Browsing Tag: APEX

Emirates Catering Facility in Dubai.

Emirates Catering Facility in Dubai.

While visiting Dubai recently, I had the opportunity to check out the Emirates Catering Facility. It is the largest catering facility in the world and very impressive. I was asked to write up a story for APEX Editor’s Blog and wanted to share the story with you as well…

DUBAI: Many people do not stop and think about the effort it takes for an airline to prepare multiple meals for long-haul flights; it is complex operation and just one of the many aspects that airlines need to concentrate on to be successful.

The largest airline catering facility in the world is the Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai. Each day, the 50,000 sq m facility produces 110,000 meal trays. It operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and employs 6,600 people.

Continue reading the the story on the APEX Editor’s Blog and also check out all 52 photos of the facility. 

This week, APEX Editor’s Blog, posted a great video highlighting the possible future of an airline cabin. Somethings are a bit radical (like every wall being an interactive screen), but others might be be realistic enough (like width changing seats). Either way, it is nice to see there are many smart people out there thinking about what the next generation of airliner might look like.

Watch the video above and check out the APEX blog for more information.

Two stories that I have come across this week that I really wanted to share:

Will Southwest Airlines be able to start flying international flights out of Houston? Image: John Murphy / Flickr

Will Southwest Airlines be able to start flying international flights out of Houston? Image: John Murphy / Flickr

Southwest and United Airlines Battle in Houston

The short of the story is that Southwest Airlines is looking to start flying internationally from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). United, which has a main hub out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) does not like this idea and is fighting to stop Southwest.

Southwest is pushing back hard with their website FreeHobbyAirport.com. They are asking locals to join in on the fight to start allowing international flights from HOU. The site is a bit salesy stating that Southwest just wants to help the people of Houston, but I am sure profit is a factor in there as well.

I am a firm believer in competition. If there is the space and demand, let’s allow Southwest to fly internationally. It will only cause United and other airlines to step up their game.

Although, if I was United Airlines, I would probably also be trying to slow down Southwest’s progress.

Read more about this story on Brett Snyder’s CrankyFlier.com.

A group from Aviation Geek Fest pose in front of a 777 GE90 engine on the Boeing factory floor. Photo by Boeing.

A group from Aviation Geek Fest pose in front of a 777 GE90 engine on the Boeing factory floor. Photo by Boeing.

Be Proud to Be an AvGeek

Paul Thompson, who is an airline veteran and self-proclaimed AvGeek, recently wrote a story on APEX on his perspective on being an aviation lover and his experience with Aviation Geek Fest 2012.

One should not be embarrassed loving aviation and airlines. There are many of us out there and having events like Aviation Geek Fest allows us the opportunity to get together and share our passion. I had no idea how many AvGeeks were out there until I started this blog almost three years ago, but so happy to see so many that share my passion for airlines.

That's me before boarding ANA's second 787 Dreamliner for my excursion flight.

That's me before boarding ANA's second 787 Dreamliner for my excursion flight.

As previously posted, I recently was lucky enough to be able to make a trip over to Tokyo, Japan to fly on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the first time. I was asked by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) to write about my experience. Since the story is quite a bit different from the story I posted on the blog I wanted to share…

TAKE A LOOK AT MY BOEING 787 DREAMLINER FLIGHT STORY ON APEX

Are you going to be in the Seattle area this weekend? Do you want to get together with other aviation geeks and professionals? Then you need to come to our special Aviation Geek Tweet Up at the Future of Flight this Sunday on September 11th, starting at 2pm (we are using the hashtag #SEAvGeek)

VIRGIN AMERICA IS GIVING TWO FREE ROUND TRIP TICKETS AND OTHER FUN STUFF THAT YOU CAN WIN!

There is no cost to join in. We will be meeting at the Future of Flight to talk aviation and there are quite a few cool folks in town for the Airline Interiors Expo and APEX, so you never know who you might run into.

So what is a Aviation Geek Tweet Up? It is where people on Twitter get together to talk about their passion — aviation. If you do not have a Twitter account, it is easy to get one and I can even show you how at the event, if you want.

Sign up now and join in on the fun!

More details are coming soon.
This TweetUp is being organized by AirlineReporter, Simpliflying and the Future of Flight