Traveling with kids could make it easier to earn elite status in the JetBlue TrueBlue program starting next year. But that benefit will come with fewer free drinks on board.
Main Content

Virgin Atlantic, Boeing Team for ESA Installs
Virgin Atlantic will lean on Boeing Global Services (BGS) for installation of new inflight connectivity hardware on the carrier’s 787 Dreamliner fleet.

Southwest Taps Volantio for Post-Booking Revenue Management
Southwest Airlines continues to increase its options for generating revenue beyond the initial booking, adding Volantio’s Re-Commerce Platform to its operations.
PaxEx Premium News

Making Marketing Pay: Beating Break-even with Ad-supported IFC
Can inflight internet be offered complimentary to passengers and without costing the airlines a small fortune? Historically the answer was a resounding no, but more are claiming it is possible.

SES Charts a New IFC Path with Intelsat Acquisition
SES entered the inflight connectivity market indirectly with its Open Orbits program. Now that it owns Intelsat, however, that direct relationship exists, and the company expects it to grow.

Capacity to be free
Supporting a potential for 150,000 more passengers online in the sky every day at the end of October is no easy feat. But suppliers say they’re ready for Southwest’s shift, and the other airlines expected in the months to follow.
IFEC

Virgin Atlantic, Boeing Team for ESA Installs
Virgin Atlantic will lean on Boeing Global Services (BGS) for installation of new inflight connectivity hardware on the carrier’s 787 Dreamliner fleet.

PaxEx PR: Airmont Taps DIRECTV for BizAv Content Push
Live television is a huge draw for the inflight experience, especially news and sports. A new partnership between DIRECTV and Airmont makes more of that available to more BizAv customers.

Immfly Boosts Inflight Retail with Data Clarity Acquisition
Inflight retail tech supplier Immfly will boost its data prowess with the acquisition of Data Clarity. The combined company aims to deliver the industry’s “first truly unified, data-driven retail and connectivity ecosystem.”

Making Marketing Pay: Beating Break-even with Ad-supported IFC
Can inflight internet be offered complimentary to passengers and without costing the airlines a small fortune? Historically the answer was a resounding no, but more are claiming it is possible.

Arc Touts UX Improvements for Moving Map
Airlines continue to see the moving map as a centerpiece for a compelling inflight entertainment experience. Panasonic Avionics is boosting that opportunity, releasing several major enhancements to its Arc in-flight map platform last week at World Aviation Festival in Lisbon. The latest Arc evolutions…transform the map into a platform for storytelling, inclusivity, and brand connection, […]
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports

Reliability, then Product, on Breeze’s Agenda
Breeze CEO David Neeleman is confident the carrier is moving in the right direction, but he still wants to see operational reliability improve before further tweaking the product.

Delta/Aeromexico JV Termination Finalized by DOT
The US Department of Transportation finalized its order terminating the Delta Air Lines/Aeromexico joint cooperation agreement and antitrust immunity. The pair must wind down their immunized operations by the end of the year.

Lufthansa Group Centralizes Planning, Keeps PaxEx Distributed
Cooperation and coordination within the Lufthansa Group airlines is shifting, with network decisions further consolidating to headquarters.

United’s Kirby Pitches Political Angle, Product Investment for Growth
Are passengers ready to pay more for a better product? United CEO Scott Kirby thinks so, and the company is working to make that happen, while also increasing international market share.

Spirit Returns to Chapter 11
Spirit Airlines was back in court over the weekend, once again seeking the protections of the US Bankruptcy Code, a move it claims was forced by a business partner.
Seating & Cabin

Sun Country Plans Inflight Wi-Fi, Just Not Yet
Sun Country’s next cabin refresh is coming soon-ish, and inflight Internet is likely to be part of the plan.

Qantas Expands XLR Fleet, Plans Lie-flat Beds
Qantas will expand its A321XLR fleet from 2028, including plans to change the way the aircraft are used in its operations.

New Seats, Starlink Wi-Fi Now Flying on Air France HOP!
Air France’s regional subsidiary HOP! officially launched flights on its first refreshed E190 fleet this week, bringing new inflight internet online and new seats into service.
Loyalty

Southwest Wi-Fi Goes Free
Southwest Airlines is switching to free Wi-Fi on board from 24 October 2025.

JetBlue’s 25th Birthday Challenge, and My Plan of Attack
This is a pretty terrible idea. But, at least for the moment, I’ve got a plan that will see me fly to 25 unique JetBlue airports over the next few months, collecting 350,000 TrueBlue points and 25 years of Mosaic 1 status along the way.

Emirates, Uber Pursue Strategic Partnership
Emirates is the latest airline to announce an alignment with Uber, targeting loyalty points and other benefits.