Thompson Aero Seating will bring the dynamic testing (a/k/a crash testing) of its seating solution in-house. The company will develop and operate a world-class Dynamic Test Facility (DTF) in Northern Ireland.
Main Content
SkyMiles Loyalty: Measured in Credit Cards
It is no secret that US airline loyalty programs drive the bulk of their profits from co-brand credit card relationships. And with Delta Air Lines’ latest decision to remove a key SkyTeam benefit from its members, the program’s transition to a credit card loyalty offering is arguably complete.
Air India, Vistara to merge
Why compete with yourself? For India’s Tata Group, owning both Air India and Vistara – the country’s two full service carriers – presented precisely that challenge. Now Air India and Vistara will merge, bringing a coherent competitive stance to the market, along with an additional cash infusion to boost operations.
PaxEx Premium News
Saudia, Skyfive bring air-to-ground online in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s first air-to-ground inflight internet service is now online, thanks to Saudia, Skyfive, CITC, STC, and Eclipse Global Connectivity.
AirFi delivers inflight retail for AirAsia (and more)
AirAsia selected the AirFi wireless platform to boost inflight retail sales and entertainment options on board. The carrier has long offered a digital on-board experience across parts of its fleet. Plus, a few other airline customers coming online.
Starlink/JSX STC slips
The first plane is fitted and flying. The new SpaceX Starlink inflight connectivity system on JSX works, and the companies are excited to deploy it fleet wide. Alas, it does not appear they will meet the target timeline of having the system fully installed before the end of the year. The necessary Supplemental Type Certification (STC) remains pending with the authorities.
IFEC
Condor adds inflight internet to A330neo fleet
Condor’s newest planes will fly online. The carrier added in-flight connectivity to its A330neo fleet, providing internet service in the sky to passengers via the new Condor FlyConnect system.
Air Canada adds live television on board
Live news and sports is now flying on Air Canada. The carrier is adding six channels of Canadian television, in English and French, to its inflight entertainment package, powered by Panasonic Avionics and Intelsat 2Ku.
Qatar Airways to live-stream FIFA World Cup on board
Qatar Airways passengers will have access to FIFA World Cup matches live in flight, thanks to a partnership between Panasonic Avionics, Inmarsat, and IMG’s Sport24.
AT&T adds inflight roaming option with Aeromobile, Panasonic Avionics
AT&T’s International Day Pass roaming plan is taking to the skies. The company signed an agreement with Panasonic Avionics subsidiary Aeromobile to deliver roaming services on board.
Saudia, Skyfive bring air-to-ground online in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s first air-to-ground inflight internet service is now online, thanks to Saudia, Skyfive, CITC, STC, and Eclipse Global Connectivity.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
Air India, Vistara to merge
Why compete with yourself? For India’s Tata Group, owning both Air India and Vistara – the country’s two full service carriers – presented precisely that challenge. Now Air India and Vistara will merge, bringing a coherent competitive stance to the market, along with an additional cash infusion to boost operations.
Is a pilots union brewing at Boutique Air?
With big raises and other quality of life wins coming to regional airline pilot groups in recent months, pilots at Boutique Air want to get in on the action. Or something like that. A letter was recently circulated at the company, claiming to come from a group of pilots with demands for improved work conditions and pay.
Frontier closes a major gap in the GoWild! pass
Just one day after launching the product, however, the airline substantially improved the offering, while also extending the initial pricing discount.
GoWild! with unlimited* flight pass from Frontier
Frontier Airlines is getting into the subscription flight pass business. The carrier formally launched its GoWild! Pass, touting access to the carrier’s entire US route network for a full year. The pass is priced at $599 to start for a limited number of buyers. After that – and for renewals – it prices at $1999 per year.
JetBlue pick Paris for Transatlantic growth
Next up across the Atlantic for JetBlue: Paris. The carrier announced the French capital as its second transatlantic market, with service planned to launch in Summer 2023. Flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport will initially operate from JetBlue’s main hub at New York’s JFK airport, with flights from Boston following.
Seating & Cabin
Peek inside Alaska Airlines’ first 737-800 retrofit
The first Alaska Airlines 737-800 completed its interior retrofit and is once again ready to carry passengers. Gone are the carpet-art cabin dividers and forward bulkhead wall. Replacing them are muted tones of blue, beige, and grey.
Recaro selected for Lufthansa long-haul economy seating refresh
Recaro will provide the economy class seats for Lufthansa’s new “Allegris” cabin refresh program. The company announced it secured the order for nearly 24,000 CL3710 and CL3810 seats to equip just under 100 Lufthansa and Swiss planes. The first seats will be delivered in Q4 2022.
Korean Air speaks a new design language with A321neo launch
It’s out with the blue and in with the new as Korean Air revealed an updated cabin design for its Airbus A321neo fleet.
Loyalty
Star Alliance, HSBC launch an Australian credit card
The new Star Alliance credit card, first teased in May of this year, is now live in Australia. Launched in partnership with HSBC, the first of its kind co-brand credit card allows members to earn Star Alliance Points and elite status with seven partner airline loyalty programs.
Alaska Airlines adds loyalty to flight pass subscription pitch
Alaska Airlines is adding a touch of loyalty to its flight subscription program. In addition to adding Salt Lake City as an eligible market, the carrier will now give some subscribers MVP or MVP Plus status for enrolling in the program.
Iberia pivots to revenue-based loyalty; British Airways to follow
Iberia will shift to a revenue-based earning scheme for its loyalty program at the end of November. British Airways will soon follow.
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.