Electronic Bag Tag Program From Alaska | Farnborough Update | Norse Atlantic Airways Launches Flight Operation Solutions | Inmarsat & Flight Crowd Partnership | Vision-Box

Alaska Airlines Becomes First U.S. Airline to Launch Electronic Bag Tag Program

Alaska Airlines announced on Tuesday it’s poised to become the first U.S. airline to launch an electronic bag tag program later this year.

“This technology allows our guests to tag their own bags in just seconds and makes the entire check-in process almost all off-airport,” said Charu Jain, senior vice-president of merchandising and innovation for Alaska Airlines. “Not only will travelers with the devices be able to quickly drop-off their luggage, our electronic bag tags will help also reduce lines in our lobbies and give our employees the opportunity to spend more one-on-one time with guests who ask for assistance.”

The electronic bag tags will allow guests to skip the step of printing traditional bag tags upon arrival at the airport. Instead, guests will be able to activate the devices from anywhere — their home, office or car – up to 24-hours before their flight using the Alaska Airlines mobile app.

The activation is done by simply touching the phone used for check-in to the electronic bag tag, which has an antenna that powers and reads the information transmitted from the phone. The e-paper bag tag’s screen will then display the guest’s flight information.

Jain expects Alaska Airline’s electronic bag tag will reduce the time guests spend dropping-off checked luggage by 40%. For example, a guest flying through Alaska Airline’s tech hub at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, could drop off their luggage at the self-bag drop in three minutes or less.

“Alaska Airlines is the first U.S. airline to pioneer this innovative electronic bag tag program here at SJC,” said San José Mayor Sam Liccardo. “This program will modernize the check-in process and provide a more sustainable option for travelers.”

“Our electronic bag tags will not require batteries and are durable enough to potentially last a lifetime,” said Jain.

Rollout of the electronic bag tags will happen in several phases. The first phase will initially include 2,500 Alaska Airlines’ frequent fliers who will begin using the electronic bag tags in late 2022. Mileage Plan members will have the option to purchase the devices starting in early 2023.

Alaska Airlines is partnering with Dutch company BAGTAG on the electronic bag tag. The devices are equipped with durable screens that have been tested to withstand being run over a luggage cart and are affixed to baggage just like any other bag tag, using an industrial strength plastic zip tie.

“We are very proud to announce the first American carrier adopting our EBT solutions,” said BAGTAG managing director Jasper Quak. “Alaska Airlines’ relentless efforts to make their passenger journey a true 21^st-century experience makes us very confident in a successful rollout among their guests.”

Farnborough Update:

777 Partners Expands 737 MAX Fleet, Ordering Up To 66 More Fuel-Efficient Jets

Boeing and 777 Partners announced a new order and commitment for up to 66 737 MAX jets, including a firm order for 30 ultra-efficient, high-capacity 737-8-200s. This is the U.S. investment firm’s fifth order for the industry’s most fuel-efficient jet in its class, rapidly building its portfolio to as many as 134 737 MAXs since 2021. The two companies announced the order with a signing ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow.

777 Partners has used the 737 MAX to launch a number of low-cost carriers around the world, with more to follow. Currently, its investments include Flair Airlines, Canada’s only independent ultra-low-cost carrier, and Bonza Airline, an Australian start-up that will launch operations this year. The investment firm has earmarked the 737-8-200, which accommodates more than 200 passengers, to grow operations by increasing revenue potential while reducing carbon emissions, fuel consumption and operating costs.

“This new order marks another milestone in the robust growth of our aviation businesses and concurrently, our partnership with Boeing,” said Josh Wander, managing partner of 777 Partners. “We are excited about the possibilities the MAX aircraft provide our growing group of carriers to facilitate and democratize low-cost travel around the globe while respecting our commitment to sustainable flying.”

“777 Partners is leveraging the cost efficiencies of the 737-8 and 737-8-200 for its diverse network of airlines, while also providing an excellent passenger experience and meeting sustainability goals,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “777 Partners has had tremendous success establishing new carriers worldwide with the 737-8, and the 737-8-200 will allow for continued growth as an even more efficient addition to its portfolio.”

The 737 MAX delivers enhanced efficiency, improved environmental performance and increased passenger comfort to the single-aisle market. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and incorporating advanced technology winglets, the 737 MAX offers excellent economics. The airplane family reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to jets it replaces.

777 Partners is a Miami-based private investment firm that invests across a number of high growth attractive verticals. Founded in 2015, 777 Partners strategically invests across six broad industries: insurance; consumer and commercial finance; litigation finance; direct lending; sports, media and entertainment; and aviation. The firm seeks to acquire and build operating businesses that generate long-term, high quality predictable cash flows for its proprietary balance sheet, while consolidating operations across like businesses to create efficiencies and economies of scale. 777 Partners invests at all stages of the business cycle and targets companies accretive to its existing portfolio.

Bonza is Australia’s new, and only independent low-cost airline takes off in 2022*, enabling Australians to explore more of their own backyard, and at low-cost prices. Bonza’s initial route map includes 27 routes to 17 destinations. Ninety three per cent of Bonza routes are not currently served by any airline and ninety six percent not currently served by a low-cost carrier. The only place to book direct is on the FlyBonza App. *Subject to regulatory approval.

Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading low-fare and greenest airline. Flair’s mission is to democratize air travel for all Canadians providing affordable airfare that connects them to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 30 cities across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com.

Boeing and Qatar Airways Finalize Order for 25 737 MAX Airplanes

Boeing and Qatar Airways finalized an order for 25 737 MAX airplanes, providing the flag carrier’s short- and medium-haul fleet with improved economics, fuel efficiency and sustainable operations. Company leaders announced the order for the 737-10, Boeing’s largest and most efficient single-aisle jet, in a signing ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow.

“We are honored that Qatar Airways has decided to add Boeing’s single-aisle family to its fleet, deepening our relationship with this world-class airline,” said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. “The 737-10 is ideally suited for Qatar Airways’ regional network and will provide the carrier with the most capable, most fuel-efficient airplane in its class.”

Seating up to 230 passengers with a range of 3,300 nautical miles, the 737-10 is the largest airplane in the 737 MAX family, offering greater fuel efficiency and the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane in the industry. The jet can cover 99% of the world’s single-aisle routes.

In January, Boeing and Qatar Airways announced a Memorandum of Understanding for 737 MAX airplanes at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. In addition, the airline became the global launch customer for the new 777-8 Freighter, with an order for up to 50 freighters.

Qatar Airways operates more than 120 Boeing airplanes including 777 and 787 passenger jets along with 747 and 777 freighters.

A multi-award winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

easyJet Confirms Order For A Further 56 A320neo Family Aircraft

easyJet has confirmed a firm order for 56 A320neo Family aircraft following shareholder approval. The order is part of easyJet’s fleet renewal and up-gauging, cost and sustainability enhancements to the business. The agreement includes an upsizing of 18 A320neo to the larger A321neo model.

Kenton Jarvis, CFO for easyJet, said: “We believe this order will support positive returns for the business and the delivery of our strategic objectives. The new aircraft are aligned with easyJet’s sustainability strategy, with the adoption of the more efficient new technology aircraft being a core component of easyJet’s path to net zero emissions. Alongside this, the new aircraft are significantly quieter, with half the noise footprint of the older aircraft they are replacing.”

“easyJet has democratised flying for millions of travellers and we are delighted this latest agreement for 56 A320neo Family aircraft not only future proofs its growth as traffic rebounds, but also lays the foundations for its sustainability journey”, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

easyJet currently operates a fleet of over 300 A320 Family including the A319, A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo, making it the world’s largest airline operator of Airbus’ single aisle aircraft. easyJet serves over 130 European airports in some 31 countries operating over 1,000 routes.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 20 percent fuel saving. With more than 8,100 orders from more than 130

Norse Atlantic Airways Launches with Boeing Digital Flight Operations Solutions

Norse Atlantic Airways announced that it has selected several of Boeing’s digital solutions to streamline operations and increase flight deck efficiency as the new airline commences Transatlantic service this summer.

Norse will integrate the following solutions to support their new 787 fleet as part of a five-year agreement that covers the entire fleet:

• Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro
• Ground Controls and Tailored Maps
• Aviator / FliteBrief
• Onboard Performance Tool (OPT)
• Ops Data and FMS NavData

These digital tools enable flight crews to perform real-time weight and balance and takeoff and landing calculations that reduce maintenance costs, optimize payload capacity, and streamline cockpit operations. Jeppesen’s digital navigation chart services increase flight deck efficiency and integrate key aviation functions efficiently, in a self-service environment.

“We are very pleased to have selected Boeing’s digital solutions that will provide our operations department and flight crew with vital tools from initial flight planning to in-flight operations. The increase in efficiency these digital solutions provide will allow Norse Atlantic to increase on-time performance and maintain a low-cost base. The technology will also enable us to reach our goal of a fully paperless flightdeck environment,” said Thom-Arne Norheim, Norse Atlantic Airways Chief Operational Officer.

FliteDeck Pro is a mobile navigation application used by more than 80% of commercial pilots around the globe. The fleet agnostic app for tablet devices provides pilots with all the aeronautical maps, charts, manuals and documents needed for paperless flying.

This agreement builds on a previously-announced agreement with Norse as the launch customer for Boeing Mobile Logbook, as well as Software Distribution Manager and Maintenance Performance Toolbox. These solutions are part of Boeing’s extensive portfolio of digital maintenance management solutions that provide a simplified approach with accelerated results.

Norse Atlantic Airways offers affordable fares on long-haul flights, primarily between Europe and the United States. Norse has a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will serve destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Berlin and Paris. The company’s first flight took off from Oslo to New York on June 14, 2022.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Public Perceptions About Autonomous Aviation, Flying Taxis to Be Enhanced Through Inmarsat And Flight Crowd Partnership

Future flight technologies, such as all-electric and autonomous aircraft, hold the key to a more sustainable and innovative air transport industry. However, public perception of these marvels of engineering can be mixed due to concerns over safety, cybersecurity and environmental impact. With more than ten million commercial uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) predicted to be in flight by 2030, it is vital that the aviation industry improves public awareness and acceptance of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in order to truly unlock its transformational benefits.

A first-of-its-kind, global partnership between Inmarsat and Flight Crowd, announced at the Farnborough Airshow 2022 today, will improve engagement with both the industry and the general community through a series of collaborative outreach projects.

These projects – designed to inform, engage and inspire – aim to improve understanding of the air mobility sector for both the public, government and wider aviation industry. They will showcase the many benefits this new industry will bring and improve education around the impact it will have in the decades to come. The projects will reach enthusiasts, experts and the public, including in educational settings through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.

Bringing the extensive capabilities of UAM to the forefront of industry conversation, the partnership will highlight the importance of future flight technologies in supporting the vital mobility of people, goods and other services across regional, urban and underserved areas. Taking an international approach to project implementation, Inmarsat and Flight Crowd will bring resources, events and initiatives to communities worldwide and encourage them to have a voice in shaping the future flight industry.

Flight Crowd has joined Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Network, an ecosystem of leading companies that are pioneering new innovations to facilitate safe and secure Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations, helping the industry reach its full potential. The network utilises Inmarsat’s ground-breaking Velaris global connectivity solution, which was launched in 2021, and builds on the company’s vast expertise of more than 30 years in air traffic management communications. This experience will also be essential in providing contextualised learning for Flight Crowd’s projects and for instilling trust in the public.

Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat Aviation’s Senior Director of Advanced Air Mobility, said: “To ensure the adoption of Urban Air Mobility is carried out in a managed and sophisticated way, operators must not only have the backing of the industry, but also positive public acceptance. This simply will not be possible without an investment in education, which is exactly what this partnership aims to achieve. Sustained education programmes that reach communities outside of our sector are important and Inmarsat is proud to work with the experts at Flight Crowd to help realise this objective.”

Mariya Tarabanovska, Founder of Flight Crowd, said: “Inmarsat will be an unparalleled partner for our mission to strengthen the global community’s interest and support of electric and autonomous aviation. To help alleviate any public concerns, it is crucial to raise awareness of the operational benefits that Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility technologies offer. Flight Crowd is excited to combine our expertise to improve public perception and desirability of future flight with the global leader in communications and connectivity. This partnership will help us contribute to the safe and connected future of air mobility, while ensuring the ecosystem is built on transparency, diversity and inclusion. We look forward to working alongside Inmarsat to ensure a positive and transformative future for the industry.”

Vision-Box

Vision-Box, a global industry leader in biometrics seamless travel, automated border management and electronic identity management solutions, announced that its facial recognition technology was accredited as top-ranked at the US Department of Homeland Security’s MdTF Biometric Rally 2021 – an organization that evaluates state-of- the-art biometric identity verification systems for high throughput use cases. This proof of value validates that the algorithms are more effective in their performance than others. When excluding the acquisition errors, the Vision-Box engine delivered top performance across all capture devices.

The 2021 Biometric Technology Rally demonstrates the ability of biometric systems to reliably acquire and match images of diverse individuals across age, gender, race, and other characteristics, including those wearing face masks. Both acquisition systems and matching algorithms are evaluated as part of the Rally, and the data collected from the acquisition systems during scenario testing is used to assess the performance and interoperability with matching algorithms. For the first time, the 2021 Rally reported on the ability of commercial biometric systems to work reliably across demographic groups.

Vision-Box rose to the challenge, by developing its AC2.5 version engine for its facial recognition technology, which delivered an improved matching performance with masks when compared with the previous AC2.0 engine. The advanced AC2.5 engine helped Vision-Box secure to its top-tier performance at the MdTF Biometric Rally 2021. For more information

check out https://mdtf.org/Rally2021 and Vision-box alias Yampa.

Since the onset of the pandemic, biometric technology companies have been trying to solve the challenges of face masks obstructing facial recognition technologies and enabling seamless access. This was particularly important for Vision-Box, as the company was keen to reduce the risk for both public and frontline security checkpoint personnel by eliminating the need for travelers to remove face masks for biometric identification.

Speaking about the recognition, Miguel Leitmann, the CEO of Vision-Box said: “At Vision-Box, we are pleased with the recognition from the US Department of Homeland Security’s MdTF Biometric Rally. The validation is proof of our efforts to improve our algorithm in a real environment. The Vision-Box team will continue to push the boundaries to deliver seamless technologies for all our stakeholders.”

MdTF Biometric Rally 2021 and Vision-Box’s recent renewal of its Privacy by Design certification for Orchestra Digital Identity Management Platform support our solutions. Due to its state-of-the-art features and Privacy by Design certification, Orchestra is utilized by airlines, national border control agencies, and airports around the world.