURE figures are somewhat better for the younger, Ecosystem of connectivity networks and services ensuring speed and best active workforce – those most likely to be performance today and in the future travelling significantly for business and AIRLINE EXPERIENCE pleasure. The biggest exercise challenge Solutions built around your fl eet, most of our cultures face is the fact that we routes and passengers to optimize aren’t required to move, either on our way to effi ciencies and brand loyalty and from the workplace, or while we are there. If it is true that “sitting is the new As flights become longer in duration in-flight channels are becoming a platform not just for entertainment but ensuring mental and physical wellbeing. smoking,” then air travel itself, at least the in-flight portion, is part of the problem. level of knowledge about the health DVT and long-haul travel. Hopefully, access disruptions of frequent, long-distance travel to these videos will become standard on all ROUTINE EXERCISE and the symptoms of jet lag and dehydration. international flights," she said. So what is the goal of fitness and wellness In 2015, Qantas became the first airline in Physitrack co-founder Nathan Skwortsow programming and content in IFE? Do we the world to launch an exercise video on all said Qantas was quick to embrace the expect passengers to actually exercise in its international flights to help prevent deep concept. “Shot in high definition from their seats or in the cabin? Is the goal really vein thrombosis (DVT). different angles, each clip shows the correct just to provide educational content that The four-minute-plus exercise video in exercise technique to motivate Qantas’ five passengers can store in the grey matter and high definition was developed by academics million annual international travellers to take home with them? Our informal survey at the University of Melbourne in keep moving during their flight.” In addition suggests it is mainly the latter, although the partnership with global health-tech company to being one of the safest airlines in the former does exist. It’s not hard to find PASSENGER EXPERIENCE Physitrack, which is Sports Medicine world, it is also great to see Qantas in-flight exercise tips. Even the website Premium connected InFlyt Australia’s official exercise technology embracing exercise technology, even at WikiHow has an article on the topic and Entertainment for an immersive and memorable experience partner. Sports Medicine Australia has 38,000 feet, he comments. suggests a specific routine to undertake CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT endorsed the exercise video. Sports Medicine Australia CEO Nello every 60–90 minutes. Trusted partner providing Marino said sitting still for long periods of The best example of actual in-flight exceptional service solutions OVERCOMING DVT time in cramped conditions, such as on an exercise programming is probably the wherever you are The video was developed by Professor Kim aeroplane, can lead to swollen ankles and “FlightFit” programme on Lufthansa Group Bennell at the University of Melbourne occasionally DVT. “Whilst the risk of DVT is airlines Lufthansa, Austrian and Eurowings. Department of Physiotherapy. “These extremely low, it is always important to take The 20-minute programme features yoga in-flight exercises are designed to provide a preventive measures as the threat is always specialist Alexey Gaevskij, who says on his Thales InFlyt Experience – The Smart Choice for the Connected Airline. safe way to stretch and enjoy movement in there,” he said. “Through simple, regular Facebook page, “Connect to your breath, We create connected infl ight entertainment and service solutions to enhance certain muscle groups that can become stiff stretching, mobility exercises, and walking move your body and enjoy your flight!” The passenger engagement and airline operations. In this safety-critical and as a result of long periods of sitting. They around the cabin mid-flight your risk of DVT Lufthansa description of this IFE channel technology rich environment, Thales has a pedigree and global presence may be effective at increasing the body’s is dramatically reduced.” says, “FlightFit by Alexey Gaevskij enhances no other provider can match, across aerospace, avionics, satellite networks, blood circulation and massaging the The second driver for audiences of fitness your seating comfort in only nine easy steps connected skies and cyber security. Every day, everywhere, together with muscles,” Professor Bennell says. and wellness programming is simply the to ease your stay during the flight. Fuel your our customers Thales delivers. “It came as a bit of a surprise international health awareness of our populations. Rising mind and body with fresh energy.” The airlines hadn’t already introduced these rates of morbid obesity and other exercises are, as one might expect, modest in Search: Thalesgroup exercise videos, given what we know about complications of a sedentary society have scope and designed to ensure one doesn’t

IFEC16_English_C38721.014_273x205_Mar17_Inflight_v1.indd 1 14/02/2017 12:40 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

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IFEC16_English_C38721.014_273x205_Mar17_Inflight_v1.indd 1 14/02/2017 12:40 P.32 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

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offering general wellbeing advice, Flying With Confidence to help nervous flyers, and Dawn Chorus: Sounds of Spring, which features the sound of sunrise birdsong. Puddicombe adds, “The content has been designed to enhance every stage of the journey, before, during and after the flight, with specific exercises to help passengers feel relaxed, refreshed and recharged. “It is also an opportunity to learn a beneficial new skill, something you can use at your destination and beyond, for a healthier and happier life.” Load factors and seat pitch aren’t the only

British Airways offers meditation courses through its partnership with Headspace. limitations on flying calisthenics. The rightly ubiquitous advice to keep one’s safety belt bother one’s neighbour. Space constraints are According to Troy Warfield, British fastened at all times is based on the premise the most obvious limitation to on-board Airways’ director of customer experience, that unexpected air turbulence causes most exercising, but the advice demonstrates how “We know our customers really value injuries to passengers and cabin crew. Safety to perform basic stretches and to reinvigorate making the most of their time on our aircraft managers, not to mention flight attendants, breathing. FlightFit is available in English, and the new Headspace channel on our would likely shudder at the prospect of an German, Mandarin and Castilian Spanish. in-flight entertainment system offers them a entire economy class performing Tai Chi Oman Air also has at least one fitness fantastic way to make their flight more movements in the aisles when the aeroplane programme in the current IFE line-up. My fulfilling and relaxed. hits a patch of clear air turbulence. Diet Is Better Than Yours is hosted by Shaun The meditation course can also continue If actual fitness programming in IFE is T, creator of the workout Insanity. The series on the ground, as the Headspace app can be relatively sparse, written advice on how to features celebrity trainers coaching average downloaded direct to a smartphone or tablet stay comfortable and healthy while sitting people to lose weight and get in shape. This through the App Store or via Google Play. for long flights is more common. Many, if programme is in English. The new channel adds to British Airways’ not most, of the long-haul carriers have a existing and extensive wellbeing content on page or two in an in-flight magazine (where Connectivity and RELAXATION GUARANTEED. its High Life IFE system. This includes videos those still exist), or, less helpfully, on the Take off and stay In-Flight-Entertainment In the US, JetBlue has been talking with several wellness brands for possible inclusion Global Eagle’s new jet-lag recovery mobile app will augment its existing seat-back Airhealth GORE® Aerospace High Speed Data Cables keep passenger wellness programme. in the carrier’s IFE Hub portal, but nothing connected passengers connected anytime, anywhere while has been decided yet. traveling. Ensure they get the ultimate in-ﬂ ight Last year, British Airways introduced the Headspace video channel, packed with experience on their laptop, tablet or mobile phone content designed to help travellers unwind in no matter where they sit on a plane. the air, by practicing simple meditation and Passengers can watch movies and videos in ultra mindfulness exercises. The channel consists of nine meditation programmes, each no high deﬁ nition, charge devices quickly and easily, more than ten minutes long. conduct business online faster, and stay connected Guided by Headspace co-founder, and to family and friends in real time. Aerospace Aerospace Aerospace Aerospace Leaky Feeder Microwave/RF former monk, Andy Puddicombe, each ® ® ® ® ™ ®

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Although it doesn’t offer a specific wellness IFE channel, JetBlue has offered a series of innovations around yoga.

company website, typically under the speed entrepreneurs and when they ‘while travelling’ tab. Often fully realise the size of that niche, they accompanied by diagrams and specific will jump on it with gusto. exercise instructions, these tips are most often specifically aimed at FLYING IN COMFORT comfort and reducing the risk of DVT. In fact, BYOF is a natural subset of all The KLM webpage is a typical the BYO trends on board and fits the example of this. It offers general tips largest trend of all. Jovita Toh, the head for in-flight comfort – eat lightly, stay of Encore Inflight Limited, says she hydrated, exercise in your seat. It also hasn’t yet seen a widespread trend in offers specific seat-bound exercises formalised IFE programming for fitness and information about DVT. If you and wellness. “However, I do know that happen to be on a KLM 787 or some of trends on the plane reflect trends on the the 777s with Wi-Fi, you can reach ground and will not be surprised that this page from the airline portal in programmes such as healthy eating flight without having to purchase habits, healthy cooking tips, exercising internet access. Qantas also has an on the go, meditation and general extensive page with information wellness will gain in popularity as that is about the health risks of inactivity and what is happening on the ground.” a detailed ‘Inflight Workout’. To this end, Envee has partnered Many other airlines have similar with internationally renowned yoga website entries. Qatar Airways has entering their flight schedule, travellers life coach and motivational speaker some branded advice on its webpage: “Qatar receive a personalised jet-lag recovery Charlotte Dodson to bring her knowledge to Airways and The Chopra Center for programme with step-by-step instructions passengers, creating an in-flight application Wellbeing offer you customised Ayurvedic for managing their sleep–wake cycles and which can help passengers fly in a healthier techniques that you can use during your melatonin levels. and more comfortable way. Dodson’s guided flight (and at home) to feel more balanced, The actual IFE programming for fitness and wellness programme will provide passengers healthy and relaxed.” wellness may be slim pickings for now, and the with feelings of comfort and ease throughout static online and in-flight magazine advice their journey. PERSONAL TRAINERS may be minimalist, but there is one medium An advocate of healthy lifestyle, Dodson has Apart from actual in-flight fitness that may supersede all of these – we’ll call it created a series of videos that will help ‘entertainment’, there is a smattering of BYOF (Bring Your Own Fitness), since it will business travellers and holiday makers feel offerings on the broader topic of wellness, come via the current and future VOD more comfortable during flights and refreshed including some of the cooking and lifestyle technologies on board. With large numbers of upon arrival. The series FLYWELL includes programmes. Many audio components of the passengers bringing their own devices and relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, IFE offer include ‘relaxation’ channels and looking to stream their own preferred content, guided meditations and gentle yoga sequences some include actual guided meditation. it is logical to assume that this will include to practice before, during and after a flight. Some of the apps available from both their chosen fitness video. Some of that may be These videos have been available on Dodson’s airlines and suppliers have fitness and streamed through corporate media channels official website for download, but now they wellness components and that contribution and airline apps, but it seems more likely that will finally be included in the seat-back screen might be growing. the younger demographics will turn to one of of many airlines. Global Eagle recently announced that its their favourite VOD sources – YouTube. After all this, the best bet might be to new jet-lag recovery mobile app will Fitness and wellness topics are high simply tune the audio programme to Delta’s augment its existing seat-back Airhealth performers on YouTube these days, with Outlook Club Delta (Dance). Here’s the passenger wellness programme. constantly improving production values – description: “From house to techno, Encompassing flying-related health tips, often the biggest criticism of YouTube progressive to breaks, experience the in-flight exercises, and a quiz, Airhealth channels – and subscriber lists often dancefloor on Club Delta featuring: Hiatus now features an optional mobile app to reaching into seven figures. In-flight-specific Koyote, Letherette, Energy 52 and more.” So, help passengers manage jet lag before and exercise routines are still somewhat hard to check for turbulence, unfasten your seat belt, after the flight. Global Eagle says that by find, but that won’t last long. These are high- and just dance. n Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.36 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com

The future should herald more and more connected aircraft offering greater entertainment connectivity.

Going wireless

The world is going wireless and so will A tethered Henry Canaday explores the future of wireless passengers in aircraft cabins. That is the big in-flight entertainment. picture, certain to emerge steadily over the years. But cabin wireless poses challenges wireless links to the ground, often simply WOW FACTOR not seen on the ground and so requires called ‘connectivity’. Both dimensions are Despite the difficulties, wireless providers constant improvement in all the ultimately important. are bullish on the future and working hard technologies necessary for getting data over Commercial factors count as well. to make it happen. For example, Bluebox each link, from ground sources to passenger Producers need control over their content, Avionics has deployed almost 19,000 iPad- devices and eyeballs. passengers want easy access, and business based portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) For cabin wireless really has two models must pay for both content and systems with airlines and now offers dimensions: wireless within the cabin, to equipment, either by charging or otherwise enhanced accessibility in the new Bluebox link passengers with on-board content, and recouping costs. Hybrid. Portable wireless streaming, Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.37 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Bluebox Wow helps airlines introduce wirelessly streamed content to passengers in any aircraft cabin. The system won best ‘Handheld and/or wireless IFE system’ at the prestigious Inflight Awards ceremony in Dubai.

Bluebox Wow, has begun service with Pakistan International Airlines. Chief executive officer Kevin Clark says Bluebox continues to innovate, deploying 12.9-inch iPad Pros in first class of Hawaiian Airlines’ A330s. “Lie-flat seats get the best tablet devices on an innovative mounting.” And Hawaiian can upgrade easily to better devices in the future. Clark argues Bluebox Wow is highly advanced, with a single removable battery powering it for over 15 hours, and dual frequency supporting up to 50 passengers simultaneously. Unconnected to aircraft, Wow does not require certification, yet USB-C 24-pin, reversible plug, IFPL has been The company is preparing for future delivers moving maps. working on USB-C for IFEC and the trends in in-flight Wi-Fi, induction and Bluebox Hybrid connects to all approved transition from USB-A, explains marketing charging, near field communications, wireless IFE solutions, not just Bluebox. So executive Jason Davies. Along with a base Bluetooth mesh, and sonic and light Hybrid users access early-release movies on USB-C outlet, IFPL is developing a range of transmission. IFPL can already deliver the device while accessing later releases on USB-C 3.1 peripherals and solutions. These inductive charging, but airlines are wary of their own devices from a streaming server. include a rapid-fit version that allows for adopting it because Apple devices do not use Clark says Hybrid is attractive to airlines low-cost and easy replacements and a simple it and Apple may choose another approach. offering a premium cabin and renting Hybrids retro-fit USB-C outlet that replaces USB-A IFPL is trying to figure out whether Apple’s to other passengers for ancillary revenue. outlets. And IFPL is working on a USB-A eventual approach will require a per-seat, Clark predicts wireless cabin IFE will and -C combination that allows older USB-A per-seat group or per-cabin solution. accelerate dramatically. Traditionally a long- devices to transfer data to newer devices Another future possibility is mixed reality, haul amenity, wireless and portable systems with USB-C connectors. such as Microsoft’s Hololens, which will enable IFE on short routes. “Curated, Davies stresses IFPL’s new USB-C outlets combines virtual and augmented realities. short-duration content will become important, handle both analogue and digital audio. So IFPL is considering how content will be as well as destination-related information.” they support both low-cost analogue USB-C available and how devices will be charged He argues that cabin wireless is a headsets and expensive digital audio headsets. and powered. manageable step toward IFE connectivity “This in turn allows 3D and other next- Davies sees the hurdles to cabin wireless with the ground. Connectivity requires a generation digital audio experiences.” And as predicting which technologies consumers cabin network, but IFE does not require IFPL has extended its range of 110 V AC outlets will choose, passing regulatory muster and connectivity. Airlines can move forward on that include both USB-A and -C capabilities. ensuring safety. “Developing NFC for cabin IFE now, then add connectivity later. IFPL has demonstrated high power and contactless payment and personalisation Clark expects digital rights management data on USB-A 2.0 and USB-A 3.0, ideal for took a huge amount of effort, knowledge (DRM) tools to become standard on portable delivering 2 A; 5 V direct current and data at and testing to overcome technological and devices and ease secure distribution of up to five gigabits per second. Passengers can regulatory challenges.” content. Encoding technologies will allow thus both charge personal devices and higher throughputs and support more connect with in-flight entertainment. SEATS OF POWER passengers wirelessly. Connectivity capacity The company has enhanced its 110 V AC Another cabin component closely related to will increase and costs decline, increasing Universal Remote Power Outlet, adding a wireless IFEC is seating. Kelvin Boyette is in-flight services. high-power USB-A socket. It is working with CEO of Latitude Aero, one of the few players industry partners to develop new power in the industry that specialises only in USB’S USP solutions for ergonomic and aesthetic seat seating. He predicts that both embedded and IFPL has been working on the plugs, sockets integration. This approach will fully exploit bring-your-own-device IFE will endure. “I and other gadgets to enable cabin wireless seat space by seamlessly integrating USB think there are plenty of aircraft out there more economically, more simply and more outlets on seat arms and preserving for both options to grow rapidly over the reliably. As new consumer devices adopt the passenger legroom. next five years. Personal devices will be P.38 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com Binge-watch. Nonstop.

allowed early content in the next Ka- and Ku-band transmission few years, and that will require from low-, medium- and high- more in-seat power.” Latitude is altitude satellites. well positioned for the growing The Rockwell executive predicts need for in-seat power. bandwidth will increase Some carriers, like American, dramatically in the next three to offer free wireless entertainment to five years as more and higher- personal devices, but most seats do throughput satellites are not have power. This creates a launched, antenna technology dilemma for passengers who watch advances and on-board networks a movie, then land with a dead also improve in delivering signals. battery. Boyette sees bandwidth as Nevertheless, “satellite systems an obstacle to increased on-board will never be like ground-based entertainment. A 737 with 154 systems to offices.” Airlines will passengers may have 200 connected still have to figure out what they devices, and current technology can give free and what they will cannot support high-definition charge for based on route, cabin content to so many devices. class, demographics and their own The Latitude CEO expects that business model. faster, smaller wireless access And Nordstrom predicts both points will allow more access in-seat and passenger-device With speeds up to ten times faster than points in aircraft and increase speeds. conventional in-flight Wi-Fi, Qantas will offer entertainment will continue to be important. “Also, someone will create a way to prevent customers video and audio streaming. “Wireless is getting better, and eventually downloading or pirating of early content, movies will be released earlier to wireless making studios happy and allowing them in seat-back systems so these can be repaired systems, but there is nothing like seeing a to release more content at a quicker pace or replaced quickly. Prompt reports can big screen in front of you without pulling out to airlines.” avoid losing revenue by deferring seats due a large-screen laptop.” Principal business development manager to malfunctioning IFE, or losing business by Richard Nordstrom explains that Rockwell ticking off passengers with broken IFE. SMART CONNECTIONS Watch blockbuster movies and popular TV shows with Satcom Direct® and Lufthansa Collins offers a wide portfolio of hardware, Rockwell’s own PAVES in-seat video can be BoardConnect is Lufthansa Systems’ software, connectivity and services to replaced in about a minute. platform for supporting wireless functions Technik’s nicemedia premium content service. Stream different movies and shows to support all kinds of cabin entertainment and “We provide connectivity nose to tail,” for cabin crew and passenger connectivity, multiple personal electronic devices (PEDs), at the same time, while in flight. Watch aircraft operations. Rockwell’s PAVES is Nordstrom stresses. And even if passengers advertising, chatting, games, movies, seat-centric IFE with all memory and do not care about non-entertainment moving maps, music, shopping, payments as much as you want and as many times as you want. Connectivity is not required. processing within seats and connected to a connections, they benefit from these and surveys. mesh network in the cabin so there is only connections and there are efficiencies in Jan-Peter Gaense, director of project one point of failure, not many. combining cabin and crew communications. and certification, is proud of the test launch Different shows. Multiple devices. At the same time. Recently, Rockwell introduced its System of the newest BoardConnect on Lufthansa SEAT-BACK SET BACK Interface Unit (SIU), a highly flexible cabin and Austrian Airlines before full roll-out in For more information on SD Entertainment, contact Sales at Rockwell also supports TV and broadcast server that supports seat-centric IFE, the first quarter of 2017. Gaense says +1 321.777.3000 or [email protected] systems in the cabin, and wireless IFE, either broadcast, wireless IFE and other connections. the platform has always been reliable, free or paid for, on passenger devices. For Compact and multifunctional, the SIU is now innovative and full of features, but is connectivity, Rockwell works with Iridium line-fit on Boeing 737s and 787s, retrofit on now “a truly digital platform”. Aircraft and Inmarsat, whose Global Xpress should several aircraft and line-fit through a partner can become flying data centres as Monthly automated be on 400 aircraft by the end of 2017. The on Airbus models. The device is highly BoardConnect enables application hosting content updates firm also sells SwiftBroadband and will sell modular and designed to accept new with powerful application programming on Smartbox. No the Safety version too. technologies over a 25-year lifecycle. interfaces (APIs). Connections to the additional hardware So Rockwell supports cabin and flight- Rockwell is moving towards certification ground are provided by Global Xpress. 5” x 7” x 3” installation necessary. deck connections, as well as wireless of an electronic steerable antenna that will “Airlines will make use of smart systems connectivity for cabin crew to report defects handle 350 to 450 megabits per second of such as ours to include in-flight in the digital satcomdirect.com Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com Binge-watch. Nonstop.

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Lufthansa’s BoardConnect is designed to accommodate passengers’ needs without the need for wires or certifcation.

Qantas, SAS and American Airlines, which will replace Gogo with ViaSat on most domestic flights. American also announced it would not install seat-back IFE on its 737MAXs. Don Buchman, vice-president and general manager of Commercial Mobility, says the American decision represents a vote of confidence in ViaSat’s ability to bring all the streaming entertainment needed to the personal devices that are carried by 90% of passengers. Next up is the launch in April 2017 of ViaSat 2 and then three more ViaSat 3 Photo: Lufthansa Systems. extreme-throughput satellites in 2019 to 2021 that will make the provider’s service travel experience they create for customers,” management that eliminates the need for an global. Some airlines have not wanted to Gaense predicts. He expects the next five app when watching premium content and is wait for connectivity so ample they can offer years to see more and more connected now available on most new web browsers. it for free, so have gone with other providers aircraft with great entertainment, Easterling stresses the advantages of accessing initially, Buchman acknowledges. But he is connectivity and other services. the latest content from global studios without confident they can switch to the better Lufthansa originally developed downloading a separate DRM app. And Thales service when it becomes available in their BoardConnect to make it easy for airlines to enables airlines to customise user experience markets. And he says the launches are on provide in-flight entertainment. Wireless IFE for their brands without Thales’s involvement. track, with ViaSat 3 having just passed its made that a lot easier, but transmitting Easterling says airlines now seek less preliminary design review milestone. personal devices, certification, installation friction in accessing wireless content, Buchman predicts carriers will start and content costs remained challenges. streamlined log-ins and wireless equipment exploiting bigger bandwidth for many more “That is why we introduced BoardConnect that is intuitive to navigate and use. Carriers crew, operational and safety uses, functions Portable,” Gaense says. He argues the also want flexibility and control: “the ability that were once too expensive to implement. portable version is the first streaming to put their brand in front of customers fast “When they see how cheaply the new pipes solution that provides great entertainment with less involvement from suppliers”. can move data, the new apps will snowball to passengers without installation or The Thales executive says wireless in the next five years to a whole new level.” certification. “Real IFE systems must stream penetration is being hindered by global On the passenger side, he expects free movies, TV shows and other great content, variation in regulations and compatibility of on-board connectivity to mimic trends in not just digital magazines.” different personal devices. “It is difficult to ground connections, with firms like Hulu Gaense expects connectivity will ensure new devices in emerging markets like and Amazon producing and distributing increasingly support passengers, cabin and the Far East are compatible with platforms their own films, social media exploding and flight crews. Open systems and powerful like iOS, Android, Mac and Windows.” other uses as yet unknown expanding. hardware will enable a ground-like service But Easterling sees hope in new The only obstacles to all this happening that was “unthinkable only a few years ago”. infrastructure and new standards like are getting those bigger pipes in place and Digital solutions along the entire travel chain 802.11 AX high-efficiency wireless perhaps the scepticism of some airlines and will serve individual passengers as needed streaming. The new standard will allow passengers that have had bad internet on a wireless IFE platform. And Lufthansa more users to reliably stream data in the experiences. “We can correct that bad will be ready for all this with modern user midst of many other users, “perfect for impression,” Buchman insists. interfaces, open platforms, APIs and commercial aircraft”. Other connectivity providers are of course integration with partners and systems. not standing still. One way or another, those Thales’s newest wireless IFE customers DOWNLINKS bigger pipes will connect aircraft wirelessly include Royal Brunei Airlines and Royal Air And much more capacity will soon be coming to the ground. Then all the in-cabin wireless Maroc, notes Scott Easterling, director of from the ground to aircraft. ViaSat signed four providers will face the pleasant challenges of business development for connectivity. Thales airlines for its high-bandwidth passenger how to exploit all this connectivity for their IFE includes hassle-free digital rights connections in 2016, including Finnair, on-board customers. n Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com Skycast Solutions Fuels the Tablet Revolution with the Latest in Portable IFE. The most capable low cost portable IFE device is powered by Windows and flying high on Alaska Airlines.

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flydubai’s Daniel Kerrison gave this year’s Inflight Workshop welcome address.

Up for discussion booth visitors to the company’s User Alexander Preston recaps a successful Inflight Middle East Experience Center of Excellence (UX CoE), Pavilion, Workshop and Awards. which specialises in user-centred design to improve the usability, accessibility and This year marked our fifth collaboration strengthen our offerings. We have been able enjoyment of interacting with Thales’s with Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME), to expand our customer base, including our in-flight entertainment products. The UX and the 2017 edition of the Inflight Pavilion, most recent contract with Emirates for its CoE will partner with airline customers to Workshop and Awards was without a doubt future fleet of Boeing 777X aircraft.” help them differentiate their brand and to our most well-attended and well-received The company has recently opened an create a customised, seamless in-flight collaboration to date. office in Dubai to support the region. experience for their passengers. As Thales told Inflight ahead of the event, As a full-service premium connectivity Elsewhere, visitors had the opportunity to “As the Middle East’s only aircraft interiors provider, Thales highlighted its wide range of see the latest innovations and solutions from event, the Inflight Pavilion at AIME 2017 technical solutions within the Pavilion area. other Pavilion exhibitors – Astronics, provides Thales the opportunity to connect The cloud infrastructure of its InFlytCloud digEcor, Gogo, KID-Systeme, Pascall, with over 90 global airlines and showcase service is designed for mobile access, allowing Rockwell Collins, SITAONAIR and Zodiac its latest innovations in passenger and airlines to make smarter, data-driven Inflight Innovations. airline engagement. decisions in real time. Representatives were The two-day Inflight Workshop saw “The Middle East is a key region for Thales on hand to show how with a single log-in, another diverse programme of topical issues, InFlyt Experience in terms of customers, InFlytCloud offers airlines access to all in which airline strategists and leading IFEC operations and business volume. Thales business operations services ranging from professionals discussed technical solutions, InFlyt Experience has established an InFlytAnalytics, InFlytBehavior, InFlytHealth, such as seamless global coverage, that important presence in the Middle East by InFlytOperation, InFlytRevenue, content support the needs of both passengers and continuing to develop strong partnerships management, applications development airlines. The tone was set by a keynote with airline customers in this region. We are and validation. presentation from Daniel Kerrison, vice- investing in technological innovation, big There was something of a buzz around the president, in-flight product, at flydubai data management and cybersecurity to Thales InFlyt Experience, which introduced (winner of Airline of the year 2016). Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.43 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Interactive content was one of the topics eagerly discussed during the two-day programme.

Highlighting the carrier’s “insatiable appetite for innovation” and a continued investment in research and development, Kerrison touched upon the difficult pricing and operating environment faced by the operator and its regional counterparts. In 2012, the third year of its operation, the airline carried 5.1 million passengers. In 2016, this increased to 10.4 million annual adding that you need sufficient time to charge economy class, due to the distance between passengers. Driven by such increased a phone on a flight. the passenger’s face and the screen. digEcor’s passenger numbers, flydubai reported an Piquing most interest was the discussion David Withers agreed that small seat-back operating profit of US$8.6 million for the surrounding USB Type-C connections and its screens give a poor viewing experience. The year, and total revenue of $1.37 billion. potential to signal the end for AC power. For technical capabilities of 4K have been around Brace, Type-C is an option but not a and understood for a number of years, he PASSENGER INVESTMENT replacement for AC power. Other panellists said, pointing to the product portfolio of These are impressive financials when you agreed. For Dennis Markert, director of digEcor, which has scalability and flexibility consider that, according to the International business development and technical services built in to allow for changes in screen Air Transport Association (IATA), due to the at Astronics, Type-C is coming, driven by the technology. Instead, he argued, the emulous nature of the region, Middle consumer market. Astronics, Markert said, discussion needs to also cover the real versus Eastern carriers were forecast to make an will have a product that will be made the perceived benefits of 4K so there are some average profit per passenger of $1.56. This available shortly. DigEcor’s Paul Thorpe realistic expectations being set. You can say contrasts to a per passenger profit of $5.65 pointed to the fact that laptops are USB-C the display is 4K, but the content may not be. for European airlines, and $19.58 for North orientated, whereas mobile phones are “You’ve got to remember most on-board American carriers. As Kerrison wryly noted, generally not. The company has entered the content today is still standard definition (SD), despite these tight margins, Middle Eastern sector with a 5 V USB source and a 110 V so 4K is a long journey from where we are airlines comprise four of the top seven places supply through Glide, its embedded seat- today,” Withers said. in Skytrax’s World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2016. centric IFE solution. In contrast, the top-placed North American The push of trends and technologies from SCALABLE SOLUTIONS airline is ranked 35th. the consumer market into the commercial The emphasis should be on improving the How airlines continue to invest in the aviation sphere also flowed into the second sound quality, Withers proffered, an opinion passenger experience when faced with session, 4K and beyond, which looked at shared by Valour’s Foster, who highlighted today’s economic realities was a constant next-generation screen technology. the work of Dysonics, which has partnered theme throughout the two-day agenda, The next generation of video displays will with Spafax to provide an immersive which began in earnest with a discussion be 4K acceded by HDR (High Dynamic 360-degree sound experience to in-flight around in-seat power. Range). In short, 4K displays have four times entertainment with Virgin America and Delta. Moderated by Valour Consultancy’s Craig the number of pixels offered by an HD Satellite is set to play a huge role in 4K Foster, The balance of power questioned display. This higher pixel density results in a provision, providing the sufficient whether currently deployed systems provide sharper and clearer picture. 4K screens also bandwidth necessary for HD video and enough ‘juice’ for passengers to charge and have improved colour depth and higher advances in compression technology. Of the run increasingly power-hungry personal contrast ratios, providing a more dynamic verticals SES is focusing its efforts on, 4K electronic devices (PEDs). and realistic viewing experience. offers great potential, as Gez Draycott, vice- With the growing prevalence of PEDs, Peter 4K TVs have been available to consumers president, portfolio management, data Schetschine, general manager of KID- since 2013, and many in the consumer mobility, explained. In September 2015, SES Systeme, cautioned that passengers often electronics industry expect to see a large launched Fashion One 4K, the first global don’t board with a fully charged device, increase in demand going forward. With the Ultra HD channel, and today the company observing that it’s ingrained behaviour to business aviation community responding to broadcasts over 20 Ultra HD channels – expect to be able to charge up at airports or this demand, what experience can we expect more than any other satellite operator. on board. Pascall’s Phil Brace agreed, stating from commercial airlines? The problem of unruly passengers is that passengers need to be more organised. Some experts argue that 4K technology constantly increasing within the airline In-seat power offers convenience, he said, isn’t a pure fit for in-seat IFE, particularly in industry. Although they represent only a THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY’S LARGEST FALL EVENT FOR PASSENGER EXPERIENCE Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach is the only fall event dedicated to the cabin interiors industry. Showcasing a wide range of cabin interior products such as seating, galleys, lighting, lavatories, cabin management systems and passenger services. Making it the perfect opportunity to conduct business and network with key industry decision makers from around the world. Register your interest today www.aircraftinteriorsexpo-us.com SAVE THE DATE SEPTEMBER 26 -28 2017

Co-located with: Organised by: Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.45 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

The panels were well attended, with audiences keen to take home expert insights.

THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY’S LARGEST FALL minute proportion of passengers as a whole, one aggressive passenger can jeopardise EVENT FOR PASSENGER EXPERIENCE safety on board. A well-behaved panel of Peter Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach is the only fall event dedicated to the cabin interiors industry. Showcasing Schetschine, Securaplane’s Manuel Herrero, and Latecoere’s Xavier Carrier provided a wide range of cabin interior products such as seating, galleys, lighting, lavatories, cabin management insight into a rarely debated topic: cabin systems and passenger services. Making it the perfect opportunity to conduct business and network with key security and surveillance in Eye in the sky. industry decision makers from around the world. As Carrier explained, the Latvision brand has been adopted by more than 50 airlines the day’s earlier discussion of 4K, took pains company is on technology, with hybrid not Register your interest today internationally, while KID-Systeme’s to point out that airlines need to give an the core element, but rather a consideration. Universal Video Surveillance System is in incentive in the form of appropriate Draycott picked up on the confusion www.aircraftinteriorsexpo-us.com use on the Airbus A350 XWB family. purchasing content (for example, high-end surrounding Ku- and Ka-band systems. SES’s The panel agreed it was important to help duty free, destination-related content and role is to help overcome this confusion, by airlines define their security needs and seat upgrades). offering the appropriate solution options for requirements in the face of differing levels of Joe Leader, CEO of APEX, attracted a an airline’s requirement. regulatory interference, before the discussion large audience for his welcome address Murri said the question was less one of SAVE THE DATE moved on to the complexities of line-fit on day two. Leader spoke of the hyper- ‘what is the best technology’, but rather one operations and the growing retro-fit market. connected airline and the evolving of cost per performance/throughput. “There SEPTEMBER marketplace of the passenger experience. does not exist today a scenario where the PASSENGER SATISFACTION The next two decades, Leader said, would bandwidth is not available to support what 2017 Improvements in optical and electronic signal the entry into a business-class an airline wants to do. It may be expensive, 26 -28 technology have enabled all three privacy era. Other identified trends but it is there. Multiple solutions exist – it manufacturers to offer camera security included aircraft mood lighting becoming comes down to what is the best model for systems that work in both low-light and more advanced, more prevalent Wi-Fi and the airline and what it wants to do.” bright conditions, which is vital when used a passenger expectation of connected With an update on Intelsat’s EPIC as evidence of theft or incidents of intelligence, whereby they can interact constellation, Amiri added the voice of the passenger misbehaviour. with the aircraft via their own technology. passenger. “At the end of the day, the The first day concluded with an intimate passenger doesn’t care what band is used, talk about contactless payments and the BANDS OF CONFUSION they just want consistency, without changing on-board payment ecosystem. The satcoms session, A hybrid connection, interruption.” Ahead of Intelsat’s recently Touch and go saw IFPL’s David Thomas and on the viability of hybrid antenna technology proposed merger with OneWeb, Amiri argued Cellpoint Mobile’s Noel Connolly discuss the proved particularly popular, with not a spare that with a global connectivity service, there growing mobile marketplace. As passengers seat in sight. is no need for a hybrid solution. become more accustomed to using Shahrokh Amiri, managing director, Flydubai’s Daniel Kerrison provided an smartphones to pay for things from taxi rides MENA at Intelsat, joined fellow panellists airliner’s insight. “This topic is one that is so to in-app retail purchases, they are also Ben Griffin, regional director, aviation at confusing,” Kerrison admitted, “that it is demanding access to the most popular Inmarsat; Doug Murri, Global Eagle’s VP very easy to get lost in these technologies. digital wallet solutions and alternative operations; Gez Draycott from SES; and Listening to this discussion, we continually payment methods. Mihir Thakkar, regional director, Global hear about all these competing technologies. The two shared observations around the Airline Business Group at Gogo. In my opinion, you need to back a phenomenon of bring your own device Providing an update on the recently technology and go with it.” (BYOD), including the opportunities present introduced GX service, Griffin said decisions “There is no right or wrong solution – it’s in a mobile-first travel environment, before, around a hybrid approach were dependent whatever suits the airline’s requirements.” during and after the trip, and what such a upon geography, type of aircraft, length of Flydubai selected Ku as it offered the mobile-first travel experience looks like – flight, and demographics. On the question of bandwidth and services, including live TV, starting with booking, all the way through to the nature of traffic routed through the the airline wanted to deliver to its passengers. post-destination feedback. S-band, the vast majority is expected to be From one interactive session to another, Co-located with: Organised by: Thomas and Connolly agreed that both for cabin Wi-Fi applications. Interacting up was an opportunity to discuss the technology and passenger appetite exist Gogo wants to give airlines options, the nature and benefits of personalised for alternative payments but, in an echo of according to Thakkar. The focus for the content. Joe Leader joined the panel, and P.46 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Mark Howells, HMG Aerospace (left), presents the ‘Airline of the year’ award to happy representatives of Emirates.

discuss an issue that regularly irritates cabin crew and other passengers alike. Should airlines adopt child-free zones? For Rahman, children should not be treated like a smoke-free zone. In the presence of a crying child, your experience ultimately depends upon what side of the ‘pain’ you are on, he said – as a parent, or a bystander. This is where good IFE and other services help. Kids range from 3–12, said Devereux, explaining that Global One Media approaches this difference in age range by working with the airline to provide age- painted a picture of an immersive Duncan Abell, Global Eagle pointed to the appropriate content on its IFE service. “It’s environment. Technology is available to obvious facet of interactive content – hyper- about having a range of content available,” track passenger behaviour, such as health personalisation. Data is generated that he said, adding that the company follows the and wellbeing – the challenge for airlines is allows airlines, content providers and latest trends in programmes and genres. how to make the best use of this data. advertisers new channels of engagement. Both El Assaad and Murta spoke of how Interactive destination content is a Interaction is not confined to the flight itself, their respective in-air service towards growing area, as PXCOM’s Cyril Jean but at all touchpoints of the journey. childcare mirrors on-ground hospitality. explained. Airlines have to embrace our Babar Rahman, Qatar Airways agreed – Both Gulf Air (Sky Nanny) and Etihad dependence on PEDs, especially mobile content has to be relevant. Monetising that (Flying Nanny) provide a palette of cabin phones, and integrate them into their IFE content is important but not a priority. If you services to help families placate and look services. It was a point SITAONAIR’s Neale don’t have content that is used and wanted, after their children in flight. Both services Faulkner picked up on, saying that airlines you can’t monetise it. have proved highly successful. traditionally see IFC as a simple process of For Leader, interactive content is not a Providing a quality and memorable getting the passenger connected to the gimmick, but one of the very few ways an in-flight experience for all passengers is key, portal, allowing them to select from a airline can start to recover the costs and even the airline representatives said, regardless of number of chargeable plans and then turn a profit with connectivity. the age or size of that passenger. connecting to the internet. With airlines focused on attempting to Airlines are not seeing a significant FAMILY FRIENDLY provide an at-home experience in the sky in return on investment by purely using Moderated by Becky Howells, a parent’s terms of Wi-Fi and connectivity, perhaps this simplified pricing. You have to introduce view guided the final session, Are we there is one area where the at-home experience new ways of engaging with the passenger yet?, which focused on child passengers and remains grounded. throughout the connectivity journey, families. A returning Joe Leader was joined Thanks to all our moderators and making it interactive to both personalise by Mohamad El Assaad of Gulf Air, Qatar’s panellists for delivering such engaging and the experience and monetise it. Rahman, Etihad’s Meaghan Murta and thought-provoking discussions. David Dicko of Skylights believes an Global One Media’s Martin Devereux, to See you all next year! n immersive experience, as offered by VR headsets, opens up more possibilities to enable passengers to escape from where they are into Inflight Middle East award winners 2017 other worlds or a cinema. The company has • Inflight airline of the year: Emirates worked hard to improve the long-term viewing • Innovation in commercial airline cabins: Etihad Airways experience of its headsets to overcome feelings • Handheld and/or wireless IFE system: Bluebox Aviation Systems of nausea in prolonged use (4 hours in • Content Innovation: Qatar Airways average). There are a lot of things you can • Airline IFEC provider: Saudia in conjunction with KID-Systeme imagine, said Dicko, but finding the right kind • Connectivity provider: Panasonic Avionics Corporation of content from the passenger’s point of view, • Seat-centric IFE system: Zodiac Inflight Innovations in which they can be immersed and feel • Interior retrofit project of the year: flydubai comfortable, is important. Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.47 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Near field communication technology has the potential to allow passengers to better track their luggage. Near and far Offering great promise, near field communication (NFC) Transport Association (IATA), published the technology has stumbled in its attempts for wider adoption by NFC Reference Guide for Air Travel. aviation companies, as Alexander Preston finds. The two organisations – specifically the NFC Forum’s Air Transport Task Force and IATA’s Fast Travel Working Group – Near field communication technology active device – to create a radio frequency collaborated extensively to develop content has long been touted as a step change for the current that communicates with another for the document, which seeks to help the aviation industry. Indeed, it has been NFC-compatible device or a small NFC tag global air travel industry better understand identified by the Payment Technologies holding the information the reader wants. and evaluate the potential benefits and Working Group of APEX as the way forward. Passive devices, such as the NFC tag in smart costs, use cases, and implementation options NFC is a form of contactless communication posters, store information and communicate associated with adoption of NFC technology. between devices like smartphones or tablets. with the reader but do not actively read “IATA’s Simplifying the Business Contactless communication allows a user to other devices. Peer-to-peer communication programme aims to set standards and drive wave the smartphone over an NFC-compatible through two active devices is also a innovation projects that enable a seamless device to send information without needing to possibility with NFC. This allows both passenger journey. NFC holds substantial touch the devices together or go through devices to send and receive information. promise to provide a smoother and faster multiple steps to set up a connection. Back in 2013, the NFC Forum, a non-profit airport experience for travellers. The NFC The technology behind NFC allows a industry association that advances the use of Reference Guide for Air Travel will be a device – known as a reader, interrogator, or NFC technology, and the International Air valuable guide to help stakeholders identify P.48 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Japan Airlines began offering NFC airline tickets and boarding passes from the summer of 2012.

Avionics commented, “This significant milestone clearly demonstrates our continued leadership in developing technologies that create a seamless passenger travel experience. For airlines, EMV [Europay, Mastercard and Visa] payments on IFE platforms should help eliminate potential transaction liabilities that they face today. In addition, passengers will be able to synchronise their own trusted token to the IFE system and create unique ‘just for me’ experiences without compromising any of the personal data stored on their own device.”

ANCILLARY BENEFITS During APEX 2016 in Singapore, IFPL demonstrated its new NFC ‘Pin-on-Screen’ solution that enables high-value offline transactions by removing the current low- potential opportunities from adoption of NFC To date, there has been little traction on value payment barrier. According to the technology,” said Stephan Copart, IATA head board aircraft for NFC technology. Fresh on company, “This step change will allow of strategy, industry services transformation, the heels of a 2016 study from Juniper airlines to expand and sell high-value items at the time of the announcement. Research, which found that the annual thus increasing ancillary revenue.” Elsewhere, Accenture Technology Labs is transaction value of online, mobile and Its work with Mirus Aircraft seating has also working to take advantage of the contactless payments would reach US$3.6 led to the joint development of a smart seat potential of mobile phones in the airline trillion in 2016, there were two high-profile and the introduction of new technology into industry. Like IATA, Accenture believes NFC product announcements. Both Panasonic their economy seat. This includes integrating can bring benefits across the pre-flight and IFPL hope to capitalise on the growth in an embedded screen with NFC payment and journey stage. NFC-enabled devices. IFPL’s latest magnetic audio jack. This includes booking, where an However, it’s been gate-side where NFC electronic ticket can be downloaded securely BEYOND PAYMENTS has seen widespread adoption. to the phone via an NFC reader or over the In April, Panasonic announced it had made In 2013, Gemalto announced it was air, and stored on the phone. Here, NFC its NFC reader available for in-seat providing its Allynis Trusted Service readers within the airport can be used for production at multiple OEMs. Management (TSM) solution to KDDI, one immediate local check-in, triggering issue of Panasonic expects its NFC technology to of the leading mobile network operators in the boarding pass and delivery to the phone also be used by airlines for a wide range of Japan, for the deployment of the world’s first over the air. non-payment applications, including more commercial NFC airline boarding service for Travellers can also perform a more classic secure synchronisation of personal data; Japan Airlines (JAL). mobile check-in and receive their boarding the recognition of a passenger’s Frequent The project aimed to boost usage of pass over the air. When boarding, unmanned Flyer status, giving access to benefits or mobile boarding by providing increased boarding gates equipped with readers can promotions, such as free Wi-Fi for Gold speed and convenience to end users while automatically admit passengers with valid members; crew check-in and check-out; reducing operational costs. Gemalto’s TSM boarding passes on their phones. In future, and the pairing of NFC-enabled devices allows KDDI to securely download the JAL this step could be enriched with biometrics with the embedded IFEC system, allowing application into the SIM, enabling and applied to access elite lounges. airlines to push information to passengers passengers to just tap their mobile phone Another potential benefit could be found during their flight. when required to present their boarding in NFC tags coded and embedded in luggage Speaking at the time of the pass. The NFC solution that KDDI has tags to quickly access baggage information announcement, Paul Margis, then president implemented can easily expand using and better track bags’ progress. and chief executive officer for Panasonic Gemalto’s TSM to include additional NFC Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.49 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

services and applications such as contactless global TSM standards, touch-and-go Through the technology, passengers could payments, loyalty programmes, transportation ticketing can soon be introduced for automatically receive their NFC boarding and couponing. international flights as well for KDDI pass on their smartphones using their usual “Gemalto’s TSM solution was a critical subscribers who are abroad with roaming check-in method. By tapping their mobile on component in developing JAL’s NFC schemes. Airlines can offer a compelling dedicated readers in the airport, they were boarding service,” said Kenichi Bandou, value-add to their passengers, increasing then able to quickly and easily pass through senior manager, KDDI. “The level of security loyalty and reducing operational costs.” points such as priority lanes for security it provides ensures continued trust between In 2014, Air France, Orange, SITA, control, lounge access and boarding. JAL and our customers. Our touch-and-go Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and RESA The boarding pass can be read mobile ticketing application allows collaborated to provide the first seamless automatically, even if the phone is locked, or passengers to complete their check-in boarding experience in Europe with NFC the battery dead. By leveraging the technical conveniently and with minimum hassle.” technology. Over a period of six months, the specification developed by SITA, the RESA “This service demonstrates the potential Touch&Pass app allowed a panel of reader can retrieve the correct boarding of NFC beyond mobile payments and the passengers travelling on Air France flights pass, even if there are multiple boarding value that NFC ticketing applications can from Toulouse-Blagnac to Paris-Orly to use passes present on the phone. provide by enhancing passengers’ flying their Orange NFC-based smartphones to Jean-Christophe Gaudeau, ground experience,” said Martin Foo, vice-president quickly and conveniently move through the product innovation manager at Air France of mobile financial services solutions at airport, from the airport entrance until they KLM, commented: “Air France’s Gemalto Asia. “With NFC services leveraging boarded their plane. participation in the testing of NFC P.50 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Bologna Airport has deployed Connecthings’ integrated solution for Bluetooth beacons and NFC tags, to provide a dynamic, hyper-contextualised mobile service to the 19,000 travellers flowing daily through the airport.

with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) and will soon be available in all airports supporting the e-boarding facility. Customers who have booked their tickets using the mobile app will simply need to open the app and touch the mobile device on the NFC Check-in Poster available at the airport to retrieve their mobile boarding pass on their smartphones.

SIMPLIFIED CHECK-IN Customers can also use a touchless beacon- based check-in to receive their boarding pass on the smartphone. Customers who have booked their tickets through the SpiceJet mobile app will receive an alert as they walk towards the SpiceJet Check-in area, provided their Bluetooth and SpiceJet Mobile App are activated. Following acknowledgement of the notification, the customer will immediately receive the technology at boarding illustrates its desire service, ONE TOUCH BLQ, based on Beacon, boarding pass on their smartphone. to be a pioneer in the field of innovation for NFC and QR code technologies. Ajay Singh, CMD at SpiceJet said, the benefit of our passengers.” ONE TOUCH BLQ was developed with “Customer convenience is of utmost Thierry Millet, vice-president of mobile the technical support of French company, importance to us and we have always strived payments and contactless programme at Connecthings, and delivers information like to enhance customer experience with the Orange, added, “NFC technology allows Air wayfinding at the entrance with the Airport’s integration of the latest technology. [With France passengers to test this new way to maps, useful hints for security controls in the the] Indian market being fixated on price embark. It’s simpler and faster. The new security control area, a shopping guide, and and schedule, the mobile-first approach, solution relies on two industry standards: so on. Links to the information are conveyed with more service-centric features has an IATA standard from the air transport through 50 beacons and 85 stickers positioned revolutionised the customer experience on THE AIRCRAFT CABIN industry and an NFC standard from the in different locations of the terminal. ground and SpiceJet is committed to avail GSM Association for the mobile industry. Fifteen stickers were also shortly set on the latest the industry has to offer, nurturing This opens the door to a large-scale local buses and at the stops of Aerobus BLQ, the travel experience of our end customers.” OF TOMORROW industrial roll-out.” connecting directly to the Airport’s real-time Glory Nelson, senior vice-president, IT As Renaud Willard, sales and marketing flight information. To share the Airport’s SpiceJet added, “Identifying the customers Industrial Design Meets Innovation director, RESA, said, “Making passenger information, three technologies are without them even entering the PNR A cabin design developed to create a completely new ambience and travel facilitation its top priority, RESA has available: QR code, NFC or Beacon. [passenger name record] reference will be of seamlessly integrated NFC technology into great help to all frequent travellers and will experience: Organic, crystalline shapes in combination with world-class LED the daily operations of Toulouse-Blagnac MOBILE FIRST be surely appreciated by our customers. lighting create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The holistic Interiors Airport. NFC brings speed, easiness and a More recently though, Spicejet became the Knocking off the long queues for the approach integrates the galley and lavatory into one coherent design paperless experience to the airport first airline in India to launch check-in using boarding pass will further improve Aircraft environment. Passengers don't have to think NFC and Beacon technologies. operational efficiency along with improving while making the handling of different features remarkably easy. Enhanced Expo 2017 any longer about their boarding pass, the The smart check-in facility uses Bluetooth our customer experience at the airport.” ergonomic overhead bins, easy-to-use lavatory doors and a ground-breaking Stand 7D20 battery life of their smartphone or the Low Energy and NFC technologies. This The effective integration of technology energy-autonomous galley are just a few of the innovations waiting to take to Hall B7 rotation of their screen. They just walk feature is available for all SpiceJet customers into both airport and airline services can through the airport, simply tapping their who have booked their tickets through the improve customer comfort and convenience, the skies. Discover the aircraft cabin of tomorrow. phone on the RESA readers.” SpiceJet Mobile App. but the widespread adoption of NFC, which www.diehl-aerosystems.com Fast forward, and in early 2016, Bologna The service has been initially introduced has been promised for some time, still seems Airport launched a high-tech information at Hyderabad Airport in close co-ordination a long way off. n

Diehl-Ad-Inflight-March-April-2017.indd 1 2/7/2017 1:35:07 PM Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

THE AIRCRAFT CABIN OF TOMORROW

Industrial Design Meets Innovation

A cabin design developed to create a completely new ambience and travel experience: Organic, crystalline shapes in combination with world-class LED lighting create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The holistic Interiors approach integrates the galley and lavatory into one coherent design Aircraft while making the handling of different features remarkably easy. Enhanced Expo 2017 ergonomic overhead bins, easy-to-use lavatory doors and a ground-breaking Stand 7D20 energy-autonomous galley are just a few of the innovations waiting to take to Hall B7 the skies. Discover the aircraft cabin of tomorrow.

www.diehl-aerosystems.com

Diehl-Ad-Inflight-March-April-2017.indd 1 2/7/2017 1:35:07 PM P.52 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

The Delta One winter menu was created by Maialino’s executive chef Jason Pfeifer and available to passengers in the Delta One cabin on select routes from 1 December 2016 to 28 February 2017.

“We asked what we could do to overcome those issues,” he continues. “It’s easy to throw salt on food but there are negative effects to that as well. The answer is great spices and fresh ingredients that have a high flavour content and use spices that bring out those flavours to improve the taste despite the noise, pressure and low humidity.” As with anything in the air, it all mirrors trends on the ground. “Passengers are much more sophisticated today when it comes to food,” says Pelch. “This results from the increasing popularity of cooking shows, which have made us all foodies. Our expectations are a lot higher today and our goal is to exceed those expectations with bold flavours and unique and bold menus.” China Southern Airlines, New York sales director, James Cai agrees. China Southern Plane food recently launched an innovative food contest Kathryn B Creedy gets a tasty insight into how airlines are to engage passengers in New York. targeting foodies. Cornell assistant professor Robin Dando notes China Southern is partnering with Sennheiser, which produces high-quality, Airline food has long been the butt of subject: The Inflight Food Trip – It’s Not Just noise-cancelling headphones to mitigate jokes, usually concluding that it is an Plane Food! noise impacts. “Research in my lab and oxymoron. But changes in the industry are To quote Mellor and Loukas: “Climb on others suggests that loud environments can forcing airlines to up their game and tackle board to take an in-depth look at airline food alter how we perceive the taste of foods, two things that have long plagued today and decide if it’s still just plane food!” resulting in a different profile than the chef passengers – the impression that airline food What’s the matter with airline food? intended,” says Dando. is little more than TV dinners served at The problem with airline food is simple So China Southern is combating that with 30,000 feet, and how tasteless it is. Indeed, biology. Your sense of taste declines by surround sound. “The partnership is food remains one of the key competitive around 30% at high altitudes. So, naturally, designed to mitigate the impact of noise,” ingredients in the front of the aircraft. food does not taste the way it does on the says Sennheiser director of trade marketing In-flight meal service has now been ground. Stephanie Reichert. “The headphones elevated to a fine art and people are taking “Aircraft are drier than the Sahara at channel the sound into your ear in a distinct notice. In fact, upgrades have even altitude,” says gategroup regional executive way, making you imagine you were totally spawned an in-flight food blog – Inflight chef for the US, Kevin Levett. “Pressure also engulfed by sound.” Feed – authored by Nik Loukas, a self- affects senses including smell and taste.” The shift to more care in the air stems confessed airline foodie, who has been United senior manager, product strategy from passengers demanding more than just running the blog and website since 2012 to and implementation, Jeff Pelch agrees. “It is on-time and safe performance. “Now, as you help passengers to get more out of their not only the low humidity and pressure, but can see, more and more passengers are in-flight experience. the sound,” he says. “When we look at asking for a comfortable and special trip,” Wait. Airline foodie? You heard that right. airlines across the globe, this is something Cai tells Inflight. “We need to better meet Clearly something in the sky has really we are all trying to overcome. We’ve worked their needs and to do that we’re engaging changed and it is best illustrated by the fact – with local chefs in our kitchens across the with passengers to tell us what they want.” AvGeek alert – that Loukas and filmmaker globe and concluded menus have to be easy More importantly, airlines are taking their James Mellor of Rainbow Trout Films are to source from that region, with foods that cues from the restaurant industry. making a 90-minute documentary on the incorporate great flavours. Partnering with the restaurants is nothing Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.53 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Delta’s new meal programme will feature a variety of options for customers depending on the time of day of their flight.

new. I still have the Pan Am menus from a family trip to Paris when I was a teen that extolled catering by Maxim’s of Paris.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE But watching restaurant trends, and even being ahead of restaurant trends is one of the most important keys to improving food on board. United is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to determine future trends. While many airlines team with celebrity chefs, United is the only North American around the world and developed a star- design with today’s trends, they may not be airline with its own catering kitchens. In studded menu of 240 new entrées, 96 trendy in eight months so we have to work fact, it has 160 kitchens worldwide. appetisers and 48 salads. It achieved direct ahead,” he continues. “We have to identify “Having our own kitchens is important,” customer feedback from customers who were up-and-coming trends and then serve them says Pelch. “It enables us to do a lot of our served the new dishes in five-star restaurants. at the peak of their popularity. Our goal is to own menu development, although we also “The new menus themselves were serve restaurant-quality food, not airline work with catering companies such as developed over two and a half years with food. We must gauge what the customer gategourmet. Our chefs have deep multiple trips to China, Europe, Japan and wants. It has to look appealing because you experience in both the restaurant and airline Australia,” Pelch explains. “We worked eat with your eyes before you take the first worlds, leverage how flavours react and closely with our sales teams and customers bite. Then, when you do take the first bite, tailor their efforts to the unique demands of in various markets. We let them talk to the you have to come away saying ‘that was a airline catering. They know they have to chefs. We have received great feedback and great meal’, not ‘a great airline meal’.” make it easy to board, plate and present to there’s a lot more to come. We continue to Polaris includes a dessert cart with the passengers. They also have to maintain high innovate. We have to avoid menu fatigue company’s signature ice cream sundaes, quality and consistency. Having our own and try to rotate the menus frequently and petit dessert options and chocolate truffles. kitchens ensures that the product is add new elements so our customers will On daytime flights longer than eight hours consistent, which is one of the biggest continue to look for something new; and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot aspects of executing on a good passenger something with bold new flavours.” mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni experience. We have to ensure that if two Menus are also seasonal, with the main and cheese will be available, as part of passengers are sitting next to each other and courses being changed every quarter. The United’s desire to include American comfort ordering the same thing, they receive the overriding goal is to create menus influenced food with a twist of elegance on same meal in quality, taste and presentation. by the region from which an aircraft is international flights. The key is fresh ingredients that bring out operating as well as sourcing fresh ingredients the natural flavours of the food itself.” locally in a farm-to-tray-table concept. The BEYOND SALT AND PEPPER Interestingly, it was United that prompted menu is then complemented by wine curated Perhaps the most important factors in new this story in the first place because, in its roll- exclusively by United’s Master Sommelier. airline meals are flavouring and how food is out of the Polaris product, it indicated it was United’s effort also affords the ability to be reheated in flight. Levett explains airline researching how to overcome what happens ahead of the power curve when it comes to ovens are hotter at altitude and have less to senses at altitude. Turns out, it is not culinary trends. moisture, resulting in dry food. To alone. Filmmaker Mellor noted Lufthansa Pelch explains, “We took a deep dive into counteract this, gategourmet is using tests its meals in a hyperbaric chamber. The the international foodscape and asked how different cooking methods and making new fact is airlines in the past have relied largely we can design our menus to meet passenger food choices. on salt and pepper to flavour the food. All expectations. We held 28 menu workshops “Passengers and airlines alike are that has changed thanks to food science. in 16 cities and five continents, adding new demanding fresh food,” gategroup’s Levett The Polaris Galley resulted from a flavours and seasonal ingredients that are tells Inflight. “A lot of airlines used to provide partnership with The Trotter Project and was sourced fresh from the local region.” frozen meals but no more. We are looking at four years in the making. Essentially, it Pelch notes it takes six to eight months to trendy items. We are asking what is in teamed United chefs with premier chefs from design a brand-new menu. “If we were to market-leading restaurants. And we are P.54 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

In 2015, United and The Trotter Project joined together to boost travellers’ in-flight dining experience. Offering Solutions. definitely would. However, I’m a big believer that airline food is like in-flight entertainment, all the various sections, taking off the wrappers, experiencing the meal, tasting are all forms of in-flight entertainment that help the time pass.” In fact, the goal of the The Inflight Food Trip – It’s Not Just Plane Food! is to highlight that food and the entire story behind it is a changing the way we cook to add value to “We have to understand how food tastes driving point in competition. the meal. For instance, we are doing sous- in the air when we are preparing food on the And that is what fascinates Loukas and vide cooking.” ground,” Levett explains. “It is also about Mellor, who cover the industry from the Sous-vide food is sealed in a vacuum- much more than taste. It is about the passenger perspective, and brings a new sealed plastic pouch then placed in a water ambiance and the service, just as it is in a view through Loukas’s food expertise. “For bath or in a temperature-controlled steam restaurant. The service affects the taste and me, the film is all about discovering how environment for longer cooking times, experience of the food. If you have good airlines express their own identity by the resulting in more flavourful, moist and service you enjoy your meal more. The foods they serve,” he says. “Each one has healthy dishes. plating has to be perfect because it is the first their defining dish and the way they serve it, Airlines are also changing their meat impression, which can bias the senses as to which is quite unique to them. This is the selections away from the traditional steak whether the meal tastes good or not.” way they say ‘we are SAS, China Southern, and potato to more complex dishes. “We are That is definitely part of United’s Swiss’. That’s an interesting story about how offering braised beef, for instance,” says philosophy. United’s guide is something much effort goes into airline food – the Levett. “We use meat cuts that are more Chef Trotter said: “One of the most beautiful logistics, how they source their food, how flavourful and that don’t require as much things that I can do for you – or that any one they prepare and serve it and the innovative seasoning. They are also less susceptible to of us can do for another – is to serve each things they do to engage with customers and airline catering and reheating.” other. It’s one of the most human things. You bring new menus to the table.” Pelch concurred with the shift away from do that from the heart. You do that because steak, potatoes and broccoli. “If passengers you want to connect with somebody. UPPING THE ANTE drew a picture of what they wanted it would ‘Service, not servitude’ is something that Delta launched its passenger experience be something more adventurous, such as should never be lost.” programme after the recession, investing braised short rib with creamy polenta, fava US$2 billion in cabins and airport and mushrooms; things with elevated FOOD FIGHT infrastructure along with renewed emphasis flavour and a great story behind it. I think In-flight service has always been seen as part on running an on-time airline. Efforts the real story is fresh flavours with really of an airline’s competitive edge – the way it included quality meal service and comfort in great ingredients that bring out the natural sets itself apart from its competitors. Since business and first. flavours. For instance, at our kitchens in the Great Recession, industry consolidation, While American is pretty much there with Tokyo, we source fresh produce from a and the advent of competition from Delta, United is playing catch-up with Polaris, single farm, which delivers daily. Our crews premium carriers from the Middle East and which is a great start that will require The Hybrite S line is the new standard with a unique balance of can then talk about how this one farm Asia, US airlines have invested billions in the continuing innovation, as Pelch acknowledges. durability, ergonomics, weight and style. The Hybrite S line includes supplies United every day. It’s a great farm- passenger experience even as they short- A recent ‘innovation’ by Delta illustrates meal, bar, waste, and folding trolleys, as well as containers, with to-tray-table story.” changed economy class by adding fees for just how competitive the consolidated US various options. The Cool Trolley keeps food and beverages chilled Similarly, Loukas notes Korean Airlines everything under the sun. airline industry remains. The Atlanta-based for an extended period of time, while Smart Lock provides an has an organic farm in Korea that supplies Loukas definitely sees good food as a airline is upping the ante once again with its intelligent solution to unauthorized access, preventing valuable losses. the meat and vegetables to first and competitive edge. “If you look at some of 1 March roll-out of complimentary meals in business class. the world’s great airlines one of their key economy class, after tests showed customers Airlines are also shifting away from salt selling points is the in-flight service or perceived a marked improvement in the and pepper, to higher flavour content food,” he says. “Price always wins out for in-flight experience. including umami, garlic, mushrooms, consumers generally, and I don’t think “We are all about making our Main Cabin tomatoes, seaweed, anchovies and people would fly a particular airline just experience the best it can be for our parmesan, according to Levett. because Nobu created the meals, although I customers, and offering free, high-quality Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Offering Solutions.

The Hybrite S line is the new standard with a unique balance of durability, ergonomics, weight and style. The Hybrite S line includes meal, bar, waste, and folding trolleys, as well as containers, with various options. The Cool Trolley keeps food and beverages chilled for an extended period of time, while Smart Lock provides an intelligent solution to unauthorized access, preventing valuable losses.

P.56 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

meals is a big part of that experience,” says includes upgraded Main Cabin snacks, Veggie Wrap, or a fruit and cheese plate. For Allison Ausband, Delta’s senior vice- enhanced blankets, refreshed Flight Fuel, its overnight flights, they are offered a breakfast president – in-flight service. “When we food purchase programme, as well as bar during the pre-arrival beverage service. tested this concept, our customers loved it in-flight entertainment. Main Cabin In addition to the Main Cabin meal and appreciated it so we are implementing it customers on long-haul international flights service, customers seated in Delta Comfort+ in our most strategic markets. We will be the are also treated to complimentary beer, wine enjoy a pre-arrival snack basket, which will only US carrier to offer complimentary fresh and spirits, and sleep kits. be included on all 12 routes, and NEW Generation In-Flight Wi-Fi System meals from nose to tail on select coast-to- Delta, too, is focusing on innovative, complimentary beer, wine and spirits. coast routes.” seasonal and locally sourced food and Additionally, a mid-service Greek frozen ALL-IN-CABIN design : 3 or less LRUs for full cabin Wi-Fi coverage and HD The meals will be served on its longest beverages. Delta’s new meal programme yogurt bar will be offered in Delta Comfort+ video streaming entertainment on narrow body aircraft. domestic flights, including transcontinental features a variety of options for customers on flights between JFK and LAX or SFO. routes between Boston, JFK and Los depending on the time of day of their flight. All this activity on the food front is just part Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and In the morning, customers will have the of the continuing expansion and retraction of Seattle, targeting JetBlue, Alaska, American option to choose between a Honey Maple airline passenger services. In 2009, when fees and Spirit. Breakfast Sandwich, Luvo Breakfast Medley began to take off, I predicted airlines would ● Small form factor, easy to install in cabin, The enhancement is part of Delta’s or a fruit and cheese plate. During the day, start rebundling their in-flight options, so it is small modification to aircraft ongoing multi-million-dollar investment in they select from a Mesquite-Smoked Turkey no surprise that they are upping the ante with ● Enhanced human-machine interface the on-board customer experience that Combo, Luvo Mediterranean Whole Grain one another. n ● Auto wireless data transfer via dual 4G ● Reserved Satcom/ATG interface ● CWAP control and system management China Southern creates NY food competition ● Flight data acquisition via ARINC429

Everyone knows the ‘Big Three’ US airlines a passenger’s travel. We’ve done a lot to compete in a final taste-testing event at ● IEEE 802.11ac WAV II – Delta, American and United – dominate make sure we provide the best quality of BREAD, housed in New York City’s Nolitan New Generation System : Wi-Fi 6000 ● Active smart antenna technology the airline scene in New York. So, what is food to our customers, yet we still want to Hotel on 26 January. BREAD is itself a winner ● Prominent high density access a relative newcomer supposed to do to make sure we understand their need better.” of one of New York’s most coveted restaurant ● 2.4/5G dual frequency access engage some of the most demanding The winning entry during the event was a awards – Time Out’s Most-Loved Restaurant ● 130+ users HD streaming on 1 AP airline passengers out there? lasagne dish submitted by Lia Comandatore. Award 2016 – and is planning on opening a The answer, according to China The winning online entry was special restaurant in China. Southern, which fields two flights daily from steamed salmon submitted by Isabella China Southern also partnered with Airline New York to its hub at Guangzhou, was to Benjamin. Chefs also made a Swine and Wine Foodie Nik Loukas and Filmmaker James stage a food fight. Well, it was actually a pork stew submitted by Gina von Esmarch. Mellor, who partnered to create The Inflight food competition, but food fight illustrates While the dishes aren’t on the menu yet, the Food Trip documentary. Attendees are to be how airlines are focusing on creature airline is working with chefs in China on how featured in the documentary and the winner comforts to compete for passengers. best to leverage the new recipes. won a round-trip ticket to Guangzhou. “China Southern Airlines started this A member of the SkyTeam Alliance, China “This is something that has never been campaign to directly engage with Southern Airlines sponsored done before,” says Loukas of China travellers and learn more about local #ChinaSouthernFoodies, a social media Southern’s innovative passenger engagement flavours,” explains Kevin Hou, general contest to find the next in-flight food programme. “By inviting the general public, manager at China Southern Airlines sensation. Targeted at everyone from China Southern Airlines will substantially New York. professionals to home cooks, foodies and upgrade the transparency surrounding airline Indeed, it was a way to raise its visibility flyers across the world, the airline wanted food, where all decisions are typically made in a tough market, according to China their recipes via Facebook, Instagram and behind closed doors.” ● Design for both wired and wireless AVOD ● Easy replacement for tape/DVD devices ● Mass storage and long playing time Southern’s New York sales director James Twitter to help the airline find the next in-flight BREAD chefs converted the winning ● Wi-Fi & Bluetooth ● FAA/EASA/CAAC PMA ● 3.5 inch high definition display ● Up to 2A current USB charging ● Low power and weight ● With both touch screen and keyboard Cai. “We hoped to promote our brand dishes and snacks. How about a lavender entries into airline-friendly options and, ● PA/VA supported ● Plug and play ● User-friendly interface awareness both online and in the local and pistachio brioche doughnut or steamed highlighting the airline’s partnership with ● HD screen and capacitive touch panel ● Proven reliability with 2000+ installations ● Specific media content for individual flights New York area,” he tells Inflight. “We want special salmon? What about easy-to-make Sennheiser, participants tested the food while ● Customizable replacement for existing ● All major Hollywood studios approved ● Quick content and software update to hear passenger opinions on in-flight shortbread cookies or spring/veggie rolls? wearing the Sennheiser headphones monitors food service, which is an important part of Three entries were ultimately chosen to designed to surround them with sound.

www.donica.com [email protected] +86-755-26983727-8039 / +1-954-526-0000 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

NEW Generation In-Flight Wi-Fi System ALL-IN-CABIN design : 3 or less LRUs for full cabin Wi-Fi coverage and HD video streaming entertainment on narrow body aircraft.

● Small form factor, easy to install in cabin, small modification to aircraft ● Enhanced human-machine interface ● Auto wireless data transfer via dual 4G ● Reserved Satcom/ATG interface ● CWAP control and system management ● Flight data acquisition via ARINC429

● IEEE 802.11ac WAV II New Generation System : Wi-Fi 6000 ● Active smart antenna technology ● Prominent high density access ● 2.4/5G dual frequency access ● 130+ users HD streaming on 1 AP

● Design for both wired and wireless AVOD ● Easy replacement for tape/DVD devices ● Mass storage and long playing time ● Wi-Fi & Bluetooth ● FAA/EASA/CAAC PMA ● 3.5 inch high definition display ● Up to 2A current USB charging ● Low power and weight ● With both touch screen and keyboard ● PA/VA supported ● Plug and play ● User-friendly interface ● HD screen and capacitive touch panel ● Proven reliability with 2000+ installations ● Specific media content for individual flights ● Customizable replacement for existing ● All major Hollywood studios approved ● Quick content and software update monitors

www.donica.com [email protected] +86-755-26983727-8039 / +1-954-526-0000 FOKKER SERVICES

ADS-B out Be ready for the 2020 mandate!

In 2020, the FAA and EASA will mandate that all aircraft flying need to be equipped with an upgraded version of ADS-B out (DO-260B). As currently only a limited number of aircraft are flying with compliant hardware, a large retrofit program needs to be started, where 40k aircraft need to be modified. The modification for ADS-B out may take considerable effort. Therefore most probably the heavy maintenance schedules will drive the window of opportunity to modify each aircraft.

Aircraft Applicability The ADS-B out modification will be available for a wide range Fokker Services offers you the ability to start your modification of aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Fokker program to become compliant for the 2020 mandate. Request aircraft. Fokker can act as a one-stop-shop for your mixed fleet information about our integrated solution for your fleet today! needs whatever they are.

For more information contact Fokker Services through e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.fokker.com/ADS-B-out

Contact Fokker for your ADS-B out solution today!

FKKR7005 Adv ADS-B out 205x273.indd 1 07-02-17 14:37 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.59 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

FOKKER SERVICES

FTS’s wearable technology offers improvements to both crew and passengers.

In FTS, Alexander Preston finds a company that’s making a big entrance in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market.

A series of recent high-profile ADS-B out announcements belie the relative youthfulness of China-based FTS. Be ready for the 2020 mandate! With regional offices in China, Singapore and the US, FTS is a relatively new player in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity Forged by In 2020, the FAA and EASA will mandate that all aircraft flying need to be equipped (IFEC) market. with an upgraded version of ADS-B out (DO-260B). As currently only a limited number of “FTS is not your average IFEC vendor,” says Darrel Chua, general manager of FTS in aircraft are flying with compliant hardware, a large retrofit program needs to be started, Singapore. “We are partners to the airlines. where 40k aircraft need to be modified. We are confident that our business models will help airlines maximise revenue experience The modification for ADS-B out may take considerable effort. Therefore most probably generation potential and these strategies will the heavy maintenance schedules will drive the window of opportunity to modify revolutionise the IFEC industry.” updates and weighs only 3.5 kg. The GNS video and audio entertainment, play single each aircraft. The company designs and manufactures supports Gigabit Ethernet and Discrete I/Os or multiplayer games, read the latest news, its own aircraft hardware, software, mobile as well as ARINC429 and ARINC717 databus. view 2D or 3D flight progress maps and apps and cloud back end. During APEX 2016 Also featured are two wireless access indulge in shopping. Aircraft Applicability in Singapore, FTS showcased one such points that support the latest 802.11ac In late October, the company announced the mobile app. standard and a 3G/4G cellular modem successful completion of the installation and The ADS-B out modification will be available for a wide range Fokker Services offers you the ability to start your modification The smartwatch app allows flight that takes up to four SIM cards. The Cabin certification test flight of the system on board a of aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Fokker program to become compliant for the 2020 mandate. Request attendants to receive and manage passenger Wireless Access Points provides multi- China Southern Airlines B737-800 aircraft. aircraft. Fokker can act as a one-stop-shop for your mixed fleet information about our integrated solution for your fleet today! requests, such as extra blankets, without Gigabit Ethernet and discrete interfaces. “This is indeed a very exciting day for the needs whatever they are. compromising their other duties. With FTS’s proprietary technology, a FTS team and our customer,” said FTS FTS Cabin Wireless Solution is completely single CWAP can supply 180 passengers president and CEO Duan Shiping. “We designed and manufactured in house. The concurrently streaming audio and video kicked off this program just five months ago For more information contact Fokker Services through e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.fokker.com/ADS-B-out system features a high-performance 2-MCU on demand (AVOD). and it’s amazing that we are able to embedded file server. The General Network Passengers can connect to the on-board complete installation, test flight and stay on Contact Fokker for your Server (GNS) supports Hot-plug SSD drives, wireless network through their own mobile schedule for CAAC [Civil Aviation USB 3.0 ports for maintenance and content devices and enjoy streaming HD-quality Administration of China] MDA ADS-B out solution today!

FKKR7005 Adv ADS-B out 205x273.indd 1 07-02-17 14:37 P.60 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Canada’s First Air is the first North American customer for FTS.

avionics and telecommunications research. Rich Salter has been appointed as chief technology officer while Jack Sunabe has joined as director of programme management. The additions further boost FTS’s product development capabilities and strengthen its programme delivery to FTS’s inaugural customer in North America. “We are indeed most fortunate to have both Rich and Jack join FTS at the right time when we are rapidly expanding,” said Shiping. “Rich and Jack each bring a wealth [Modification Design Approval] installed on the airline’s mixed fleet of A319 of knowledge and experience across the certification. We have great expectations for and A320. different aerospace fields, including avionics our next-generation in-flight wireless system Supporting its efforts to deliver a world- hardware, software, testing, certification, and believe the new opportunities that it class next-generation IFEC system and programme management and quality. Their offers will be appealing to the airlines.” connectivity service with an affordable price presence will help propel our global R&D “We were able to accomplish this feat in point, FTS has received a financial injection. and programme management teams to new record time thanks to our tireless project FeiTian United System Technologies, the heights, ultimately delivering world-class teams and close collaboration with the parent company of FTS, finished a series B in-flight innovations to airline customers.” customer,” added Shiping. “Unlike other funding round in China that is in the region of The duo join Ben Fuller, who is platforms in the market, FTS Cabin Wireless tens of millions of US dollars. The February spearheading FTS’s marketing and business Solution is designed from the ground up to 2016 financing round was led by Civil development efforts in the Americas and the optimise generation of airline ancillary Aviation Investment Fund, the official Caribbean. “It’s great to be back in the IFE revenue. The successful test flight and government investment fund under Civil industry again. I believe we are well positioned certification is a huge confidence booster to Aviation Administration of China, and China to make a big impact in the IFEC landscape airlines and this opens up a world of Aviation Industrial Fund, a leading and introduce some positive disruptions over opportunities to tap on new sources of investment fund for aviation industry sectors. the next few years,” said Fuller. ancillary revenue.” Fuller added, “We have a great The statement was followed immediately TEAM PLAY opportunity to differentiate ourselves from by the news that Canada’s First Air is to To enable its customers to identify and the competition with our flexible business install the system on its fleet of B737s in the maximise the ancillary revenue generation model, innovative products, impeccable first quarter of 2017, for both charter and as well as providing analytics on passengers’ service and rapid speed to market. My goal is commercial flights. viewing patterns and habits, FTS has to hit the ground running and continue the According to Shiping, “We are working assembled a team fully backed by years of positive momentum at FTS.” n closely with the airline and FAA to apply for STC [Supplemental Type Certification] With FTS’s proprietary technology, a single Cabin Wireless Access Point can supply 180 approval. With the expected issue of STC in passengers with streaming AVOD simultaneously. early 2017, that will start opening up new opportunities worldwide and establish ourselves as a respectable global player.”

SUPPORT TOOLS In a sign its products and services are gaining traction with the airlines, and following its breakthrough in North America, FTS announced its Cabin Wireless Solution had been selected by another undisclosed airline customer from Southeast Asia. The system will be Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

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KID-Systeme GmbH Lüneburger Schanze 30, D-21614 Buxtehude Phone +49 40 743 716 33 Fax +49 40 743 838 29 E-Mail [email protected] www.kid-systeme.com Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.63 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Hamburg will again play host to the cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment and passenger comfort industries.

Finding order in the air, airlines are under increasing pressure to invest to meet the evolving needs of passengers. This is reflected in the continued growth of the IFEC Zone, which is now firmly in Messe established as one of the world’s largest As Aircraft Interiors Expo touches down in Hamburg, events dedicated to content and service providers. There are 18 new showcasing the Inflight team looks at some of the expected highlights. companies, including LiteAir Aviation Products, Otonomy Aviation and Philotech, It’s that time of the year when the in-flight as Acro, and Mirus Aircraft Seating,” says alongside 100 existing exhibitors in the Zone. entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) Polly Magraw, event director for AIX. Some 20,000 visitors are expected to industry descends upon Hamburg, Germany Magraw adds, “Aircraft Interiors Expo is a register to attend Passenger Experience for the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX, unique opportunity for your business to Week, which also includes the World Travel 4–6 April). exhibit your product innovations in front of Catering and Onboard Services Expo, “This year AIX welcomes 55 new exhibiting more than 1,000 key airline buyers. The co-located at the Hamburg Messe. companies, including Adient, Bombardier event will provide the opportunity for The week begins with the eagerly and airtango. They will join more than 500 business networking as well as hearing and anticipated Passenger Experience companies at the event including discussing the latest issues and trends within Conference (PEC) on 3 April. The event is longstanding exhibitors, such as Airbus, B/E the industry.” dedicated to the future of the passenger Aerospace, Boeing, Inmarsat, Panasonic As passengers, but particularly millennials, experience industry and incorporates a Avionics and Zodiac and newer entrants such demand an at-home connectivity experience broad choice of presentations and panel P.64 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

An expanded IFEC zone bears testimony to the growth of content and service technologies.

assets, and people with proven industry- specific architectures and technologies and create an open platform that is extensible and adaptable to customer needs. Therefore, our platform approach keeps a constant consideration of innovative solutions in order to meet customer’s requirements in any industry, and builds a foundation that that can be further developed in the future,” says Sara Pepic, marketing manager. “Our mission is to reinvent the way people consume media and services at home, at work and while travelling. As for 2017, there is no doubt that the content discussions on the key themes of generating more flexible, making it “the best platform for management in the cloud will be one of the revenue, the connected journey, and the connected aircraft”. A fully modular most dominant topics. While the business comfort and wellbeing. Leading speakers on approach will enable use cases for cabin, decision for a cloud or on-premises solution these topics come from inside and outside cockpit and crew, in addition to IFE. is still a tough one to make, we already the passenger experience industry, including Unwilling to share more details, Lufthansa simplified this choice by making our Dick Powell, the chairman of design agency Systems has teased with news of an Axinom Content Management System Seymourpowell; Paul Edwards, head of extension to its existing partner network. (CMS) support deployments both in the industrial design at Airbus; and Blake The company is set to announce new cloud and on premises. Emery, direction differentiation strategy at partnerships, which will provide additional “Furthermore, the ability to provide a Boeing Commercial Airplanes. services and functionalities. During the show studio-grade DRM protection in offline New to the PEC this year is the Airline the company will give an update on current environments and cover different usage Breakfast Forum. This addition presents an roll-out projects, which include the first scenarios on board is one of the core opportunity for airline attendees to network, airlines within the Lufthansa Group, for requirements for modern IFE systems and debate informally with their peers about connectivity services and announce new this requirement will be further emphasised issues relevant to improving the passenger customers for both BoardConnect and in the future. experience in their businesses and to share BoardConnect Portable. “Our Axinom Digital Rights Management best practice insights. Attendees at the “As IFE’s presence at the Aircraft Interiors (DRM) service is the first multi-DRM product Airline Breakfast Forum will also be invited Expo is rapidly expanding, it’s more important that can operate in a disconnected fashion, to a keynote by Jeff James, vice-president than ever that we are there to showcase our enabling premium video on board of more and general manager of the Disney Institute. brand and services to leading airlines all over than a hundred aircraft in the world today. Another addition is CabinSpace LIVE, a the world,” says content services provider And with Axinom Content Delivery System theatre-style series of seminars where Global One Media. “Our booth for 2017 is our (CDS), we will continue bringing new and visitors can “learn and be inspired on a largest ever for this reason.” future-proof aspects of synchronisation to variety of pressing issues within the IFEC, Encouraging visitors to check out their different industries using standardised interiors and MRO sector”. latest creative content concepts, along with communication protocols and mediums.” exciting new developments, the company According to Phil Brace, IFEC and IN THE ZONE adds, “As AIX sets the agenda for our airborne power solutions at DDC Electronics, One familiar name returning to the IFEC Zone industry and the future of the aircraft “The Aircraft Interiors Expo at Hamburg is is Lufthansa Systems. Visitors to its booth will interiors, it’s a great chance for us to meet considered to be one of the key industry be able to see new features on its in-flight our core customers and discuss the latest trade shows for the cabin electronics and entertainment (IFE) solution, BoardConnect developments and future capabilities in interior vendors and airlines. We can expect Portable. According to the company, the user in-flight entertainment.” to see all of the IFE, connectivity, seat, experience stands at the heart of new It is these future capabilities that Axinom monument and materials suppliers exhibit at developments. This includes a new user is keen to showscase. “In the future, we will this show in early April.” interface, which is even more intuitive to use, continue providing the core foundation of He adds, “For DDC Electronics, we expect and an architecture that will become even digital platform products to connect services, to see continued interest in our airborne Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.65 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

power solutions from the OEMs [original all of which are focused on improving the series to be available, bridging a long flight equipment manufacturers] that we have passenger experience. time. Passengers, especially those travelling supported for more than 23 years”. “As always, Expo visitors can expect to on business, want to be well connected and The Pascall product line has shipped in receive a warm welcome at the DDC booth able to be productive, ideally not noticing excess of 165,000 power supplies in line in Hall 2, where a range of power and any difference to working in the well- replaceable units and embedded forms to its cabin system solutions will be on show,” equipped office premises of their company. core focus markets of IFE, connectivity, Brace asserts. The challenge facing airlines, and personal electronic devices (PEDs), power Having been acquired by ViaSat in therefore aircraft manufacturers and all their and seat actuation. November 2016, Arconics will have a strong suppliers, is making all this possible and “In an industry that faces ever-increasing presence at AIX 2017. Along with colleagues offering their customers maximum comfort. competition, DDC’s power solutions continue from its parent company, it will display a full Especially in the business-, first-class and VIP to offer high efficiency and industry-leading suite of connected apps for aviation, from aircraft sectors, a customised and well- reliability in multiple form factors. high-capacity satellite connectivity for W-IFE equipped flying conference room is needed. “We can expect to observe ongoing to the AeroDocs safety and compliance In order to provide such an individual trends at the Expo in the areas of seatback document management system for airlines. cabin, it takes more than a good interior IFE, wireless BYOD [bring your own device] designer. Such projects are usually highly IFE, high-bandwidth connectivity and PED VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES complex, time consuming and very power provision. In addition, next- When a passenger enters an aircraft, they expensive. The sooner the OEM can present generation seat designs will be exhibited, don’t only expect the latest movies and TV the cabin to his customer, the airline, the

22-23 JANUARY 2018 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE | UAE

THE MIDDLE EAST’S ONLY AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EVENT

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quicker he can implement all requirements sure the finished product will meet all safety Ross Burns, group lead industrial designer and individual adaptions to start production. and certification guidelines. By automating at AIM Altitude’s Cabin Interiors division Dassault Systèmes’ Passenger Experience these various functions, companies are able explains, “The Virtual Experience Studio will allows designers, engineers, and customers to reduce the time it takes to engineer custom be a creative area where customers and to virtually experience the aircraft’s interior configurations that create whatever visitors can customise an aircraft scene to even before the first physical prototype is environment customers want to achieve. their own taste. This ‘white space’ virtual- built. The 360-degree view lets them explore At AIX, Dassault is offering visitors the reality model uses state-of-the-art technology all cabin features under any lighting opportunity to try Passenger Experience to bring to life the interior space. Visitors to condition or in any environment to assess and explore how it feels to be inside their the stand will experience physical feedback and validate shape, function, reflection own cabin. blended with digital customisation of an array materials, colour, trim, and comfort. Another company taking innovation a step of units. Trim and finish, as well as ‘feature’ What differentiates Passenger Experience further is AIM Altitude. In the run-up to possibilities, will be enabled for visitors to see is that it fully automates the cabin design and Hamburg, the company has given a sneak in real time how different products could look layout process using unique knowledge, peek on what visitors can expect to see on its within the cabin architecture.” based on 3D applications that capture and stand, which it says “will provide a metaphor Based around a ‘development project’, apply companies’ expert know-how. It for what the company does best: taking the stand will consist of two areas that incorporates a company’s own design and complex design visions from concept through illustrate AIM’s design, engineering and manufacturing rules and Intellectual Property to certified reality, while maintaining the manufacturing techniques and capabilities. (IP), as well as industry regulations to make design integrity and brand identity.” The first is a creative element – a Door 2

Join the Crystal Cabin Award 2018 – take the opportunity to win one of the coveted trophies for your aircraft interiors innovation. Application period: October 2017 Winners will be presented on the occasion of the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

www.crystal-cabin-award.com www.hamburg-aviation.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.67 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Visit the Inflight team at AIX in Hamburg! Booth 4UC15.

entrance concept. Being the main entrance deployment systems with ‘improved reliability, sophisticated appearance, unequalled to the plane for most airlines, Door 2 is the simplicity and feel’ will also be presented. legroom, 13% lighter weight than the first impression that the passenger is likely to “The market is very buoyant and we see current-generation seat, 50% reduction receive. This makes it particularly important growth for 2017, both in the global aircraft in parts, greater durability and lower costs for this area to create a brand image and seating market and within our business. of operation.” differentiation from other airlines. It is also Exciting times ahead!” says Alan McInnes, Having successfully supplied seats for the space in which many airlines choose to head of sales at Acro Aircraft Seating. “The line-fit since 2015, the company signed a include a bar, lounge, or display monument. overall economy-class seating marketing is contract with Airbus during January for The second is a practical product that has expected to grow year on year between now Acro products to be included in their BFE potential for commercialisation. According and 2032 (Airbus/Boeing data) with 39,620 (Buyer Furnished Equipment) Catalogue. to the company, this physical product is an new aircraft built by 2035, 78% of which “This agreement with Airbus is the latest exciting proposition too, with numerous new will be single aisle. milestone achievement that reflects how features, some of which AIM Altitude The company will be exhibiting its new hard we’ve worked to grow Acro by describes as ‘revolutionary’. These Series 6 economy-class seat, the Series 7 investing in our staff, product innovation developments to the product have, says premium-economy-class seat and the and supporting infrastructure. Burns, come about from customer Series 3 ST. “Appearing in the Airbus Catalogue interaction, where AIM Altitude has “The breakthrough in the evolution of the extends our reach and accessibility to designed and engineered features to meet Series 6 seat, has been to simplify the scheduled flag carriers, enabling our growth specific customer demands. structure in order to maximise living space and pursuing our vision of perfect comfort The exact details, however, will remain for the passenger and to replace the for passengers,” McInnes says. under wraps until the show itself. traditional seatback with a composite that is Elsewhere, LIFT by Encore and Rebel.Aero Bucher Leichtbau expects 2017 to be an both as beautiful as it is efficient. The have indicated they will be making some exciting and positive year as it intends to simpler configuration and customisation highly anticipated product announcements. introduce a range of new products. At this offers increased passenger comfort, a more We await further details. n year’s AIX, Bucher will be showcasing several new and improved products as well Dassault’s Virtual Passenger Experience as a virtual cabin walk-through. offers visitors the opportunity to explore cabin concepts. At their booth visitors can experience one of these products first hand – a complete aft galley, which is part of Bucher’s new galley system for the Airbus A330neo. This galley, known for its lightweight and reliable design, has been optimised for additional storage space. Also part of the exhibit will be the newly designed entry area complex, which will include a galley featuring the new and innovative SkyDrinx beverage dispenser. Part of this exhibit will also be a space-saving combination between a self-service counter and a business-class front row monument. For aircraft seating applications, a variety of in-flight-entertainment and tray table your solution provider for... Reliable a i R boR ne PoweR

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See us at... Hamburg, Germany April 4-6, 2017 53 Stand# 2C80 years of To learn more, visit Connecvity Power Control service www.ddc-web.com/ifec/ifm Pascall is a subsidiary of Data Device Corporation Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.69 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 your solution provider for... Reliable a i R boR ne PoweR

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Neutral Digital’s infotainment app, Fleet Explorer, provides up-to-date fleet information.

In-Cabin Power Supplies

Reliable, Field-Proven Power Solutions • Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), embedded power supplies and integrated assemblies A crystal salute • Power ranges from 10 watts to several kilowatts • Full conformance to RTCA-DO-160, Airbus & Boeing specs Ariana Khushal casts her eye over the entries in this year’s clear marketing and revenue optimisation • AS9100:REVC ISO9001:2008 ISO14001:2004 Crystal Cabin Award. objectives. “Thanks to the user data, we provide airlines with the formula for • A leader in high reliability power solutions for commercial on-board monetisation, and propose them aerospace, defence and sub-sea applications The aircraft interiors industry’s version of Safety and Environment; Material and several different sources of cash flow the ‘Oscars’, the Crystal Cabin Award (CCA), Components; Passenger Comfort Hardware; through on-board sales, entertainment Applications returns for its 11th anniversary and is once University; and Visionary Concepts. content packs, platform sponsorship and • High Power USB • Seat Displays again setting milestones. As usual, the In-flight entertainment (IFE), in performance marketing.” • Satcom • M e d i a S e r v e r s presentation ceremony will be held during particular, is receiving more and more The system is based on the bring-your-own- • DBS TV • Cellular Comms Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. attention in the cabin industry. This device (BYOD) concept, allowing an airline to As Lukas Kirchner, marketing and press for includes innovations for passenger screens serve all kinds of entertainment, including TV Cabin Lighting • Seat Actuation • CCA, declares, “We are very happy to see that but also, and most importantly, in terms of shows, sports, news, comedy and e-books, to the Crystal Cabin Award has set another on-board connectivity. a passenger’s smartphone, laptop or tablet record in shortlist entries for the fourth year using an in-cabin Wi-Fi network. Most of the See us at... in a row, with now 85 contestants from 21 PERSONAL TOUCHPOINTS content is provided free of charge. Hamburg, Germany countries. This also marks a new record in According to Ana Torres, marketing and “According to the airline’s preferences, we April 4-6, 2017 international participation.” communication at Immfly, her company’s can bring the passenger experience beyond Stand# 2C80 The prizes are awarded across eight entry is unique in the European market. The the aircraft, offering airlines a 360-degree 53 categories: Cabin Concepts; Cabin Systems; Immfly system delivers quality, content-rich, touchpoint with the passengers – before, years of To learn more, visit Connecvity Power Control service www.ddc-web.com/ifec/ifm Pascall is a subsidiary of Data Device Corporation Electronic Systems; Greener Cabin, Health, connectivity-ready platforms designed with during and after the flight,” explains Torres. P.70 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Immfly has submitted its BYOD IFE solution.

passengers to cover the costs by paying user fees, and the limited availability of bandwidth. The essential difference, the company claims, between airtango and other providers of in-flight connectivity is that the focus is not on a technical solution that enables ‘bandwidth for payment’. Instead, Living Networks is an integrated, passenger-centred solution. Steffen Knödler, chief executive officer of airtango, adds: “Having started just a year ago, we are honoured to be among the finalists for this prestigious award. It is a tremendous opportunity to present our innovative solution to a worldwide audience of experts. It definitely raises our profile in Immfly is operative on Iberia Express’s full “This ecosystem addresses the key the market and will help to make our fleet (21 aircraft), and recently launched on challenges of any air transportation participation in the Aircraft Interiors Expo in board Volotea’s Airbus A319 fleet and XL operator: how to differentiate my product Hamburg a success.” Airways’ A330 aircraft. and services, how to save on Capex and Helping deliver this ‘at home’ experience, With the increasing use of personal Opex, and how to generate new revenues while also bringing tangible benefits to electronic devices (PEDs) on board aircraft, and create additional value.” airlines is the Airtime portal from Global more and more airlines are wanting to have Eagle (formerly known as Global Eagle a visible presence on these platforms as an AT HOME IN FLIGHT Entertainment). extension of their brand. As various surveys keep telling us, According to Josh Marks, executive vice- One such response comes from Air connectivity is tremendously important for president, aviation connectivity at Global Caraïbes, the regional aircraft of the French travellers; so much so, in fact, that it is now Eagle, “Airlines are faced with the challenge Caribbean, which, with its partner, Display set to become a fixed component of the of rivalling the at-home experience. The Interactive, has nominated its IFEC passenger experience. And airlines are set to Airview reporting dashboard is a suite of ecosystem, iZivision. In short, the system is a benefit too, if German tech company data-rich back-office tools that generate “unique combination of seat-back IFE, cabin airtango has anything to do with it. detailed analytics and reports, including Wi-Fi, ground applications and broadband The company says it “focuses on turning actionable data to improve and evolve the connectivity service, running on multiple free internet access, on the ground and in airline’s product offering.” technical configurations, integrated with the the air, into a source of revenue. Its “Global Eagle’s combined content, airline’s IT systems and updated in real time.” integrated, user-centred solution, Living distribution and technology platforms As Thierry Carmes, strategy and Networks, offers passengers live content provide airlines and millions of passengers development director of Display Interactive, tailored to their individual needs: live TV with the industry’s most complete offering of highlights, “This is the first time, in my IFE and entertainment, destination-related in-flight content, e-commerce and experience, that an airline rolls out a information, and customised services.” information services gate-to-gate. These comprehensive in-flight ecosystem where all The technologies developed by airtango offerings are delivered via the most IFE, connectivity, and IT software make it possible to achieve an almost advanced technology solution in the components are interfaced and mutualised, ‘at-home experience’ on board an aircraft. industry and are accessible through Global in order to maximise passengers’ experience Earnings from on-board shopping, affiliate Eagle’s Airtime Portal. As the industry as well as tangible and intangible returns for marketing and personalised and target- continues to mature, airlines are faced with the company.” oriented advertising exceed the costs of the challenge of rivalling the at-home For Carmes, iZivision “demonstrates that connectivity and increase the airline’s experience. With Global Eagle’s Airtime IFEC is no longer an insulated part of the travel ancillary revenues. Portal, airlines can give their passengers value chain, and that the value generated can Living Networks attempts to solve two access to everything they have at home, on be harvested independently from technical fundamental challenges of cabin their preferred device, while building airline architecture and hardware investments. connectivity: the limited willingness of brand loyalty,” he concludes. Inflight www.inflight-online.com Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.71 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

IFPL’s Nexus Integrated Seat Arm addresses the dual problems of aesthetics and functionality surrounding in-seat power.

Improved digital experience on board an aircraft requires airlines to keep IFE content, crew and passenger services continuously up to date. To keep the innovation pace high, airlines look for solutions to improve the partially manual, costly, and time-intensive process. And it is here that Axinom steps in, as Sara Pepic, marketing manager of Axinom, states. “Our product Axinom CDS is the robust solution that magically manages all aspects, including utilising different pipes (LAN, WiFi, 3G, LTE, satellite networks), managing interruptions, prioritising important data, and controlling data transfer cost. Axinom CDS, together with Axinom CMS and Axinom and recyclable package. This package can be Another company with in-seat power on DRM, make the core foundation of digital converted into a smartphone caddy that can its mind (or at its fingertips) is Astronics platforms in different vertical markets.” be held by an airline seat’s tray table latch. PGA Avionics. The system (CMS) supports deployments As August Wong from B/E Aerospace’s Its ‘Philea’ concept has been designed to both in the sky and within ground-based advanced design group reveals, “While the replace two products instead of one. Emilie premises, empowering crew members to bulk of our work is a very high-level brief, we Honneur, marketing communication manager, automatically pull the latest content and are often travellers in main cabin ourselves. notes, “Dedicated to the premium economy service packages for the upcoming flight It helps ground a lot of our perspective and seat, our product includes an innovative using the Sync App on their mobile devices solutions as we feel the same issues as others. solution of embedded USB charging ports while staying in a hotel or at the airport. However, we’ve the distinct advantage of dedicated to the passenger seating behind to During the flight the Sync App automatically being able to propose ideas that will be allow use of his/her personal electronic device connects to the on-board server to adopted back into the field.” independently. It also includes head capacitive synchronise and distribute the content and It’s one thing keeping a phone safe and control. The directional light beam allows service packages. cosy; it’s quite another keeping it charged for direct light for passengers to illuminate their In the future, Pepic says that “the Axinom the duration of a flight, especially on long- own personal space. digital rights management (DRM) service is haul routes. With the Nexus Integrated Seat “The result is a perfect area of illumination the first multi-DRM product that can operate Arm, IFPL believes it has the solution, with for any passenger environment. This in a discounted fashion enabling premium “a ground-breaking concept that addresses intuitive light can be easily mounted into the video on board of more than a hundred the issues faced by the IFE industry headrest of the seat. Moreover, the modern aircraft in the world today. With Axinom regarding seat integration, whilst delivering design is enhanced by a beautiful and (CDS), we will continue bringing new and an enhanced passenger experience”. discreet mood lighting, which perfectly suits future-proof aspects of synchronisation to According to the company, the product the seat and cabin environment,” she adds. different industries using standardised seamlessly blends passenger connectivity, communication protocols and mediums.” power supply unit (PSU) and audio SAFETY FIRST functions into the arm of the seat, meeting “We see more and more entries focusing on SMART THINKING the passenger expectation of integrated, sustainability as well as safety, which are As smartphones become ever more in-seat charging and connectivity for PEDs. cleverly conceptualised and certainly here to pervasive, passengers are presented with the “The demands on airlines to deliver an stay. The Diehl Smart Wireless solution, issue of keeping their devices safe. B/E ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing helping the crew to oversee the cabin better, Aerospace thinks it has the answer. product for passengers are delivered, whilst I think stands out,” says Crystal Cabin The company has introduced a very counter-balancing the requirements for Award’s Kirchner. simple but smart device that comes from a smaller and more compact seats. The Smart Wireless Seat Monitoring snack box, and which will hold your phone. “The Integrated Seat Arm is a stylish, new System gathers essential data on each As part of a flight’s food services, healthy at-seat power, audio and data connectivity passenger’s seat status, such as whether it is snack bars can be packaged inside a reusable concept,” IFPL claims. occupied, the position of trays, backrest and Inflight_Ad Combined_205x273_HIRES.pdf 1 19/02/16 11:11 AM

P.72 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com The best Lufthansa Technik’s niceview allows passengers to track their flight on their own PED. in-flight With passenger numbers increasing, and fleets evolving rapidly to accommodate, keeping conventional printed fleet sound information up to date is not only outdated but also expensive and unkind on the environment, says Neutral Digital, who claims its IFE infotainment app, Fleet ...just got Explorer, removes these complexities and allows airlines to digitally and instantly update their fleet information. so on. Legally, seatbelts must be fastened, Elsewhere, Lufthansa Technik has Developed using Unity3D, the world’s better backrests must be in the upright position, introduced an interactive system that lets most popular game engine, Fleet Explorer and trays must be folded away to protect passengers track their own flight live on uses the enhanced processing power of Increase headphone performance by passengers in emergency situations, such as their tablet or smartphone. “Until now, this Panasonic’s X series to showcase an airline’s combining with Phitek connectors. when flying through turbulence. However, level of directly experiencing one’s own fleet in 3D – with high-fidelity textures and passengers are not always compliant and, flight was only available in VIP aircraft,” delightful interactivity. The benefit to the currently, crew members have to visually explains Andreas Pfister, lead project airline is an increased awareness of the fleet Magnetic connectors will also verify the seat status of each passenger. manager for the Original Equipment including current and future orders. significantly increase the life of the This system frees crew from this process, Innovation division at Lufthansa Technik. As CCA’s Kirchner concludes, “2016 was jack and eliminate pin breakage. automatically determining the status and “Now passengers can take the fascination of already a year of milestone concepts, and sending the information to the flight flying into their own hands.” The 3D moving looking at the shortlist of this year, we have attendant panel (FAP) or a tablet while the map uses real satellite imagery, which the feeling that the key question in IFEC is crew is securely seated. This can be allows passengers to select from a variety of currently more evolving around smart supplemented with further information, customisable options, such as information implementation and integration rather than such as window shade positioning, to give a on altitude, speed and travel time. the visible ‘wow’ effect of what you can do.” n full overview of the cabin status. It also monitors seat pockets, alerting passengers if something has been left behind. The system additionally checks for the presence of life vests. As the system uses wireless TU Delft hopes to make the journey communication, it can be easily installed in to the seat more simple and less new and existing aeroplanes. stressful via beacon technology. TU Delft’s Myseat concept has been designed to help make the traveller feel better during the boarding process and reduce crucial boarding times. A user-centred design, Myseat uses Bluetooth beacons throughout both the terminal and aircraft to guide a passenger directly and efficiently to their seat, straight from check-in. The final beacon is the passenger’s seat itself. As the passenger gets closer, a spotlight above their seat will start to light up. Getting closer means a more intense spot light. When at the seat, the passenger is able to put small luggage in the compartment under the seat pan and close it. Once seated, To discover more, visit us at Aircraft Interiors Expo the spot light will turn off and a welcome Stand 2E70, or email [email protected] message will appear on the IFE screen. phitek.com Inflight_Ad Combined_205x273_HIRES.pdf 1 19/02/16 11:11 AM

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Magnetic connectors will also signiﬁcantly increase the life of the jack and eliminate pin breakage.

To discover more, visit us at Aircraft Interiors Expo Stand 2E70, or email [email protected] phitek.com

Inflight www.inflight-online.com P.75 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017

Hacked off Has the development of the connected aircraft and prevalence However, there still persists a culture of of PEDs left the IFE system an open gateway for hackers? ‘alternative facts’ around cybersecurity and the aviation industry, and threats do remain. Alexander Preston reports. As Deloitte notes in its research paper, Please Fasten Your Seat Belts: Managing “Any system that gets the attention of the His were the latest in a series of such high- digital risk to support aviation innovation, hacking/research community will eventually profile headlines, the most notorious being “Traditional threats remain, but as the be found vulnerable. There is literally an Chris Roberts, security researcher and aviation industry reaps the rewards of infinite number of ways to compromise any founder of enterprise security assessment technology innovation, the industry must system. Organisations need to constantly and consulting firm One World Labs. In a also respond to an emerging and ever- monitor and test their systems in order to series of 2015 tweets and subsequent evolving array of cyber risks. The keep up with security issues. Moreover, interviews with the FBI, Roberts admitted to consequences are no longer limited to data organisations should assume compromise ‘hacking’ into the communication system of privacy breaches and compliance penalties. will happen and plan accordingly,” advocates a United Airlines flight he was on. In the worst cases, cyber risks can threaten Mike Ahmadi, global director – critical Despite finding a degree of succour in the passenger safety and ultimately the viability systems security at Synopsys, a software and mainstream press and other outlets, Roberts of the organisation itself.” security solutions provider. has subsequently been widely lambasted A response has come at collegiate level. Just before Christmas last year, IOActive and discredited for his actions. In a written In December 2014, five major international researcher Ruben Santamarta published response, Boeing stated, “Media sources aviation organisations – the International claims that he had found several recently reported that a 737 passenger Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), vulnerabilities in Panasonic Avionics claimed that he used the aeroplane’s in-flight Airports Council International (ACI), the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and entertainment system to access certain flight Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation warned that such security holes could, under control systems and alter the aeroplane’s (CANSO), the International Air Transport certain circumstances, be used to control flight. While we do not detail specific cyber- Association (IATA) and the International in-flight displays, PA systems and lighting, defence measures for security reasons, we Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industry access passenger credit card data as well as believe, based on the aeroplane’s design, Associations (ICCAIA) – agreed on a the wider aircraft network, including the that this reported intrusion simply could not common roadmap to align their respective aircraft control domain. have occurred.” actions on cyber threats. P.76 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

United was once of the first airlines to offer Wireless a bug bounty programme. It does not cover IFE systems.

The Group invited hackers and research centres to take part in the preliminary stage of the programme, hosted on the vulnerability co-ordination and bug bounty platform, HackerOne, which, once live, will encourage participants to hunt down Bluebox Wow Bluebox wIFE vulnerabilities on www.worldshop.eu according to a predefined set of rules. Portable wireless streaming – Fitted wireless streaming – Depending on the gravity of the reported lightweight, scalable, battery-powered, 1,000’s of hours of IFE content vulnerability, a reward will be paid out in no mandatory STC. to passenger devices. the form of Miles & More miles. After a successful launch of the limited The cybersecurity agreement formalises offer rewards to security researchers, who bug bounty program, every HackerOne user their common front against the hackers, receive recognition and compensation for will be able to participate. The bug bounty ‘hacktivists’, cyber criminals and terrorists finding and reporting bugs, exploits and program will later be expanded to include Bluebox Ai Bluebox Hybrid now focused on malicious intent ranging vulnerabilities in the organisations’ websites other Lufthansa Group websites. from the theft of information and general and applications. As with United’s bounty programme, Standalone portable IFE – Connected portable IFE – provides disruption to potential loss of life. In December 2015, United Airlines despite recent concerns about the possibility optimised & approved for delivering secure EWC in a wireless cabin, “Our common goal in developing this of in-flight hacking of aircraft, Lufthansa’s became the first airline to launch such a pre-loaded EWC on iPads. minimises wireless network traffi c. agreement is to work more effectively programme. “We believe that this program programme excludes bugs within on-board together to establish and promote a robust will further bolster our security and allow us Wi-Fi, entertainment systems or avionics. cybersecurity culture and strategy for the to continue to provide excellent service,” the Even Gogo, a provider of in-flight benefit of all actors in our industry,” airline said in a statement. internet and entertainment services, has commented ICAO secretary general, focused its recently launched bug bounty Raymond Benjamin. BUG HUNTS programme on the security of the credit To better co-ordinate their actions The programme covers the discovery of card transaction page. and responses, the cyber agreement potential security bugs that affect United’s The goal of the programme, which is signatories will now be more proactive websites, apps and/or online portals. hosted via Bugcrowd’s crowd-sourced Portable in sharing critical information such as Then, at the beginning of February 2016, community, is to identify vulnerabilities in threat identification, risk assessments fellow Star Alliance member Lufthansa Gogo’s ground-based public website and and cybersecurity best practices. They Group became one of the first aviation airborne systems, ensuring that Gogo's will also be encouraging more substantial companies in Europe to face the challenges customers and employees are using a secure co-ordination at the state level between of a bug bounty program. platform that’s free of security their respective government and industry “Our websites are an attractive target for vulnerabilities. For testing the airborne stakeholders on all cybersecurity strategies, cyber criminals. Data theft and trafficking systems, researchers will only be able to Looking for an IFE Portable IFE solutions – Bluebox Ai and Bluebox Hybrid – provide airlines all the benefi ts of IFE policies, and plans. have become a lucrative business. We want access these systems while flying on a Gogo- on the latest off -the-shelf technology. Approved for pre-loaded early window content, they also “As technologies rapidly evolve and our customers to feel comfortable trusting us equipped aircraft. solution that is fast deliver a range of other video, audio, reading and gaming content to passengers. Bluebox Hybrid become more readily accessible to all, cyber with their sensitive data, and the security of Gogo is reportedly offering between connects to additional content and services available on wireless streaming systems. threats cannot be ignored,” Benjamin our customers has always been our top US$100 and $1,500 per bug. and cost effective stressed. “This is an important new area of priority. We already have very high But should more attention be paid to the Wireless IFE systems – Bluebox wIFE and Bluebox Wow – off er fi tted and portable wireless aviation security concern and our global standards to protect customer information IFE system as a weak link in the ecosystem? to deploy? options for streaming IFE content to both passenger and airline- community will ensure that it is met with a and want to improve them even more with In a strongly worded rebuttal to owned devices. strong level of commitment and response.” this bug bounty program. The topic of data Santamarta, Panasonic said: “IOActive has If you’re looking for options – for delivering IFE, replacing obsolete IFE It may seem counter-intuitive, but this security has a very high priority for the entire chosen to make highly misleading and community also involves hackers Lufthansa Group,” says Andreas Dürkop, inflammatory statements suggesting that systems, providing service recovery, delivering accessibility services, themselves, and more and more companies vice-president, IT security, of the Lufthansa hackers could ‘theoretically’ gain access to generating ancillary revenue – contact us to discuss how a Bluebox are beginning to appreciate the value of bug Group. “The best possible protection for flight controls by hacking into Panasonic’s solution can work for you. bounty programmes. sensitive customer information is also a IFE systems. Panasonic strenuously VISIT US IN HALL B2 Bug bounty programmes are an emerging fundamental part of the corporate identity disagrees with any suggestion by IOActive Contact us to discuss your portable & wireless IFE requirements. ON STAND 2D30 category of crowd sourcing. Organisations of Miles & More.” that such an attack is possible, and calls blueboxaviation.com [email protected]

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Bluebox Ai Bluebox Hybrid

Standalone portable IFE – Connected portable IFE – provides optimised & approved for delivering secure EWC in a wireless cabin, pre-loaded EWC on iPads. minimises wireless network traﬃ c.

Portable

Looking for an IFE Portable IFE solutions – Bluebox Ai and Bluebox Hybrid – provide airlines all the benefi ts of IFE on the latest off -the-shelf technology. Approved for pre-loaded early window content, they also solution that is fast deliver a range of other video, audio, reading and gaming content to passengers. Bluebox Hybrid connects to additional content and services available on wireless streaming systems. and cost effective Wireless IFE systems – Bluebox wIFE and Bluebox Wow – off er fi tted and portable wireless to deploy? options for streaming IFE content to both passenger and airline- owned devices.

If you’re looking for options – for delivering IFE, replacing obsolete IFE systems, providing service recovery, delivering accessibility services, generating ancillary revenue – contact us to discuss how a Bluebox solution can work for you. VISIT US IN HALL B2 Contact us to discuss your portable & wireless IFE requirements. ON STAND 2D30 blueboxaviation.com [email protected]

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P.78 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com ESSENZA

Lufthansa Group recently Essentially: class! launched a bug bounty for flaws on its shopping platform.

with, or exceeds, all requirements, and are Geven's latest response to the newest quirks of routinely and regularly tested by third-party high density comfort seating. professional security firms, as well as by Light and tight - Essenza's little body is all that participants in its independent bug bounty you need to carry passengers in comfort inspite program, in which Panasonic provides of the smaller pitches. unfettered access to its products to allow for Essential in design, but substantial in reliability. in-depth security testing and analysis. Panasonic also fully supports aircraft Conceived for the short haul - its life cycle is manufacturers and aviation regulatory one you can count on for the long haul. agencies to ensure its IFE systems are designed to comply with all aircraft manufacturer and regulatory security requirements, and routinely reviews its designs with such groups. upon IOActive to clarify that its research aircraft were never in danger or does not support any such inference. compromised due to the system segregation SAFE AND SOUND C “IOActive has presented no evidence that and robust security design of our in-flight But Andrey Nikishin, head of future its examination of Panasonic’s systems entertainment and communications (IFEC) technologies projects at Kaspersky Lab, M would support any such suggestion, and its product, and of all commercial aircraft as believes there is more the aviation industry Y statement that its ‘research revealed it would well. His exploit itself was limited to a can do. “I think there is a problem with cyber CM also theoretically be possible that such a single seat and information gathering; security in the aviation industry. Recent MY vulnerability could present an entry point to control override of the IFEC seat and research conducted by IOActive proves this the wider network, including the aircraft system did not occur.” by revealing the reality connecting to the CY controls domain’ will only serve to falsely Gates continues: “It’s not too far of a safety-critical avionics system of the plane CMY alarm the flying public.” stretch to suggest that flight entertainment via the in-flight entertainment system. This K systems could even be hacked from the risk is another consequence of the current RED FLAGS ground, via the internet access on the plane. trend to connect anything and everything to According to Stephen Gates, chief research If remote access was gained while the plane the internet – in itself, connectivity is not a intelligence analyst at NSFOCUS, a provider was on the ground, or by way of a hacker bad thing at all but that connectivity can of enterprise-level network security planting a backdoor via an infected device only be a positive trend if the cyber security solutions and services, Santamarta’s actions while in flight, hackers could cause all kinds features are well designed and implemented. show that the “physical separation between of disruption that would not directly impact “In my experience, I have seen a in-flight entertainment systems and aircraft them – since they’re not even on the plane. dangerous preconception among engineers control systems could never be more Now that’s a scary thought…” who work in safety-critical industries such as important. As airlines continue to add new Alex Cruz-Farmer, vice-president at aviation: they believe that safety and customer-based entertainment and NSFOCUS adds, “Previous hacks and security are the same thing. In reality, this is information technologies, airlines need to vulnerabilities have always been on the completely the wrong approach; if a device ensure that an impenetrable barrier is in ground, but we’re now in the realms of is ‘safe’ it means it’s working properly and place protecting aircraft control systems. something extremely scary – hacks in mid- has normal functionality, protecting it This research demonstrates that hackers air with no escape. The active threats will be against unintentional actions, but that could cause all sorts of issues that could growing, and with thousands of planes in doesn’t mean it’s automatically cyber-secure. impact a customer’s ‘experience’ while the air, the remediation of this is going to be Security protects against the intentional flying, but have yet to prove they could extremely complicated and time consuming. actions of a person who wants to misuse the impact flight control systems. Let’s all hope This will be a huge flag to all manufacturers device. A device is secure until new issues or that remains the case, long term.” to review their underlying platforms, and vulnerabilities are discovered, meaning Such points were addressed by whether their integrated infrastructure has security needs to be maintained constantly. Fly beyond expectations Panasonic’s statement. “It is important to the necessary security around it to protect So, in the case of the in-flight system: is it note that, during the course of this us, the passengers.” safe? Yes. Is it secure? It was, until the unauthorised, in-service testing, the safety, For its part, Panasonic says its IFE products problem was discovered, at which point it is www.geven.com security and comfort of passengers of the have a robust security design that complies no longer secure.” n full_205x273+6.pdf 1 22/02/17 14:55

Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com ESSENZA Essentially: class!

Geven's latest response to the newest quirks of high density comfort seating. Light and tight - Essenza's little body is all that you need to carry passengers in comfort inspite of the smaller pitches. Essential in design, but substantial in reliability. Conceived for the short haul - its life cycle is one you can count on for the long haul.

CMY

Fly beyond expectations

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Time to deliver Joshua Flood of Valour Consultancy looks into the future of in-flight connectivity in Europe.

In recent weeks, Valour Consultancy has been in discussion with a plethora of vendors about how in-flight entertainment and content markets are developing. One of the potential key disruptors is the increasing installed base of Wi-Fi connectivity on passenger aircraft, quality of connectivity and the potential of video- on-demand offerings. Conversations quickly turn to service operator offerings and their coverage in North America. In the past, although satellite-based connectivity is now being widely adopted by European carriers, the conversation about Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network (EAN) combines an S-band satellite with a complementary service operator expansion and future airline LTE ground network being provided by Deutsche Telekom. adoption would become staccato and tended to splutter, before eventually mellowing to a airlines flying over the European routes, Once the aircraft has reached 10,000 feet, slow, ponderous plod. utilising Inmarsat’s 30 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) Deutsche Telekom’s ground network will be Nonetheless, with the advent of the S-band spectrum allocation in all current combined with the satellite connectivity. strategic partnership between Inmarsat 28 European Union member states. Cabin systems will balance the use of the and Deustche Telekom, and their European One of the unique aspects of the new satellite and ground connectivity, which Aviation Network (EAN), things could network is the combination with a Long- Inmarsat contends will not affect the service change very quickly. Term Evolution (LTE) based ground delivered on board. As such, Valour Consultancy aims to network, which is a first in Europe for In November 2016, Inmarsat announced provide some clarification and foresight on aviation purposes. that the International Airlines Group (IAG) this matter, as we do with most in-flight It is anticipated that 300 LTE sites will be had confirmed plans to install Inmarsat’s entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) and built across Europe by Deutsche Telekom EAN high-speed connectivity services on up cabin technology related subjects. and Nokia. to 341 of its narrow-body aircraft. Commercial operation is planned for mid- The first aircraft would be a British EUROPEAN AVIATION NETWORK 2017, with full European coverage expected Airways Airbus A321 this summer. The EAN is a hybrid offering consisting of an by the end of 2017. Of the 341 short-haul aircraft, 132 can be S-band satellite, which will provide multi- The LTE sites will have a range of more attributed to British Airways, 124 to Vueling, beam, pan-European coverage, and a than 80 km, assumed not combined – eight 45 to Iberia and 39 to Aer Lingus. Lufthansa, network of ATG cell towers. times the ten-kilometre range of traditional which is rolling out Inmarsat’s Global Xpress The satellite is modified to offer mobile LTE sites – and will be able to transmit data to (GX) solution, has also committed to trial satellite services to commercial and business the operating altitude of passenger planes. the EAN later this year.

SMN 3137-4 INFLIGHT FULL PAGE AD.indd 1 2/22/17 3:59 PM P.82 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

Air France-KLM has signed up to Gogo’s 2Ku service.

In Scandinavia, SAS and Finnair can be removed from the equation, having signed deals with ViaSat to fit Ka-band connectivity on their respective short-haul fleets. Elsewhere, Air France-KLM has committed to deploying Gogo 2Ku on its long-haul aircraft, although a Global Eagle and Orange trial of Ku-band connectivity on a couple of A320s has now come to an end and could pave the way for a sizeable chunk of aircraft OTHER AIRLINES high upfront costs associated with to join the network. Likewise, Alitalia’s When talking about other airlines that may, purchasing and installing such systems. collection of 78 A320 family aircraft may potentially, install the service, we need to To put this into perspective, a Ku-band also be up for grabs once the carrier deliberate on the ‘why’, ‘when’ and ‘how connectivity system might cost somewhere completes roll-out of Panasonic IFC on its much’ questions. between US$300,000 and $500,000 to buy, larger planes. Certainly, airlines want to replicate the install and certify, with the antenna Other notable candidates could include experience passengers have been accounting for a huge chunk of this sum. TAP Portugal, LOT Polish Airlines and Aegean accustomed to on the ground when hurtling The footprint of ATG systems are much Airlines, as well as the previously mentioned through the air at 500 miles per hour, smaller and more compact with blade notoriously cost-conscious LCCs. Between 35,000 feet above the ground. antennas, four of which are generally them, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Pegasus Aside from a generally more satisfied required, estimated to cost somewhere in Airlines operate some 769 aircraft that are passenger, the benefits of such high-speed the region of $2,400 each. seemingly well suited to the EAN and all have connectivity include the potential to Due to its hybrid nature, aircraft connecting ambitious fleet expansion plans in place. generate larger ancillary revenues, gain a to the EAN will require both ATG antennas, Scrying through the haze, I foresee a greater level of understanding of their and an S-band antenna – a factor that will major announcement from one of these customer base, thus creating a more intuitive increase installation costs compared to an airlines before the end of 2017. One with a personalisation of passengers’ likes and ATG-only solution like Gogo’s. However, it logo resembling a Guinness looks a good bet. dislikes. This, in turn, may generate even would still be more cost effective than a Ku- Could a touch of orange appear on the further revenue opportunities. or Ka-band-based connectivity system. horizon by the end of 2020? Air-to-ground (ATG) technology is It should be noted that we’re working considered to be far more cost effective, WHO AND WHEN? under the assumption that twin-aisles will easier to install and much smaller and Whenever performing the role of a maven not adopt the EAN, unless of course airlines compact than satellite equipment. To and staring into one’s crystal ball, it’s are also interested in GX. Inmarsat has amplify this cause, bandwidth is also important to map out the playing field. talked about the possibility of airlines being cheaper (although satellite capacity costs are Jotting down some quick calculations of able to switch between GX and the EAN, falling quickly), and there are also latency the total available market on the back of a should they wish to do so. advantages for ATG systems. proverbial cigarette package, reminiscent of All things considered, a reasonable Valour Consultancy’s belief is that low- a famous scene in the cult football film Mike assumption could see an installed base of at cost carriers (LCCs) will grasp this Bassett England Manager, where Ron Benson least 2,000 aircraft being realised in the not- opportunity with both hands. and Tony Hedges are called into the England too-distant future. Gogo has already One of the biggest LCCs in Europe, squad for a crucial qualifier, Valour demonstrated how ATG connectivity can be Ryanair, has previously stated a dislike for Consultancy estimates a total available deployed rapidly, and the conditions exist satellite-based connectivity solutions, one of market of more than 3,000 aircraft for the for a healthy number of target aircraft in this the major reasons being the bulky radomes EAN as things stand. region to be fitted out with similar required for Ku- and Ka-band systems. Three hundred and forty-one of these are equipment in a comparable timeframe. One Some of the main issues are the weight of already assigned to the IAG group and there thing’s for sure, in-flight connectivity is no the antenna, air drag and consequential is the potential for a sizeable number of longer a conversation that centres on the increase in fuel consumption – a big issue in Lufthansa Group aircraft to also one day be North American market. Things are hotting past years, and potentially a big issue once fitted. But what of other major carriers in up all over the globe and Europe is set to again if oil prices increase. Another is the the region? take centre stage. n Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.84 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com business aviation

Aeronexus’s B767-300ER has recently concluded a five-week Asia Pacific tour with the rock band Guns N’ Roses.

offering more space and comfort as well as an increased 6,500 nm range, enabling a London to Rio nonstop flight. Based at the 24/7 Diamond Hangar at London Stansted since its arrival into service, A better the B67-300ER is perfectly located to serve the needs of Aeronexus’ customers. Some 60% of the company’s flying originates from the London area, with around 20% operating out of Manchester and Liverpool, and the get your paSSengerS out remaining 20% from elsewhere in Europe. way to fly Each charter is seen as a bespoke event. of StIcKy SItuatIonS. “We work closely with each client to ensure IntroducIng the revolutIonary Smarttray® tray-table As Aeronexus celebrates the first anniversary of its Boeing that their private jet charter is tailored to their exacting requirements. Our aircraft from aStronIcS. offer your paSSengerS more room and VIP 767-300ER, Alexander Preston finds it really is a rock- becomes yours for the duration of the more In-Seat convenIence wIth a buIlt-In ped holder and-roll lifestyle. charter and the only limit is your imagination,” the company says. for SmartphoneS and tabletS. the Smarttray® SyStem IS by former aircraft In January 2010, the South Africa-based In a first-of-its-kind project, Starling Founded a lIghtweIght, affordable, eaSy-to-InStall way to regaIn engineers Gavin Harrison and Sven Petersen company expanded its operations to include Aerospace transformed the B767-300ER in 2001, Aeronexus’s original remit was to two B767-200ER aircraft, one in an all- from a passenger configuration to a tray Space, avoId fatIgue and Improve the paSSenger manage a Presidential Boeing 727 on behalf economy 220-seat configuration and one in corporate VIP layout, in just six weeks. experIence. contact aStronIcS to learn more about thIS of a Head of State. This was a turnkey a configuration of 100 lie-flat seats. The aircraft was completely stripped, solution and included flight operations, In 2012, the Boeing 727 was taken out of refurbished and refitted with 96 lie-flat Sicma paSSenger-pleaSIng InnovatIon. maintenance and accounting, all of which service and the all-economy Boeing 767 sold Zodiac seats in a six-abreast layout. were performed in house. In fact, holding while the 100 seat VIP Boeing 767-200ER Upholstered with cream leather, each seat Airline Transport Pilot Licences, Harrison was relocated to London Stanstead Airport, now offers a 73-inch seat pitch and in-seat and Petersen have flown for a wide range of UK to meet the growing demand in the power for clients’ laptops, phones and tablets. airlines over the decades and today they European long-haul VIP market. During this project an AdonisOne XR+ continue to occasionally fly as captains, The VIP Boeing 767-200ER was replaced in-flight entertainment system was installed, supported by a dedicated operations team. by a VIP Boeing 767-300ER by late 2015, enabling passengers to watch a selection of ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS | US Office +1.425.881.1700 | Europe Office +41.61.303.8828 www.astronics.com get your paSSengerS out of StIcKy SItuatIonS. IntroducIng the revolutIonary Smarttray® tray-table from aStronIcS. offer your paSSengerS more room and more In-Seat convenIence wIth a buIlt-In ped holder for SmartphoneS and tabletS. the Smarttray® SyStem IS a lIghtweIght, affordable, eaSy-to-InStall way to regaIn tray Space, avoId fatIgue and Improve the paSSenger experIence. contact aStronIcS to learn more about thIS paSSenger-pleaSIng InnovatIon.

ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS | US Office +1.425.881.1700 | Europe Office +41.61.303.8828 www.astronics.com P.86 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com business aviation

The aircraft was fully refurbished in early 2016 and fitted with 96 all-leather first-class lie-flat seats.

2 March 2017. Aeronexus worked closely with charter broker Premier Aviation (UK) to ensure every sector and component of the trip went smoothly. Clients that have enjoyed the Aeronexus B767-300ER’s luxury offering over the past 12 months include Captain’s Choice, which chartered the aircraft for two 23-day tours of South America (one from the UK and one from Sydney); and Liverpool Football Club, which undertook an 18-day tour of the US. more than 90 movies, listen to music, read body market, having incorporated our first The on-board service is decided very much magazines and follow their flight on the live B767 model in 2010.” in conjunction with the charterer of the route map – all using their personal Such detail was evident in 2013, when the aircraft. Each of the operations has a flight electronic devices. AdonisOne avoids the operator partnered with IFE Services (now manager on board, ensuring smooth travel need for pre-installed apps or software, as part of Global Eagle), to provide PlayStation throughout. He/she will direct the six- the content is delivered using an in-cabin Portables (PSPs) for VIP passengers to enjoy. member cabin crew – serving first-class meals, server and Wi-Fi router. The system offers Each device was preloaded with a whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. the ability to stream up-to-date content and selection of popular Hollywood movies, TV Furthermore, the flight manager acts as a a real-time moving map. Up to 20 users can shows and best-selling games. liaison between the airline and charterer. All access the content on the AdonisOne via the “We hope Aeronexus’s VIP passengers meals are served restaurant style, brought unit’s built-in Wi-Fi signal. Any smart device enjoy using their PSPs to help them relax out course by course to the seat, with fine can connect to AdonisOne, which is before their next football match or stage china and cutlery. Tray service can also be controlled via an HTML 5 web user interface, show,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE provided if preferred. In each location the and passengers can change destination Services, at the time of the announcement. flight manager will work with local catering information for the moving map using their “The PSP is a lightweight, robust portable companies to ensure a good choice of meals devices. A lithium-ion battery provides up to entertainment system, ideal for in-flight use.” is made available. Naturally, special dietary eight hours of viewing time and 15 hours of requirements are catered for. standby time. CELEBRITY CLIENTELE Meals can be accompanied by a selection In response to customer requests a divan The 767 has recently concluded a five-week of drinks choices, including – if requested – was also created, which converts to a Asia-Pacific tour with the rock band Guns N’ fine wines and champagne. Premium comfortable bed in a discreet, divided area Roses, with its exterior resplendent in a liqueurs, spirits and soft drinks are also to the rear of the forward cabin. This area bespoke livery for the occasion. The tour available at any time, as is a selection of has its own private washroom facilities, itinerary has seen the B767-300ER visit coffees and teas. allowing principal clients the utmost privacy Tokyo, Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, As the company says, “We make a bold to hold meetings, work or sleep. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, statement. We say that ‘Aeronexus is “Client response to the Aeronexus offering Singapore and Bangkok. The final date saw considered to be one of the most respected has been extremely positive,” explained the aircraft arrive into Dubai World Central private jet charter airlines in the world’ – put Gareth Evans, head of sales and marketing. (at the Dubai South FBO) before returning us to the test; we know you won’t be “These past 12 months, our B767-300ER has to its home at London Stansted Airport on disappointed.” n flown to numerous new destinations, including Buenos Aires, Auckland and Wellington. This year, some more exciting assignments are coming up, including charters to the Far East and the US for Premiership football teams, plus a 23-day tour of South America, Cuba and the Falkland Islands on behalf of Prestige Holidays. “We attribute this success to our attention A leather couch converts to a bed in a discreet, to detail and proven experience in the wide- private screened-off area aft of the cabin. Powerful new insights gained Teledyne Controls is helping to from aircraft data are fueling power the global aircraft industry: greater efficiencies and Technology leadership: With over 50 years’ experience and a history 1.310.765.3600 reducing costs. This is the of firsts, we are revolutionizing teledynecontrols.com power of data at work. aircraft data management. New functionality: Creative data usage is driving new benefits for companies and passengers alike. Responsive relationships: Around the globe, we work side by side with customers in support of their vision.

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Your essential reference guide Suppliers Airports Operators Jobs Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.89 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 business aviation

ALTO Aviation was recognised as Gulfstream Supplier of the Year for 2015. Aural delights Alexander Preston talks to ALTO Aviation as the company celebrates two decades of providing innovation in the cabin and we now have machining and sheet metal fabrication in house. We pride audio experience. ourselves on listening to our customers and these investments are to directly support It began in Massachusetts in 1997, with the Currently, there are thousands of aircraft new products that they have asked for. In simple but ambitious aim of providing each flying with ALTO products, ranging from the past few years it seemed that products customer with the most powerful listening small turboprops up to private 777s. “Our for the cabin were trying to do everything experience available at 40,000 feet. Under product line has expanded to full surround- possible for all customers, making the the stewardship of founders Don Hamilton sound systems, standalone IFE systems, PA system extremely flexible, but also very and Steve Scarlata, ALTO Aviation, which systems, and our new Cadence Switch complicated. The trend we are seeing now this year marks its 20th anniversary, has System (CSS), which can replace obsolete is that customers seem to want products become synonymous with premium cabin cabin management systems with minimal to that are simple, easy to install, and are audio and entertainment systems for no woodwork changes,” says Hamilton. very reliable.” business aviation. The new CSS is designed to include The internal investment mirrors the Hamilton, ALTO’s president, explains, modular discrete switch assemblies to company’s ongoing commitment to quality. “Prior to starting ALTO, Steve and I were both control speaker and headphone audio. According to Scarlata, vice-president of audio system engineers at Bose designing Additional modules are also attached engineering/research and development: custom sound systems. After starting ALTO, within the same custom bezel housing for “When we originally started producing Bose contracted us to provide engineering cabin lighting control and video source audio equipment for aviation the industry support and to manufacture audio systems selection. An AUX audio input and USB requirements were far less strict. It was for Gulfstream, which were designed while charging port are also included in the not unusual to find car stereo or home we were at Bose. Bose exited the business and switch panel configuration. audio equipment being installed in the ALTO worked with Gulfstream to provide a All ALTO Aviation systems are designed, cabin. As the years progressed testing and new audio amplifier, which has been engineered and manufactured in the US qualification requirements have constantly standard equipment since 2001. We then and distributed worldwide, as Hamilton tightened. ALTO has always managed to stay expanded our product offering to complete elucidates. “Over the past couple of years, comfortably ahead of our most demanding audio systems and are now on OEM [original we have been investing heavily in both customer’s requirements. Last year [May equipment manufacturer] models from engineering and infrastructure. Our 2016] we received AS9100 certification so Gulfstream, Falcon, Embraer, Textron, engineering staff has grown to allow us to we are comfortable that we can easily Sikorsky, and Honda.” support a broader product line and expand comply with anything the industry requires.” In 2000, Bose endorsed ALTO Aviation as our research in new areas. Our ALTO Aviation’s Quality System was the preferred audio system supplier to the Massachusetts (Sterling) and Florida already compliant to AS9100, and FAA business aviation industry. (Jupiter) facilities have grown to 45,000 ft2 approved. Adding AS9100 Rev. C P.90 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com business aviation

ALTO Aviation is offered as standard equipment across a number of aircraft platforms, including Gulfstream, Embraer, Cessna and Sikorsky.

The proprietary surround decoding process takes into account off-centre monitors and seating, including frontal sound imaging with rear surround for forward- and aft-facing seats. This processor has been designed exclusively with the challenges of the aircraft cabin in mind. In addition to providing the theatre feel for video, the decoding used by ALTO can enhance music recordings with no switching needed.

GULFSTREAM ACCOLADE ALTO’s relationship with Gulfstream certification strengthens its competitive the most powerful listening experience for continues to strengthen. ALTO sound position and standardises quality processes the VIP and every passenger in the cabin,” systems are standard equipment in across the company. The AS9100 Rev. C says Scarlata. Gulfstream G650, G450/550 Elite Series, certification, issued by SAE International, is The altitude doesn’t directly affect the and G280 aircraft. the highest of global standards for quality sound quality since the speed of sound In June 2016, Gulfstream Aerospace assurance in the aircraft, space and defence remains unchanged in spite of the reduced recognised the company with a prestigious industries and AS9100 Rev. C is the most cabin pressure. However, says Scarlata, Gulfstream Supplier of the Year award for current standard. The standard provides background noise is the main issue. “ALTO 2015. The Supplier of the Year award is given manufacturing suppliers with a has recordings of various aircraft cabin noise for outstanding support to Gulfstream’s comprehensive quality system for providing at various locations. In our engineering growing operations. Gulfstream issues these safe and reliable products. office we have a simulated cabin where we awards bi-annually to recognise suppliers Delivering the highest level of sound play the noise recordings at accurate levels who have achieved superior performance. performance at 40,000 feet, that is the equal to study the resulting impact on sound Award selection is based on the Gulfstream of a home experience, is a science in itself. quality. This data is taken into consideration Supplier Report Card measurement criteria, Conventional home type surround decoder when we tune each system to ensure it which tracks overall value, delivery, quality, systems are not optimal for the aircraft cabin. sounds great under all conditions.” customer service and compliance for select They are designed for a large living room Gulfstream suppliers where the seats are centred amongst the INTERNAL INVESTMENTS As Hamilton notes, “Receiving this award speakers, which can’t be done in the aircraft. The company’s state-of-the-art research and from Gulfstream is a great honour and I’m Implementation of conventional type development facility in Florida houses a extremely proud of our entire ALTO team, surround decoding in the cabin results in testing lab, further supporting in-house which makes great efforts to go above and severe compromises for most of the DO-160 testing and TSO certification beyond to support our customers and passengers. Using proprietary decoding testing. An aircraft cabin mock-up is in place provide the best products possible. This is techniques, ALTO has created the ALTO for use in advanced acoustic research. The extra special for us since it was Gulfstream nVELOP Digital Surround System to provide facility also houses an electrical RF screen that gave us our start in the industry. Even true surround sound for all passengers. room to be used for EMC evaluation and though we were just a tiny company back Every ALTO audio system is custom certification testing on new product designs. then, they gave us the opportunity to design designed and acoustically contoured The lab has developed sophisticated a new innovative product for them. They specifically for each cabin installation. “Prior proprietary design software, as well as worked with us to get our quality system in to aircraft delivery, an audio engineer visits custom-designed speakers and electronics, place and showed us what it takes to support the aircraft and customises the sound profile specifically created to optimise each audio customers in this industry. We work very to maximise the performance of the system. system. ALTO’s innovative design approach closely with both Gulfstream OEM and Elements of the cabin can impact the sound, involves the complete acoustic mapping of Service to provide aircraft with amazing including seating, furnishings, leather, the aircraft cabin, careful selection of audio quality and our new CSS to support carpet, grill material, etc. The tuning process system components, and guidance in older aircraft with obsolete cabin compensates for these constraints to ensure optimal cabin installation. management systems.” n Passenger comfort has been upgraded

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Meet us at AIX 2017 Contact us today [email protected] Boothenabling 4E20, IFEC allZone airlines Hamburg Messe,to create 4-6 April extraordinary 2017 travel experiencesWWW.DIGECOR.COM Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.93 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 business aviation

Ameco’s ACJ319 VIP interior was inspired by the traditional Chinese ink-and-wash landscape paintings of the Song dynasty.

Alexander Preston looks at some of the submissions representing business aviation at this year’s Innovation Crystal Cabin Award.

While its commercial aviation cousins may get all the plaudits, innovation has not been idle in the business aviation by design community. This year’s Crystal Cabin Award submissions range from complete cabin systems to innovative individual components responsibility for this first true BBJ 787 from The master suite has a California king-size and materials. original concept, purchase, design, and bed with a floor-to-ceiling headboard, a First up is the Sky Blue Boeing Business modification through to delivery to the end hidden 42-inch TV monitor, and a separate Jet (BBJ) 787, the result of a collaboration user. The aircraft was sold by Kestrel bathroom with an oversized shower. The between Paris-based yacht and aircraft Aviation Management in summer 2016 to an aircraft also has a large dressing room, a design specialists Pierrejean Design Studio undisclosed buyer. This 2,400-square-foot, refreshment centre with fridge freezer and an and US-based Kestrel Aviation Management. 40-seat (with 28 flat sleeping facilities open-plan lounge configured for 16 people Unveiled in Geneva, Switzerland, at the available) corporate aircraft has an almost and is designed for meetings and entertaining 2016 European Business Aviation 9,800 nautical mile range and the ability to guests. It also has tablet-controlled Convention and Exhibition, Kestrel Aviation fly over 17 hours, non-stop between almost technology throughout, with Wi-Fi hotspots Management has had total turnkey all major cities on earth. and broadband data transfer capabilities. P.94 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com business aviation

The main lounge of Kestrel Aviation’s BBJ787.

poetic and pictorial splendour,” with images of scenery scattered throughout the cabin. “The style, colours and textures feature an unprecedented elegance.”

DESIGNER LUXURY In another inventive cabin design, the Mercedes-Benz Style VIP Aircraft Cabin developed by Lufthansa Technik claims to The aircraft was the first built in full carbon-fibre, all electrical wide-body aircraft.” offer a new dimension of private air travel by compliance with the BBJ 787 specification. Elsewhere, the creation of Ameco featuring an innovative design, combined According to Stephen Vella, CEO of Kestrel Beijing’s VIP and Business Jet Services with the latest communication and interior Aviation Management, “As we did not have centre, the ACJ319 VIP Interior Design ‘Ink- technology throughout the aircraft. an end user identified, we were obliged to and-Wash Landscape’ will be built and Conceived by Mercedes-Benz and become a curator of a client’s needs and completed by 2017 as a full-size, in-house Lufthansa Technik, the VIP Aircraft Cabin is wants on an ultra-long-haul corporate mock-up, functioning as a design and a totally new cabin design. The design aircraft. Our primary aim was to minimise craftsmanship showcase. philosophy of ‘sensual purity’ creates pure, the physical toll that a passenger would This aircraft cabin features a master sensual forms and surfaces that showcase suffer on an aircraft that is capable of bedroom with a bathroom and shower, a VIP high-end technology while radiating 17-hour flights. To achieve this, we needed lounge with a five-seat divan and a club two- emotional appeal. to push the frontiers of luxury, bespoke seating, followed by a large guest area with In the front it features a welcoming aircraft cabin design. The challenge was eight individual mini-suites and a guest entrance, a galley for live cooking and a VIP ensuring that these concepts were bathroom. The interior was designed for ten lavatory. In the aft part of the cabin an compatible with the unique structural passengers, in compliance with general entertainment zone has been combined with characteristics of the carbon-fibre 787.” principles of airworthiness, durability, ease the en suite private area including a free- Given the ultra-long-range capability of of maintenance, and ergonomics. standing shower with transparent side walls. the BBJ 787, the design concept needed to The design team has aimed to create a The luxurious king-size bed is highlighted by convey a feeling of zen, an oasis of peace, unique, modern Chinese-style cabin, the concave and upholstered head wall. The with soft earth tones, uncluttered flowing inspired by the traditional Chinese ink-and- unique helix structure – a dynamic spiral lines with the absence of sharp edges, good wash landscape paintings of the Song layout – is the central design theme control of natural and artificial mood dynasty. As Li Ping, senior aircraft interior extending throughout the aircraft from the lighting. “To the touch, we wanted a design designer notes, “The ACJ319 cabin is just entrance all the way to the bedroom. This that felt organic with surfaces that invited like a continuous scroll painting, filled with creates new, independent spatial zones emotional as well as physical connection. Noise and vibration were addressed with Mercedes-Benz Style VIP Aircraft Cabin. A blend of high-end technology and fine detailing. extensive soundproofing,” says Vella. The cabin design was optimised for long-haul flying and comprises zones that reflect the requirements of government, corporate and high-net-worth principals, such as privacy with discreet guest and staff segregation. As Vella notes, “No-one has project- managed a high-end VVIP BBJ 787 modification prior to this. This pioneering project has the benefit of Kestrel’s prior technical experience on airliner 787s since 2004 and the modification of several large VVIP/head of state aircraft resulting in an exceptional cabin that was on time, largely on budget and below the weight target on a Join European business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2017). Visit the website to learn more and register today.

Join us in Singapore in November 2017 for a new regional expansion of the Inflight event series.

Pavilion: Located at the heart of the MRO Asia-Pacific exhibition floor, the Inflight Pavilion provides a dedicated area for exhibitors specialising in in-flight entertainment, connectivity, cabin interiors and cabin technology.

Workshop: Join industry experts as they debate topical issues affecting the IFEC and cabin technology sectors. Provisional session themes:

Mood lighting Connectivity In-flight entertainment Regionalisation of global content Supply chain management

Awards: Join us as we celebrate recent achievements in IFEC and cabin interiors from airlines and suppliers serving the diverse host region.

Enquire now for exhibition and sponsorship opportunities

[email protected] In association with : Organised by : www.inflightworkshop.com Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com P.97 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Bringing IFEC suppliers and business aviation thought-leaders together Air-Craftglass’s Natural Collection offers designers a range of finishing touches and designs.

parts with 3D geometries, in order to Join us in Singapore in November 2017 for a new eliminate cold spots. LITEHEAT relies on Villinger’s unique regional expansion of the Infl ight event series. heating technology, which utilises customised semi-conductive polymers that are applied on cabin surfaces as an ultra- thin heater layer (less than 0.2 mm Pavilion: thickness and less than 150 g/m2 added weight). This layer emits heat when Located at the heart of the MRO Asia-Pacifi c exhibition fl oor, the Infl ight Pavilion without the typical arrangement of lining laminate ultra-thin real wood, with a electrical power is applied with various provides a dedicated area for exhibitors specialising in in-fl ight entertainment, and wall elements. The aircraft is designed thickness of just 0.2 mm, on one or two suitable voltages. for 16 VIP passengers. sides with ultra-thin, chemically tempered Matching the exact shape and 3D connectivity, cabin interiors and cabin technology. Both companies have been working on and scratch resistant glass. geometry of the interior part, the applied the design of this innovative, luxurious and The final result is a high-end glossy or heater layer creates a homogeneous heater integrated cabin concept since the matte finish and an absolutely flat surface, surface which, depending on customer Workshop: announcement of the co-operation at EBACE which is scratch resistant, easy to clean and requirements, emits either infrared radiation in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2015. Led by UV resistant. The panels are custom made heat or contact heat, and may be covered Join industry experts as they debate topical issues aff ecting the IFEC and cabin Lufthansa Technik’s engineering team, the and ready to install. with several kinds of finishing materials. technology sectors. Provisional session themes: designers have updated the initial design This not only helps furniture makers save While generating a much more concept to fully match the requirements of cost, but also reduces the cost of ownership comfortable environment in the cabin, airworthiness and certification. due to their reduced weight, supply chain LITEHEAT is also characterised by a lower Mood lighting Connectivity costs and durability. power consumption and numerous other In-fl ight entertainment Regionalisation of global content CABIN CONTROL Finally, we have the LITEHEAT cabin advantages compared to conventional On the materials front, F/LIST heated stone heating systems from Villinger. engine bleed air systems. Supply chain management flooring is the first fully certifiable real stone LITEHEAT offers a unique, lightweight, The winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards flooring with integrated heating for aircraft energy-efficient cabin heating technology, 2017 will be formally announced on the cabins. It combines the comfort of which may be adapted to many surfaces in evening of 4 April at a gala dinner in the Awards: underfloor heating with all the advantages the cabin, such as walls, ceilings, floors and Hotel Atlantic Kempinski in Hamburg. n of stone flooring – durable, easy to clean and Join us as we celebrate recent achievements in IFEC and cabin interiors from the sophisticated appearance of 11 different Villinger’s LITEHEAT provides a more controlled heating environment on board business jets. airlines and suppliers serving the diverse host region. available stone types – in a space- and weight-saving product for aircraft cabins. Fast heat-up time, an ingenious fastening system that guarantees easy installation and maintenance, and the additional services offered by F/LIST make this product a true innovation in the business and private aviation industry. A newcomer, aviation glass specialist Air- Craftglass, has developed the ‘Natural Collection’ – a new technology for Enquire now for exhibition and sponsorship opportunities laminating lightweight and ultra-thin glass. The technology enables cabinet makers and installers to create a bespoke aircraft interior from a palette of approximately 500 different real wood veneers. As an extra [email protected] In association with : option, the company can laser cut the veneers to produce a variety of patterns. Organised by : Due to the patent-pending laminating www.inflightworkshop.com technology, Air-Craftglass is able to P.98 / Volume 8 / Issue 2 / March/April 2017 Inflight www.inflight-online.com

THE WORD

Bhoopathi Rapolu navigates his way towards a ‘connected LAST Bhoopathi Rapolu is head of analytics aircraft’. for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Cyient, where he is responsible for business development, technology In the increasingly competitive market, savvy This represents a major cultural shift for an solutions and customer engagement. customers are continuously looking for a better industry where airlines, OEMs and suppliers passenger experience and lower costs from the each hold sensitive information and requirements of an asset before an incident multitude of airlines. As a result, this pressure intellectual property. But, as tier one suppliers occurs. As this technology develops we’ll soon is passed down the supply chain to continue to see the value of connection, they have the ability to stream this information in manufacturers, with airlines looking to make are pushing for their supply chains to widely real time, while the plane is in flight, so teams cost savings to balance their books. Tier one adopt associated technologies, such as cloud on the ground will have sight on immediate suppliers are therefore constantly having to and big data analytics. When executed maintenance requirements, and can be ready innovate and reduce their operational costs. effectively, this connectivity can have a with the appropriate solution before the plane To combat these demands, tier one suppliers dramatic impact. For example, Boeing’s has even landed for inspection. are turning to the digital economy for answers. development of the airframe for the 787 (and While the application of this technology While new technologies continue to positively 777) used collaborative virtual design to slash holds huge potential for the MRO industry, impact isolated areas and operations, linking time to market by more than 50%. By when this is scaled up through connected these through digital transformation is the connecting the supply chain through digital technologies the benefits are further amplified, next frontier, leading the industry closer to the transformation, manufacturers can achieve looking not just at the individual component possibility of the ‘connected aircraft’. both cost and time benefits, with more on a single plane, but applying this intelligence transparency at every point of the network. at a fleet level. By combining sensor data with CONNECTED SUPPLY CHAIN maintenance records and operational records, Traditionally, innovative manufacturing REVOLUTIONISING THE AFTERMARKET field event reports, and other information techniques have been geared towards Another area where digital transformation can collated from MROs, airlines, general industry improving isolated processes, such as have a sizeable impact is MRO and the benchmarks, field representatives, and enhancing component design. aftermarket. Digital solutions are at the centre systems, aerospace companies can We can see this in practice when looking at of this, with the modern aircraft producing continuously optimise fleet maintenance the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has about upwards of half a terabyte of data per flight. procedures and reduce the time that any part 2.3 million parts that are manufactured on five Sifting through this information to uncover is out of action. continents, across 12 countries, in 135 partner useful, actionable intelligence is crucial, as By developing this ‘digital tapestry’ of locations. Changes in the manufacturing of a data-driven decision making, when applied to connections throughout the supply chain, with single element could have knock-on effects traditional maintenance procedures, drives insight across concept design, manufacturing, throughout the supply chain, so collaboration efficiencies, improving and even preventing operations and aftermarket care, tier one and real-time visibility across the entire costly operations as a result. suppliers can help their supply chains work network is paramount to ensuring smooth A practical example is seen in predicting better for them. The ‘connected aircraft’ of production. With the innovative connectivity maintenance requirements. Using data tomorrow will be an assembly of digital solutions available today, suppliers can predict transmitted from sensors throughout the innovations, fully integrated through future supply chain failures, identify where in aircraft systems and subsystems, in line with intelligent manufacturing and MRO supply the chain this is likely to happen, and pre-programmed safety parameters, chain networks; delivered faster and more implement appropriate preventative measures. maintenance crews can foresee the efficiently than ever before. n Inﬂight www.inﬂight-online.com

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