APEX/IFSA Awards return and highlight innovation
Judges on Monday, November 29 spent the day seeing entries from around the industry show their latest projects and developments as finalists in the APEX/IFSA Awards. The Awards were presented Wednesday night, December 1, by APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader.
This is the first year in several that judging of the finalists was done in person before the start of the APEX/IFSA Expo in Long Beach. Many of the entries were submitted in advance for judges to view online. This year’s finalist judging team was led by IFE Consultant Rich Salter of The Salter Group (as a member of the APEX Technology Committee). Judges were Brett Snyder of Cranky Flier; Patricia Wiseman of IFExpress; Stephanie Taylor, Senior Editor at SimpliFlying and Rick Lundstrom Editor-in-Chief of PAX International and PAX Tech.
The finalists were picked from a field of nine categories. Winners this year were:
United's Bluetooth cabin won for best IFE innovation
Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation winner: United Airlines
United Airlines’ Bluetooth audio by Panasonic installed on several of its narrow body aircraft.
WestJet's ZeroTouch™ program from Panasonic saves the airline time and money
Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation winner: WestJet
WestJet and its implementation of ZeroTouch™ from Panasonic Avionics. With the innovation, the airline managed its media content, passenger data and software saving weeks of labor hours and cutting media load times by 85 percent
Spirit Airlines won for best airport innovation
Best Airport Innovation winner: Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines with its self-bag drop off, which has been implemented at two airports
Spafax created a winner for Singapore Airlines' Priority magazine
Best Marketing Innovation winner: Spafax
The company worked with Singapore Airlines on a digital and print version of its Priority magazine for the airline’s premium passengers
SpiceJet claimed this year's Newcomer of the Year award
Newcomer of the year winner: SpiceJet
The airline has created a mobile app for cabin crew containing required documents and forms
GOJO Industries helped Delta keep a clean cabin this year
Best Product or Service winner: GOJO Industries
Delta Air Lines’ partnership with GOJO Industries to introduce Purell sanitizing products in the cabin
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Buzz teamed up with Disney to keep kids entertained on Singapore Airlines
IFSA Best Onboard Amenity winner: Buzz
The amenity supplier has created a wide range of Disney amenities and games for children of all ages
Best Cabin Innovation winner: Airbus
The company’s Airspace cabin from Airbus adds bin space, innovative lighting and larger windows to its narrowbody aircraft
IFSA Best Food and Beverage winner: Malaysia Airlines
Cool Treats Ice Cream, which can be eaten by hand. The product is also sold in retail stores around the country
Airline passengers also picked winners through the year using the Tripit by Concur app for best seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage entertainment and Wi-Fi.
Winners in the Passenger Choice Awards were:
Best Cabin Service winner: EVA Air
Best Seat Comfort winner: Qatar Airways
Best Food and Beverage winner: Qatar Airways
Best Entertainment Winner: Emirates
Best Wi-Fi winner: Delta Air Lines
