Although much of the hype around how IT might reshape aviation is warranted, sometimes the technologies are not quite ready for prime time.
From radio-frequency tags for baggage to next-generation aircraft described as being flying data centres, glitches and delays have shown that the road to the future is often bumpy.
Edward Nicol, the director of information management at Cathay Pacific Airways, stared down executives from Airbus and Boeing last week at an IT conference and said the two companies' promises for web-connected aircraft had shown a "frustrating lack of progress".
"Despite the promises that it is going to be fantastic and it is going to make money and create operational efficiencies, years later we are still talking about how to make this a reality."
Frederic Saugnac, the head of e-operations at Airbus, agreed that progress had been slow. "Between reality and what we are thinking, sometimes there can be a long time," he said. "We can talk fast, but when we have to act, it is not always so easy as talking."
Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, the president and chief executive of Air France KLM, acknowledged that the French and Dutch airlines, which merged in 2004 to form the group, had just achieved 95 per cent compatibility in their IT systems.
Tony Tyler, the chief executive of Cathay Pacific, marvelled at how IT projects were "inexplicably expensive".
In baggage handling, radio-frequency identification has been touted as the technology to end the days of lost luggage. But Michael Ibbitson, the vice president of information and communication services at Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said airports worldwide had not agreed on a universal standard, preventing the widespread use of the technology.
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Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
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Match info
Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')