APEX/IFSA award winners celebrated in Long Beach
JetBlue was a winner in the Food and Beverage category for is meal ordering system. Airline employees are shown here with model Tyra Banks, second from left.
Judges on Monday, October 24 spent the day seeing finalists from around the industry show their latest projects and developments as finalists in the APEX/IFSA Awards. The Awards were presented Wednesday night, October 26, by APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader with the help of model Tyra Banks and Runway Girl Founder Mary Kirby
This is the second year in several that judging of the finalists was done in person before the start of the APEX/IFSA Expo in Long Beach. 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 Dirk Singer Research Director at SimpliFlying , Satu Dahl Editor of Inflight Portfolio Rick Lundstrom Editor-in-Chief of PAX International and PAX Tech.
Fiji Airways also won for amenity kits for its children's line Our Ocean, Our Life
The finalists were picked from a field of seven categories. Winners this year were:
Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation winner: Burrna
Burrana’s RISE Power feature claimed the top prize among three finalists. RISE power offers USB-A and USB-C charging up to 15 watts and USB-C power delivery up to 60 watts.
Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation winner: Astronics
The company won for its Astronics CSA: Cabin AXe wireless access point. Axe is the first commercially available Wi-Fi 6E enabled product for commercial aircraft wireless environments. The CabinAXe creates a more compelling onboard connected wireless experience by utilizing increased spectrum for higher throughput enabled by Wi-Fi 6E.
Best Marketing Innovation winner: Thales and Diehl Aerospace
The companies developed the “In Cabin Experience Enhancer” (ICEE). With the ICEE, cabin surfaces such as partitions, luggage compartments and walls can be used as projection surfaces for branding, advertising and up-to-date information. Current information on the flight route and flight destination is communicated as well as specific offers on site
Best Product or Service winner: Virgin Atlantic Airways
The Booth on the airline’s A350s has two 27-inch touch screen monitors. The content of the monitors is continuously updated, tailored to the route and time of day. Initial content will include a digital art gallery featuring up and coming artists and a tail and belly cam of the aircraft.
IFSA Best Onboard Amenity winner: Delta Air Lines and Fiji Airways
The airline’s collaboration with Someone Somewhere from the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Michoacán, artisans keep alive regional style of weaving that produces the vibrant, instantly recognizable textile patterns of their homeland. The kits include sustainable products like an eye mask, Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, and Grown Alchemist lip balm and lotion.
Fiji Airways has developed a line of kits called Our Ocean, Our Life featuring books, puzzles and toys crafted around a half dozen ocean characters and packed in small backpack.
Best Cabin Innovation winner: Finnair
The airline’s elevated long-haul experience has a features the Collins Aerospace AirLounge seat, Nordic dining options and updated inflight entertainment.
IFSA Best Food and Beverage winner: Thales and JetBlue Airways
The airline’s customizable meal ordering process is at work on the carrier’s routes to London.
