Examining the new at AIX18 – Innovation is key. Also being prepared
- Other airports exist other than Heathrow
- Did I mention I hate suitcases? Off to Birmingham Airport
- FlyBe BE7109 Birmingham to Hamburg
- Into Hamburg
- The IBIS Budget St Pauli
- Aircraft Interiors Expo – A look back at the coverage
- The Crystal Cabin Awards 2018
- Back to Hamburg Airport
- FlyBe BE7110 Hamburg to Birmingham
- Home James
- Innovation is key. Also being prepared
As usual Aircraft Interiors Expo proved that innovation is alive and well in the aircraft interiors industry – even if in some cases, it’s cramming more people into the cabin than ever before. There’s a lot of brand new seats that should make life a lot more bearable in the back of the plane, as well as some interesting technologies coming up in the pipeline.
And I’m excited to see them in the cabin.
However, being prepared is also key. I luckily got myself out of a bind – with my luggage breaking on me. That suitcase has been long since binned (it was left behind in Hamburg), and once again – the old Etnies bag I used saved the day. Alas – that bag has seen a lot better days.
And by a lot better days – I mean it’s pretty much had it. I’m looking for the “right” replacement – and I might have something in the pipeline on that soon (Although finding a rucksack with a its own dry zone that can hold a laptop and half the crap I travel with is a challenge in itself
For now, let’s look back the experiences
Birmingham Airport: I’ve grown to deal with my local hub and its own peculiarities. Certainly, the experience of departing and arriving from the airport is improving – even if the handling agents love to take their time loading the plane
FlyBe provided an average experience going through two flights. Whilst the seating isn’t great, it provided an adequate point-to-point service.
Hamburg Airport provided a superb experience, with high speed internet, adequate bussing, fast customs services as well as a reasonable airport experience. It’s one of the nicer “smaller” airports I fly in and out of. A shame that FlyBe can’t be bothered to set up on-line check-in for its outstations…
The IBIS Budget continues to give a fair customer experience, with easy access to the Messe. Whilst the rooms are basic, and the internet connectivity isn’t the best, sometimes – all that is needed after a long day pounding the halls of an exhibition hall.
The Crystal Cabin Awards was an interesting insight into “what’s next” in the industry – and there is some exciting concepts coming through the line – some of which are flying today.
I’m also going to extended a thank you at this point to those who helped this trip report happen:
- Penbroke and Rye
- Marisa of FlightChic
- RunwayGirl Network
- APEX Media
- The exhibitors who kindly granted me access to their stands.
And that’s it from “Exploring The New“. Hopefully it will have given you a little insight in what to expect in the coming year in passenger experience, seats and connectivity… as well as a few other sides to an aircraft we don’t cover every day.
However, the trip report machine doesn’t stop at Economy Class and Beyond as we continue the short-haul writing spree.
STARTING NEXT WEEK: Another trip report is being started… and this time this is pure pleasure over business – as I head to Lisbon and the Eurovision Song Contest in “Europe: Start voting now! To Eurovision 2018 (Lisbon) with Brussels Airlines, Comboios de Portugal (train) and Ryanair”
And yes – there are more than a few surprises in this.
Until then – thank you for reading!
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