HEADPHONES
GIP has launched a silicon version
to provide a very comfortable fit. The company also offers a variety of modern, colourful headsets. These can match the airline’s cabin colours and brand, or suit children. Another recent eco-friendly trend is the wooden earbud. GIP also provides headsets which use microphones outside the earcups to sense and reduce surrounding noise. Chalita White: “Another popular
trend is to upgrade the headband headset’s earcup covers from foam to faux leather – transforming a simple headset to a more luxurious looking product.”
EARCLIPS InflightDirect’s answer to the comfort factor is a new earclip model. Thomas Mockler says: “Our newest earclip model ID-689 is a smaller earclip that fits most passengers much better than the larger earclips which have been heavy and tend
to be uncomfortable on longer flights. This smaller clip is a great option for those passengers that do not like the earbud style.” InflightDirect’s best-selling
product is its newest rubber tipped model ID-201. Airlines sell these headsets as well as giving them away. Says Mockler: “These models have
come down in cost to a point that can offer a passive noise-reduction type of earbud at a very good cost. For those airlines that sell them to passengers, we have been upgrading the speaker elements to
Facing page, Global Inflight and AVID headphones. This page, below left, Chatsford headphones with, above, ACTIA earbuds
MANAGING THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Airlines carrying quantities of headsets onboard face challenges beyond product quality. Inventory and logistics is a major factor. And one company has introduced a programme to facilitate headphone supply. AVID has identified the 16 IFE and passenger
comfort products most requested by airlines and made a major commitment to have their products in stock and ready to ship every business day of the year. Michael Twist, president of AVID airline
products: “This innovative programme provides airline customers with the comfort of knowing that we can cover their urgent IFE and passenger comfort needs every business day of the year. We have made a corporate commitment to be the most reliable supplier in the industry.”
The Inventory Now programme includes its
range of headphones and earbuds including the AS-12 clip-on headset, AE-215 rubber tip earbud, QE-151 earbud, AS-TT4 earbud w/adaptor, AE-TT4 earbud, single pin, AE-711 headset, and FV-060 headset. InflightDirect also supplies direct to airlines.
Says Mockler: “The InflightDirect method of business, that is factory direct, will continue to be the best way for airlines to have the most competitive pricing while also maintaining the expertise of the InflightDirect team to oversee and handle all production, distribution, and communication world-wide. Our US warehouses always have plenty of generic stock for those airlines that may need an interim shipment delivered quickly.”
give the passenger a headphone that rivals many retail brands.” The ID-438 is the company’s basic
earbud that “continues to be a great option as a space saver onboard versus the larger headband style models,” says Mockler.
FUTURE TRENDS So will earbuds continue to
thrive in the cabin? Says Mocker, “Headphones will continue to follow the trends of the consumer markets. The rubber- tipped earbuds will continue to be very popular and reusable packages that can be sold to customers also allow the airlines
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