A little more space, a little more baggage, a little more comfort. Air Astana’s new Premium Economy service is a solid step up from the regular economy class product. But it also might not really be an upgrade for the carrier’s offerings.
Main Content
So long free ESAs: DOT finalizes new Service Animal rules
The US Department of Transportation published its final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals today, bringing an end to the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) era. Under the new guidelines only dogs may be designated as service animals and owners must attest that they are specially trained to provide services to the passenger, among other requirements.
Gogo Vision 360 BizAv IFE unveiled, adds FlightPath3D maps
Gogo’s AVANCE business aviation platform received an entertainment boost this week with the launch of the Gogo Vision 360 platform.
PaxEx Premium News
ScootHub brings new and expanded in-flight portal to Scoot
The seat-back magazine and menu are now a QR code on Singapore’s Scoot. The carrier is launching the ScootHub in-flight portal starting in December, serving as a one-stop shop for on-board customer needs.
New line-fit IFC option confirmed for A320 family
First tipped in September, PaxEx.Aero can now confirm then first line-fit installation on an A320 family aircraft of an in-flight connectivity solution at Airbus’s Finkenwerder final assembly line.
Gogo sees strong BizAv driving recovery
The business aviation segment shows strong signs of recovery, leading inflight connectivity provider Gogo to a certain amount of optimism as it reports Q3 earnings. The company still lost money in the quarter, but with the private jet market rebounding and demand for wifi on board holding strong, CEO Oakleigh Thorne sees an “encouraging, continued service recovery” on the horizon.
IFEC
Gogo Vision 360 BizAv IFE unveiled, adds FlightPath3D maps
Gogo’s AVANCE business aviation platform received an entertainment boost this week with the launch of the Gogo Vision 360 platform.
Intelsat closes on Gogo Commercial Aviation buyout
Gogo is officially out of the commercial aviation in-flight connectivity business. The company closed its $400 million cash transaction with Intelsat early Tuesday morning, making good on a promise from two weeks ago to complete the deal in early December.
AERQ adds smaller in-flight display options with JOLED partnership
Diversity of offerings is a key part of AERQ’s approach to integrating OLED displays throughout the aircraft cabin. And now, thanks to a new partnership with JOLED, the company has a source for smaller screens on board.
ScootHub brings new and expanded in-flight portal to Scoot
The seat-back magazine and menu are now a QR code on Singapore’s Scoot. The carrier is launching the ScootHub in-flight portal starting in December, serving as a one-stop shop for on-board customer needs.
New line-fit IFC option confirmed for A320 family
First tipped in September, PaxEx.Aero can now confirm then first line-fit installation on an A320 family aircraft of an in-flight connectivity solution at Airbus’s Finkenwerder final assembly line.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
JetBlue plans additional spending cuts, debt raises into 2021
JetBlue expects new and extended spending cuts as well as increased debt headed in to 2021 as its recovery remains “volatile” and Thanksgiving came up short of targets.
Back to School: Breeze Airways looks to university students to fill its flight attendant ranks
Want a job as a flight attendant at Breeze Airways? Better enroll in an online university course at Utah Valley University and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Delta, WestJet scrap JV plans
LaGuardia is more important than the rest of the US-Canadian market for Delta Air Lines and WestJet. This is the message sent by the two carriers late Friday as they withdrew their application for antitrust immunity on their joint venture.
JetBlue flight attendants reject Tentative Agreement
JetBlue’s in-flight crewmembers voted this week to reject their first contract with the carrier. The results were announced in a memo from TWU International Administrative VP and Air Division Director Mike Mayes to the Union members.
UAVs headed to FAA type certification
A half dozen UAVs and associated control systems are now in line for certification by the FAA. The Agency published guidelines on Friday describing the airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the unmanned aircraft systems designs
Seating & Cabin
EasyJet shrinks cabin baggage allowance
The carrier is pitching the move as a push to improve on-time performance, but easyJet’s new hand baggage policy looks an awful lot like an ancillary revenue push.
Lufthansa "Sleeper Row" launches on Sao Paulo service
It is a creative way to generate a bit of extra revenue and great margins on the cost of the extra pillow and blanket loaded for the flight.
KLM selects Recaro SL3710, BL3710 for short-haul fleet
The Recaro SL3710 economy class seat is ready to fly. KLM represents on only the launch customer for the new seat, but also the first time Recaro will fly on an Embraer jet. KLM selected it for installation on the 737-800, E190 and E195-E2.
Loyalty
Reciprocal upgrades coming to American, Alaska Airlines
As the west-coast alliance between Alaska Airlines and American Airlines continues to evolve some frequent flyers got good news this week: upgrades will be available to top tier elites across both loyalty programs.
Shifting the spread on loyalty earn and burn
We know that overall passenger numbers are, for very good reason, down massively. But airlines have relied on their loyalty programs to provide a significant, and perhaps more importantly steady, stream of revenue for the operations. So, as the airlines use those programs to collateralize billions of dollars in new financing, it is worth considering if that revenue flow is as reliable as airlines (and debt holders) hope it can be.
The Weekly Wrap: GX+ North America and Spirit’s New Loyalty Program
In this edition of The Weekly Wrap we’re chatting with Philip Balaam, president of Inmarsat Aviation, about the company’s tie-up with Hughes to create a new in-flight connectivity solution, GX+ North America. Plus FreeSpirit, OpenIFC, and showers in the sky.
PaxEx Update
The Weekly Wrap: GX+ North America and Spirit’s New Loyalty Program
In this edition of The Weekly Wrap we’re chatting with Philip Balaam, president of Inmarsat Aviation, about the company’s tie-up with Hughes to create a new in-flight connectivity solution, GX+ North America. Plus FreeSpirit, OpenIFC, and showers in the sky.
APEX Weekly Wrap: Airline CEO Shuffles and Using Data to Manage Risk Volatility
This episode of the APEX Weekly Wrap reflects on a week of senior staffing news, following announcements that both British Airways CEO Alex Cruz and Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah will step aside, and way more.
Swanky cabins for space or safety: The Weekly Wrap
Swanky space cabins and safer airline cabins lead this week’s episode, while more options for buying blocked seats are reaching the market. Add some more nutritional food on board and this Weekly Wrap is ready to fly!
Long live the Queen: The Weekly Wrap
Some 747 farewells transitioning into possible electric aircraft growth. Plus an interview about the upcoming FTE/APEX Virtual Expo and lots more!
Connections and Connectivity: The Weekly Wrap
This week we’re talking about a big new partnership connecting passengers JetBlue and American Airlines, as well as how Middle East Airlines will be getting connected with Panasonic Avionics.