Michael Planey
Bridging the gap between engineering and marketing, Michael Planey
offers his clients more than 16 years of expertise in product
definition, design and development. He is a specialist in the areas of
inflight internet connectivity, entertainment, communications and
aircraft interiors. Past clients have included airlines, passenger rail
lines, technology suppliers, content creators, trade associations and
financial investors.
Michael has been recognized as a voice of reason within the often
over-promised but under-delivered areas of inflight technology and
passenger service. His commentary has been featured in publications
such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Popular Science, Air
Transport Intelligence and Flight Global. Additionally, he has made
numerous appearances, both nationally and internationally, as a
speaker, moderator or host of technology conferences as well as
appearing on radio programs around the world.
Holding a bachelor of science degree in
Aeronautical and
Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette,
Indiana, Michael is fluent in the technical details of product design
and development. His managerial positions at American Airlines and US
Airways afforded him the opportunity to lead the implementation of
premier inflight entertainment and communications technologies as well
as to develop substantial expertise in Aircraft Performance
Engineering, Operations, Revenue Management, Brand Management and
Marketing. His deep understanding of the needs of airlines to maintain
cost-effectiveness while remaining competitive within the marketplace
means that Michael has successfully advised both airlines and vendors
on the next generation of inflight entertainment and communications
products.
Michael began his career with a year as a Student
Engineer
working on crew station design and emergency egress systems for the
United States Air Force. He was involved in the development of advanced
electronic imagery and display technology as well as human factors
engineering programs examining pilot workload. That experience focused
him on the need to always keep the passenger first in the mind of
designers and to ensure that technology serves to make the inflight
environment more humane.