#PaxEx Podcast

In this episode, we look at how startup company AeroPatent and Philip in particular have been the focus of a number of magazine profiles because his patent discoveries have inspired countless news stories about #PaxEx technologies and other aviation innovations for which companies are seeking to protect IP.

Indeed, hundreds of patents are publishing every month across technology sectors from gas turbine engine systems, flight deck and avionics systems through to passenger experience and manufacturing processes. "It is not to say that all of these will be commercialized and make it into the air but they do offer a practical way to monitor the likes of what is going on behind closed doors that you know Airbus and Boeing and B/E Aerospace and Zodiac [are considering]," explains Philip, whose service is, quite literally, driving some of the news about these innovations.

Next, Boeing is among the companies regularly submitting patent applications for the Boeing 787 and other aircraft types. Now that the 787 has been in operation for a number of years, Philip divulges the latest patents for the 787, as well as other exciting patents for Boeing's full portfolio of aircraft. "Looking at the 787 specifically, the type of patent applications that are publishing that are most relevant to that platform would be in the area of manufacturing processes. Ways in which behind closed doors in the factory they can increase output and reduce the cost of output," says Philip. Co-host Max Flight also shares his recent experience visiting at the Boeing Dreamliner Gallery, and we discuss why the Dreamliner has been less than dreamy from a passenger comfort perspective.

Last but not least, the Aircraft Interiors Expo was held earlier this month, and co-host Mary Kirby joined the Runway Girl Network team in Hamburg to cover the show from top to bottom. She discusses the evolutionary changes happening in the onboard #PaxEx space.

Cynthia has penned a piece for Conde Naste Traveler about Singapore Airlines’ new Airbus A350-900, after experiencing it for herself on a flight from the Airbus factory in Toulouse to Singapore. In this episode, co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talk to Cynthia about the and why both passengers and crew have reason to celebrate the innovations that will affect their health and well-being.

While we talk a lot about hard product on Runway Girl Network - whether seats are comfortable or connectivity is working well - soft product like amenity kits, pajamas, “borrowed” salt & pepper shakers, and other souvenirs can prove to be important even after a flight. Cynthia reveals details about her favorite soft products, and sings the joys of their post-flight relevance.

Last but not least, the month of March is Women’s History Month, and we recently celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March. But while airlines around the world marked the occasion with all-women crewed flights, there is still much work to be done to ensure women gain parity in the ranks of management, including in the C-Suite and on airline boards. Max, Mary and Cynthia discuss the current paradigm and why change is important.

There is an underpinning of excitement around the world about the introduction of the new Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo narrowbodies, whose added range will allow airlines to open up a raft of new routes. "You basically have a more efficient airplane that allows airlines to do on the shorthaul what the 787 has been doing on the longhaul," says Miller, citing, for example, Norwegian's plans to transform the Atlantic with a fleet of 737 MAXs. Naturally, co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby also talk to Mike about how #PaxEx should change when airlines deploy 737 MAXs and A320neos on international routes.

Even as international routes are being opened up with new types, the US regional aviation industry is in crisis right now. This is squarely a result of the pilot shortage, suggests. He concedes that there are pockets of hope - as start-ups like GLO and Boutique Air carve our local air service niches - but says these do not regional airline renaissance. We mull the current state of play for regionals.

Meanwhile, there is some good news on the #PaxEx front for travelers in the US. American Airlines and United Airlines are reintroducing complementary snacks, joining Delta, which has long distributed free Biscoff cookies to hungry domestic passengers. But do these small #PaxEx touches really matter to passengers. We talk turkey about the changes; and consider the next #PaxEx battleground for airlines.

Virtual Reality headsets are making a big splash at International CES in Las Vegas, with the likes of Sony, Samsung, HTC and FaceBook’s Oculus Rift jockeying for headlines this week. VR is already in use for training purposes in aerospace, and indeed airline passengers will ultimately try to escape reality – perhaps particularly in super-snug economy class – with their own VR headsets, but will airlines adopt the devices as inflight entertainment? And how might they support VR-wearing passengers with great content? Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby ask Scott about the white paper he penned on this very topic. He provides some powerful commentary about the use case for VR in aviation.

Next, the Internet of Things is another major theme at CES, with production models of smart cars, smart home appliances and smart lights attracting lots of attention. We’ve talked a bit about how IoT will impact aviation in the past. But Scott, whose company is in the business of connecting aircraft – and ultimately streaming information from aircraft systems over those broadband pipes – has unique insight into the likely applications for IoT in the aircraft environment. And he addresses both the safety and security concerns associated with connecting aircraft from nose to tail.

Last but not least, we take the opportunity to ask Scott about his “must have” gadgets when traveling, and which brand new devices spark his interest. He explains why this year’s CES is generally more evolutionary than revolutionary.

SITA has made a number of interesting findings around its 'passenger persona' work, learning that the majority of travelers identify as "careful planners" who book early, do plenty of research, double-check itineraries and work very hard to avoid problems during the travel experience. But other groups have emerged, including "independent and hyper-connected" "pampered" and "opened minded adventurers". Nigel explains why understanding passenger personas is key as mobile and airport self-service technology evolves.

Speaking of a move to self-service, SITA has acquired an innovative firm called Type22, which we’ve profiled on Runway Girl Network and which SITA believes will position it to become the bag drop technology leader. Nigel tells us what Type22 brings to the table, and why the success of of any bag drop technology is very much around making the system usable for all types of passengers and to better inform passengers about the state of their bags.

And last but not least, Netherlands’ Schiphol Airport plans to test a new robot named Spencer, which has been developed to help passengers find their way around the airport. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talks to Nigel about the role for robots in the airport of the future, particularly when it comes to assisting people, and even moving baggage around.

But are we getting to a point where passengers won't be able to interact with humans in the future? SITA's studies have found that people are receptive to doing things themselves when they have the technology in their palm. "We're at a tipping point," he suggests, where "people are giving up interacting with agents to do it themselves on their mobile phones".

Tragedy has struck again in aviation, with the Metrojet A321 crash in northern Sinai killing all 224 on board. Anthony, who has closely tracked developments, shares his thoughts on why there is "a lot of distance between this tragedy and the facts at the moment and it's obviously quite a political race here as to who wants to be first with the information". Indeed, there has been a steady flow of contradictory statements from Russian, Egyptian and Metrojet officials, and an apparently relaxed approach to the physical handling of the flight data recorder and even Metrojet management's attire at press briefings. Anthony also shares some important info about the security situation at Sharm el Sheikh.

Next, it’s clear that the ultra low cost carriers are giving legacies a run for their money with American announcing recently that it will offer more fare options to compete with Spirit Airlines’ pricing. People are clearly booking with carriers that offer less than ideal #PaxEx. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talk to Anthony about whether passengers really care about the experience or if it is just about a cheap ride. Regular listeners of the podcast might be surprised at Anthony's perspective (he doesn't buy into the notion that an extra half-inch of seat width matters).

Last but not least, we ask Anthony about an area of particular speciality – the Red Carpet Route between London and Los Angeles. Seven airlines are working the same track, and he shares some colour on how they're differentiating. We ultimately address Open Skies and the US3 versus M3 debate, and Anthony shares why he believes "American carriers can't handle the competition".

Southwest Airlines is the latest in a growing list of publicly traded companies appearing to stretch the truth in their comments to the press about #PaxEx improvements. The carrier recently revealed a new seat for its new 737NGs and 737 MAXs but the seat doesn’t seem to live up to prior claims about being wider. John has observed this story play out since the initial announcement at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. He explains why he's very concerned over Southwest's obfuscation. Southwest is not alone in its PR shenanigans. During the recent APEX Expo in Portland, Oregon, defense contractor BAE Systems also played loose with its message to press. Co-host Mary Kirby details what transpired when BAE made the claim that it had received clearance from two Hollywood studios - including one of the 'big six' major studios - to stream early window movie content to passengers' own devices. Are we in new media territory, where corporations are not held to their word by the press?

Next, it would be hard not to miss the recent news that Airbus has filed a patent for a ‘flying bunk bed’; in fact virtually every major media title has covered the story. But this application follows a long litany of wacky patent applications for aircraft seats. In this episode, we discuss the viability of the design, how the patent process is being used for publicity, and how Airbus' application is in fact part of a broader Intellectual Property strategy being pursued by aircraft airframers and seatmakers. John also makes the case for why the click-bait articles about these patent applications are creating a harmful narrative that feeds into the notion that airlines and airframers don't care about economy class passengers.

And last but not least, we’d like to talk to John about his recent trip to Iceland, where he uncovered a compelling story about how Icelandair is using sensors and connectivity to put itself on the forefront of weather forecasting. We look at how the IoT of aviation is actually becoming a reality. And John shares a report about his overall travel experience in the gorgeous country of Iceland.

Safety is the most important part of the airline passenger experience; everything else is secondary. That's why everyone should be alarmed at the US
US Federal Aviation Administration's revelation that it has tracked a significant increase in aircraft laser-pointer incidents, and that pilots are reporting many more sightings of drones near airports. Guest Christine Negroni shares her thoughts on how the FAA should react to these threats, and why it's so important to enact change to ensure passenger and crew safety.

Next, as airlines cram more seats into aircraft, new health and safety concerns are being flagged by some industry stakeholders and media. For instance, the Airbus A320 family of planes the Space-Flex v2 lavatory/galley option being developed in partnership with Zodiac features a modular lavatory that has prompted an airline to ask whether it can truly accommodate passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) and popular Plane Talking reporter Ben Sandilands to ask whether passengers will have room to, gulp, wipe their bottoms. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby explore how the seat squeeze is affecting #PaxEx beyond the seat.

Last but not least, we take the opportunity to talk to Christine about her forthcoming book, "Lost and Confounded: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Crashes from the Hawaii Clipper to Malaysia 370", which will be published by Penguin Books in 2016. She tells us about what inspired her to get typing, and why she believes the MH370 tragedy is less of an anomaly than many people think.

Aircraft interiors - and the vital role they play in shaping the passenger experience (#paxex) - have frequented the headlines of late. British Airways, for instance, has announced that it is installing a first class cabin on its Boeing 787-9 – an indication that the airline continues to see first class as a linchpin of its future longhaul fleet. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talk to John about the bells and whistles of this particular first class product, and why BA intends to offer first on the 787-9 at a time when so many carriers are removing this class of service. We also discuss whether it makes sense for BA to add inflight connectivity to the aged Boeing 747s that are earmarked for a makeover which will see them through their end of life.

Next, Airbus recently revealed that it is working on a new interior for the A350 XWB that will enable the airframer to offer 10-abreast seating in economy class with seats just shy of 17 inches wide. But in a recent interview Airbus revealed that no airlines have picked this configuration yet. We talk about why some travelers are breathing a sigh of relief.

And last but not least, chat with John about some of United Airlines’ recent #PaxEx improvements, namely its decision to personalize the travel experience with crew tablets, and the changes it is making to its soft product. John explains why he believes United is putting "lipstick on a pig" by gussying up its soft product to distract from its less-than-optimal hard seating product.

During a summit this week in Brussels, SITA released its annual Airline IT Trends Survey, and with it some compelling details about how airlines are investing in passenger personalization now that some 83% of passengers travel with a smartphone and 15% travel with at least three personal electronic devices. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talk to guest Nigel Pickford about how airlines are “tailoring the trip” for passengers, including in the way they sell ancillary products such as seat upgrades or travel services. Wearables will be a key focus going forward. "It's at very early stages," notes Pickford, "albeit though with the Apple Watch being launched, this will actually drive, I expect, significant development activity on the watch (Geneva Airport, for instance, already has an app being showcased by Apple on its website)."

But should we be concerned about privacy as personalization takes hold? "My take on this is personalization should be a personal choice so if somebody wants the airline to provide them with information or services at certain points in the journey, then they have to give consent to share any details about themselves for airlines to do that," says Pickford.

Next, we know that airlines are investing in different ways to ease anxiety at various touchpoints in the passenger experience. SITA conducted an assessment on emotions as part of a recent passenger trends survey, and discovered that passengers are "more happy with their dwell time at the airport - that time after they've passed through passport control and security while waiting for the flight. We talk to Pickford about when and where anxiety is the most acute for passengers, and whether the rise in self-service activities at the airport (check-in, bag drop) is a win-win situation for industry and passengers in this regard.

Last but not least, the air transport industry has shown a real interest in the Internet of Things (IoT), and some 37% of airlines have already allocated budget towards leveraging this phenomena. Doing so is fraught was challenges, however, as there are myriad disparate systems, and a reluctance to share meaningful data, even among some alliance partners. We talk to Pickford about how airlines and airports struggle to manage the data they already have, and consider the complexities of marching into this brave, new IoT world.

You’ve no doubt heard about the claims made in an FBI report that suggest security researcher Chris Roberts hacked an IFE system, gained access to engine controls and issued a climb command resulting in a sideways movement of the aircraft. While Boeing and IFE experts have hit back at these claims the Roberts saga has ignited a much-needed conversation about aircraft system security. In this episode, we weigh the arguments being made by both sides, highlight the areas of vulnerability that regulators and industry insiders have focused their efforts on and consider whether industry should offer bug bounties to white hat hackers to improve upon system security. And we address the very latest development - security specialists are calling for airlines to turn off all IFE until their concerns are satiated.

Next, we talk to Dominic about his firm's decision to develop airline-branded wireless and portable IFE solutions, and engage passengers on a whole new level by "packaging an experience" that includes different content, activities and services that can be supported by sponsorships and promotions. The hardware agnostic software can support e-commerce platforms, allowing passengers to book destination related tours or concerts, for instance.

And last but not least, we chat with Dominic about the upcoming Passenger Choice Awards, which invites air travelers from around the world to rate their recent inflight experiences. The Airline Passenger Experience Association hosts the awards every year. Dominic explains why it makes sense for passengers to exercise their voice and fill out this quick survey.

During this week's Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Airbus finally revealed its vision for an 11-abreast A380, with a 3-5-4 configuration that raised eyebrows not because of that "middle seat of the five", but because of the living space afforded to passengers in the window seat. Seth explains what he learned about Airbus' densification program for the double-decker aircraft during the show. Gulp.

Next, Southwest Airlines this week revealed plans to offer the widest seat of any 737 operated in the US when it takes delivery of its Boeing 737 MAX. But while the carrier boasted about the launch of this 17.8-inch wide seat in reports - and seatmaker B/E Aerospace was said to be showing the seat at AIX - journalists ran into difficulty when seeking more granular detail and a look-see. We know that the carrier has at least slimmed the armrests to fiddle the seat numbers, but in remaining vague on details, is it fiddling with the media as well?

Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, B/E adopted a closed-door approach to the press, shutting out journalists from its booth with a rude and dismissive tone, and refusing to grant interviews about its portfolio of products for much of the week. On the final day of the show - after being called out for its lack of transparency on social media, and in the face of a significant push from the Hamburg Aviation group - B/E allowed journalists past the barriers for a guided tour. In this episode, we consider why a publicly traded aircraft interiors company would see fit to adopt such a strategy at a trade show that is open to the public, and at a time in history when its products are having a significant impact on the passenger experience. B/E CEO Werner Lieberherr assured that the company would do things differently next year.

Last but not least, we'd be remiss not to discuss the profound impact that inflight connectivity is having on aviation. From nose to tail, in the flight deck and in the cabin, connectivity is changing the game. The excitement about connectivity was palpable at AIX. We discuss why this year is a watershed moment for the industry.

The aviation industry is grappling with another tragedy, the crash of a Germanwings Airbus A320 in the French Alps. Audio from the cockpit voice recorder indicates that the captain was locked out of the cockpit, and couldn’t get back in, though the flight data recorder has yet to be found. This crash – and the fact that sourcing information from the physical black boxes is crucial to understanding what happened in any accident - has reignited the conversation over whether aircraft should stream some level of black box data in real-time, and whether there should be video cameras in the cockpit. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby talk about why the chorus of voices calling for change is growing louder, and explain why black box streaming is relative to #PaxEx.

Next, Neelam has been writing a series of articles for Runway Girl Network about India’s efforts to attract women to aviation. She tells us why SpiceJet and other carriers are in a hiring push, and how they're getting the word out via social media. She notes that women from all walks of life - not just the "elite" daughters of Indian pilots - are increasingly drawn to this profession in her country.

Last but not least, Neelam draws on her deep knowledge of the Indian aviation scene to bring us up to speed on how Indian manufacturers are growing their footprint in the aerospace supply chain in partnership with Airbus and Boeing. We also consider the opportunities for Indian firms to ultimately break into the highly regulated #PaxEx market.

It would have been difficult to miss the recent dust up between Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson and Gulf carriers. Anderson claims Emirates, Ethiad Airways and Qatar Airways enjoy an unfair competitive advantage over US carriers in the form of government subsidies. And Gulf carriers have hit back, saying US carriers have been able to restructure their costs under the USA’s liberal Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. But the row begs broader questions. Co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby discuss whether US carriers can compete with Gulf carriers in terms of product, and overall #PaxEx, and whether the restructuring of labor costs under Chapter 11 has, somewhat ironically, put US operators at a competitive disadvantage in terms of customer service.

Now that more and more aircraft are “e-enabled”, the FAA has announced plans to establish an industry working group to tackle cyber security concerns. While it seems inexplicable that the FAA has waited until 2015 to launch this initiative, Max, Mary and Michael agree that it's 'better late than never'. They talk about what the FAA hopes to gain, and Michael shares his knowledge about the challenges airlines face in keeping the bad guys at bay as they move forward in the digital space.

Last but not least, Indian start-up Vistara has announced plans to “beam IFE directly to passengers’ devices”. Michael, an expert in the field of wireless IFE, tells us why these sorts of solutions are gaining traction, and he answers the multi-billion dollar question - will wireless ultimately replace embedded IFE systems?

In this episode, co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby discuss why the comfort factor is being called into question on the Boeing 787, despite all of the new design aircraft's passenger-pleasing attributes. Having led development of world-class cabin interiors and cabin systems for the Airbus A350 XWB, Jon shares his first-hand knowledge of the compromises that all airframers must make when developing new aircraft. We also talk about how some passengers are now actively booking flights based on aircraft type, and highlight the benefits of true premium economy products.

Next, AirAsia X is exploring a bed-like product for economy class by selling empty seats. Is this an economically viable option for the carrier, and what challenges would this pose to distribution? We discuss the possibilities with Jon, and consider whether there is a growing market for these types of products in the face of cramped conditions in economy class.

Last but not least, we talk to Jon about some exciting developments at Lumexis, whose fiber optics-based IFE system will become the first new IFE solution offered by Boeing in 15 years when it is made linefit offerable on the 737 this year. Jon highlights some of the positive features of this high def system including the fact that passengers get to enjoy the legroom afforded to them. He also shares his thoughts on whether embedded systems will survive a BYOD and wireless world; and talks about why the presence of inflight connectivity hasn't hurt IFE business.

In this episode, co-hosts Max Flight and Mary Kirby learn about David's passenger experience aboard the brand new Qatar Airways Airbus A380; he tells us that small touches can make a big difference to #PaxEx. We also discuss the forthcoming Qatar A350 delivery; this is the very first delivery of this type, and journalists from all over the world are preparing to descend on Toulouse next week to witness this memorable occasion.

Next, the industry has been buzzing about Korean Air’s “nutgate” saga, where a Korean Air VP responsible for cabin service went nuts on flight crew after receiving macadamia nuts in a bag instead of a dish. We discuss the fall-out to Korean Air, and consider the very high expectations of today's premium traveler.

Last but not least, we get the low-down from David about Aviation Geek Fest 2015. This event draws hundreds of AvGeeks to Seattle each year, and sells out online in three minutes! Mark your calendars and get ready for some fast finger action; the next Aviation geek Fest in February is sure to be spectacular.

In this episode, co-host Max Flight and I discuss AT&T's recent surprise decision not to launch a 4G LTE inflight connectivity service in the United States. We consider what this means for passengers, and the incumbent provider of air-ground Internet, Gogo.

We also talk about why Hamburg and major industry stakeholders - Airbus, Lufthansa Technik and others - are constructing one of the most modern civil aviation research facilities in the world. Maryann, who is based in Hamburg and recently attended a roof-topping ceremony for the facility, reveals details about the plans for this new so-called "Zal" center. And we consider how the city of Hamburg is putting its flag in the sand when it comes to the aircraft interiors sector.

Last but not least, we discuss online travel agent Expedia's new partnership with Routehappy, which will allow passengers to see how individual flights are rated by Routehappy in their searches on Expedia. Routehappy rates flights based on various factors, , including seat pitch and width, and whether entertainment, in-seat power and connectivity is offered. This dynamite combination will bring a new level of visibility about airline product to passengers, resulting in a more positive #PaxEx.

In this episode, co-host Max Flight and I discuss how airports are increasingly adopting solutions that allow passengers to check-in their own baggage. Seth got a chance to see the very latest queue-busting technologies at the recent Future Travel Experience exhibition in Las Vegas. He reports about what he discovered from the show floor, and we consider the implications of moving away from real live interactions with people to a fully automated environment.

We also chat about how airlines increasingly view connected aircraft as a node on their network. But United Airlines, in particular, has taken a somewhat unique approach. The company has adopted no fewer than three different inflight Wi-Fi solutions and is considered by some stakeholders to be on the bleeding edge of integrating the different products in a bid to provide consistent service to passengers while driving operational benefits for the airline.

Finally, we also highlight another interesting development in the #PaxEx world. We're finally starting to see some real-world applications for using wearable technologies on board aircraft. Coupled with airlines' e-enablement efforts, these solutions may initially give flight crew a hands-free way to perform routine tasks, but could eventually be paired pilots and mechanics to further enhance efficiencies.

In this episode we discuss how Delta, American, JetBlue, United, Southwest and Alaska are battling head-to-head to deliver the best inflight entertainment (IFE) in US skies, and how this competition is both good news for passengers and a solid business strategy for the airlines. We also reveal which media site attracts the most traffic in-flight when broadband connectivity is available to passengers.

We also receive an in-depth update from Ryan about the adoption of "common-use" check-in space at airports, and chat specifically about Halifax Stanfield’s new program and how it was facilitated by a conference platform that prompts attendees to think outside the box.

Last but not least, a really important development has occurred in the world of IFE. Emirates has become the first airline to offer IFE for the visually impaired. We discuss what Emirates has done, highlight Air Canada's innovation on the 787, and learn whether other carriers are following suit. Plus we consider this achievement in the broader context of improving accessibility of IFE and aural announcements for all, including the deaf and hard of hearing.

In this episode, we look at some of the biggest #PaxEx headlines to emerge from the Farnborough air show. We discuss Boeing's decision to offer a higher-capacity narrowbody with the 200-seat 737 MAX 8 option, a move that is sure to please Ryanair's Michael O'Leary, but perhaps less so Airbus, which previously announced it will re-certify the A320 to accommodate nine more seats for a total of 189. We look at how all airframers are cramming more slim seats into their aircraft to meet airline demand, and why this trend shows no sign of stopping.

We also chat about Embraer's newly unveiled E-Jets E2 cabin, which boasts an ultra-modern interior bursting with fresh ideas from Embraer's design partner, Priestmangoode. But this cabin is significant in other ways, namely for the fact that Embraer is taking 'ownership' of it to ensure it doesn't face delivery issues due to constraints in the interiors supply chain. The constraints were highlighted by aircraft leasing giant Steven Udvar-Hazy earlier this year, and are being felt by A380 customers.

Last but not least, we talk to Isaac about the delivery of the first Boeing 787-9 to Air New Zealand, and what passengers can expect in-flight. And we learn that Air New Zealand was not happy about the economy class seats on offer in the 787 catalog, so it customized Zodiac seats by adding recline to the takeoff and landing position. In doing so, the carrier became the first airline to provide a 'buyer furnished equipment' seat on the 787.