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.