BreathEasy Mask To Debut At APEX | SmartSky | Panasonic Avionics & Singapore Airlines Announce Agreement | Other News
This week at APEX in California, we thought we would give our readers a peak at a product that would make their group experiences safer. And so, we contacted Web Barth, a long-time industry expert and asked him if we could provide a bit more information about a product that will make a trade show much safer – a face mask with some unique characteristics. The product that Web features is presently being used by flight crews and flight attendants on Jordanian, and other Middle Eastern airlines.We were curious to know more and asked Web to tell us a little bit about the patented masks he will introduce to our industry this week during APEX. Since we knew little about his product, Fine Guard Masks, we asked why his product has been developed for aviation: “Our particular brand the BreatheEasy Mask™ combines a very thin 99,9% protective material designed for athletes with the comfort of their conventional and popular ear loop design. This product is fully and patented with an international patent by a company called LIVINGUARD® of Switzerland, and as you might guess, I hunted for a product that would help anybody who flies on a plane!” We next had to ask how his masks differ from others available in today’s marketplace and he told IFExpress: “The reason being, the patented technology of the mask is a coating on the fibers of the fabric, which causes it to maintain a positive charge. Interestingly, this solution protects from any kind of airborne virus Covid, SARS, the flu, HIV, Delts Variant, Ebola, etc.“
IFExpress asked Web what different technology was featured in the BreathEasy and he told us: “Interestingly, this product is fully and patented on international patent by a company called LIVINGUARD® of Switzerland. My client has an exclusive manufacturing license with LILVINGUARD. We at VirExit have exclusive marketing and sales representation for all airlines and airports in the world. You can find Fine Guard masks available on Amazon today. They have sold about 10 million masks in 100 different countries.”
IFExpress thinks a popular airline model might be to give the mask complementary to First and Business-Class and sell it in coach. Lastly, we inquired if children could use his product, and he told us: “Yes, it is available in children’s sizes.”
After discussing this impressive COVID-19 safety product, we believe showing the product at APEX is a good idea, especially with the latest mutation, omicron, recently surfacing. Web mentioned that there could well be a mask for this week’s APEX attendees. Web can be found at APEX in Booth 526!
Editor’s Note: Web has over 35 years’ experience in developing 20+ new products and new companies. Some might remember Web from APEX 2004-2007 when as COO he developed the portable, in flight (DigEplayer). DigEcor sold 28 airlines worldwide, was chosen the “Best In Flight Entertainment System for 2004” and selected “Entrepreneurial Company of the Year” by Frost & Sullivan Research. Web holds a BS in Marketing and two master’s degrees (MS Marketing Management and an MBA).
Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases
SMARTSKY
SmartSky Networks, the next-generation air-to-ground connectivity provider, announced the launch of business operations for commercial regional airlines across the Continental United States (CONUS). Supported by SmartSky’s broad and growing network availability, publicly demonstrated high-performance service, and FAA certifications for a growing range of regional jet aircraft models, this launch signals an inflection point for domestic regional airline connectivity.
“We are ready to introduce our superior connectivity solution to regional airlines and provide best-in-class inflight connectivity for passengers,” says David Helfgott, CEO of SmartSky Networks. “The need for consistent, secure access to data and applications is constant, especially for regional passengers who are often traveling during the busy work week. As domestic travel returns to pre-Covid-19 levels, those who fly are increasingly frustrated by poor connectivity that is slow, unreliable and not secure.”
In the past year, SmartSky has achieved many technical and business milestones on-time, to-spec, and on-budget. SmartSky continues to deploy its ATG network – now covering over 65% of CONUS flight hours, has received FCC and FAA approvals, confirmation of Honeywell and Avionica as authorized Value-Added-Resellers, and has raised over $100M in funding from committed investors.
SmartSky continues to expand its network footprint and will complete 2021 with coverage activated for roughly 80% of CONUS flight routes on its way to FULL CONUS in the first half of 2022. With supplemental type certificates (STCs) covering more than 4,000 aircraft already in hand, including the popular ERJ 135/145 series, and performance over 10x better than currently available legacy ATG services, SmartSky is challenging the status quo for inflight connectivity and ready to deliver superior value to regional airlines looking to upgrade.
“All SmartSky products, systems and solutions have been built with technical integrity and excellence, working closely with the industry to provide the best combination of features and functionality. We are ready to bring these advancements to regional air travelers,” adds Helfgott.
SmartSky delivers a superior air-to-ground connectivity experience for regional airlines, with its patented beamforming technology and network architecture. The result is a very low-latency, high-bandwidth, and symmetrical data communications service capable of providing responsive Internet/data access for cloud-based business applications, secure encrypted communications, and support for the aviation community’s operational data and real-time telematics needs.
SmartSky’s products and services are available through a growing network of Value-Added-Reseller (VAR) and installation partners and includes three interrelated offerings: i) the best-in-class, next-generation Air-to-Ground network, ii) advanced shipset hardware for aircraft communications, and iii) a transformational digital platform and application-layer, Skytelligence®.
Visit SmartSky Networks at APEX EXPO booth #919.
PANASONIC
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) announced an agreement with Singapore Airlines that will provide a seamless and harmonized in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) experience across the airline’s widebody and narrowbody fleets.
Singapore Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics’ eX1 IFE solution for its new fleet of 37 Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The system features full-HD seatback monitors in both the Business Class and Economy Class, complete with capacitive touch screen displays and USB charging ports. Each Business Class seat’s IFE comes with an additional handset and in-seat power outlets.
Singapore Airlines has also selected global in-flight connectivity services from Panasonic Avionics which can deliver average speeds up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to the aircraft, with peak speeds reaching 200 Mbps and higher. The airline’s in-flight connectivity experience, powered by Panasonic Avionics’ global network of high-speed, high-bandwidth satellites will deliver a host of next-generation connectivity benefits, including fast internet and in-flight mobile phone services. This will enable the airline to meet the growing connectivity demand of travelers today and into the future.
The passenger experience made possible by these IFEC solutions also includes the company’s immersive 3D in-flight map platform, ArcTM. This visually stunning, in-flight map experience brings a wide range of innovations to the traditional map application, helping to increase overall customer engagement and loyalty made possible through a fully integrated IFE and connectivity system. The agreement with Singapore Airlines represents the first launch of Panasonic Avionics’ ArcTM map platform on the 737-8 platform.
Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “Our eX1 solution, connectivity and Arc map capabilities brings the full power and potential of in-flight entertainment and connectivity into the narrowbody cabin, and will ensure that Singapore Airlines can offer an amazing and consistent passenger experience across its fleet.”
This agreement with Singapore Airlines is the latest milestone in a 26-year partnership that has seen the carrier select Panasonic Avionics’ IFEC solutions for its widebody fleet. Earlier this year, the airline became the launch customer for Panasonic Avionics’ new Marketplace digital eCommerce platform.
OTHER NEWS
Here are some good links on daily commercial flight data from the Flight Aware folks:
The headset is the most critical part of any IFE system. It defines the quality of audio delivery and its look and feel defines the quality of the Airline. The headset is probably responsible for more passenger complaints, and IFE reliability issues than any other IFE component - so why do most airlines leave its procurement to the catering department?”