Episode 023: Aircraft Seat Shenanigans Feature at AIX - a podcast by Runway Girl Network

During this week's Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Airbus finally revealed its vision for an 11-abreast A380, with a 3-5-4 configuration that raised eyebrows not because of that "middle seat of the five", but because of the living space afforded to passengers in the window seat. Seth explains what he learned about Airbus' densification program for the double-decker aircraft during the show. Gulp.

Next, Southwest Airlines this week revealed plans to offer the widest seat of any 737 operated in the US when it takes delivery of its Boeing 737 MAX. But while the carrier boasted about the launch of this 17.8-inch wide seat in reports - and seatmaker B/E Aerospace was said to be showing the seat at AIX - journalists ran into difficulty when seeking more granular detail and a look-see. We know that the carrier has at least slimmed the armrests to fiddle the seat numbers, but in remaining vague on details, is it fiddling with the media as well?

Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, B/E adopted a closed-door approach to the press, shutting out journalists from its booth with a rude and dismissive tone, and refusing to grant interviews about its portfolio of products for much of the week. On the final day of the show - after being called out for its lack of transparency on social media, and in the face of a significant push from the Hamburg Aviation group - B/E allowed journalists past the barriers for a guided tour. In this episode, we consider why a publicly traded aircraft interiors company would see fit to adopt such a strategy at a trade show that is open to the public, and at a time in history when its products are having a significant impact on the passenger experience. B/E CEO Werner Lieberherr assured that the company would do things differently next year.

Last but not least, we'd be remiss not to discuss the profound impact that inflight connectivity is having on aviation. From nose to tail, in the flight deck and in the cabin, connectivity is changing the game. The excitement about connectivity was palpable at AIX. We discuss why this year is a watershed moment for the industry.

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