Gogo is getting back into the satellite connectivity business in a big way. The company announced a deal to integrate the OneWeb low earth orbit (LEO) constellation into its business aviation connectivity network, providing global coverage for its customers.
Main Content
United opens newest, largest ever lounge at Newark
United Airlines’ newest lounge opened at Newark, offering a massive expansion of premium space for its passengers. Located in Terminal C3 near gate C123, this club is the largest club in United’s network, at nearly 30,000 square feet and 480 seats.
Lufthansa plans entertainment upgrade for 747-8i fleet
In a sign that the aircraft will keep flying for some years to come, Lufthansa will retrofit the in-flight entertainment hardware on its 747-8i fleet with the Panasonic Avionics NEXT platform.
PaxEx Premium News
EL AL plans Bluebox WOW deployment for 737 streaming entertainment stopgap
EL AL plans a shift in its in-flight entertainment strategy, at least in the short term. The carrier signed an agreement to deploy the Bluebox WOW streaming IFE platform across its fleet of 26 737s the company ramps up its recovery.
Feeling ESA pressures
As the next generation of in-flight connectivity technology starts to show signs of actually flying, where will the impact be felt the most?
Two more ESAs prepare for flight
More electronically steered antenna (ESAs) solutions will be flying later this year. At least two more companies are looking to launch test flights of the new technology with a focus on eventually serving commercial aircraft.
IFEC
Gogo, OneWeb team for BizAv satellite service
Gogo is getting back into the satellite connectivity business in a big way. The company announced a deal to integrate the OneWeb low earth orbit (LEO) constellation into its business aviation connectivity network, providing global coverage for its customers.
Lufthansa plans entertainment upgrade for 747-8i fleet
In a sign that the aircraft will keep flying for some years to come, Lufthansa will retrofit the in-flight entertainment hardware on its 747-8i fleet with the Panasonic Avionics NEXT platform.
Turkish launches new WiFi on 737s, A321s
With more than a dozen aircraft fitted, Turkish Airlines is finally ready to officially launch its newest in-flight connectivity platform. The service, powered by Anuvu and in-country partner Profen, can be accessed on 13 of the company’s Airbus A321 and Boeing 737NG planes.
Spirit Airlines completes A320 WiFi installs
The Spirit Airlines A320 fleet is now fully fitted with in-flight WiFi. With both the A321 and now the A320 fleets completed, Spirit’s fleet can deliver in-flight internet service on more than 82% of its departures and 87% of its available seat miles.
Supply chain woes slow United’s single-aisle refresh
United Airlines remains confident in the overall trajectory of its Next single-aisle cabin refresh program. But in the short term supply chain issues are making the road to completion far more challenging than initially planned.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
Northern Pacific to lease aircraft for service launch
Adding a new aircraft type to a fleet is a challenging task. Switching from props to jets is even harder. And adding international routes further ups the complexity. Northern Pacific is discovering many of these issues as it pushes forward with plans to fly to Korea and Japan from Anchorage, hopefully later this year.
JetBlue furthers Summer route cuts to boost reliability
JetBlue will further trim its Summer 2022 schedule. The carrier plans “further tweaks” to the network, in response to elevated fuel prices and in support of its reliability goals.
Avianca, Viva plan a merger to keep competing
Can a merger of competing airlines improve customer choice and lower prices? History suggests, time and again, the answer is no. But that did not stop Avianca from suggesting that a buyout of Viva would do precisely that.
Republic seeks waiver on 1,500 hour rule for pilots
With the pilot shortage challenge becoming ever more acute, regional carrier Republic Airways is looking for a different way to get more pilots into its operations. The carrier filed an application with the US Federal Aviation Administration last month seeking permission for pilots with 750 hours of flight experience – half the current requirement – to be licensed as a Restricted Air Transport Pilot (R-ATP), eligible to operate commercial service for the company.
Lufthansa adds 787-9s as 777X delivery delays drag on
With delivery timing on its 777X fleet still uncertain, Lufthansa is turning to the 787-9 to help backfill missing capacity. The carrier added seven new passenger aircraft to its order book, while also expanding its Boeing freighter operations.
Seating & Cabin
Emirates formally launches Premium Economy cabin sales
Emirates is (finally, again) ready to sell its premium economy seats. The carrier now operates six aircraft with the seats on board. That’s enough for the first three routes to launch later this summer, with more to come as further aircraft retrofits occur.
Air France brings suite doors to 777-300ER business class cabin
Air France plans to retrofit a dozen 777-300ER aircraft, including a new business class seat with privacy doors. The cabin retrofit is part of the carriers efforts to “move upmarket” and “offer its customers the best of France and take elegance to new heights.”
Shedding seats: Short-staffed short-hauler seeks schedule stability
Being short-staffed for summer schedules is not a unique problem for airlines. EasyJet’s approach to addressing it, however, is rather different from the others.
Loyalty
Star Alliance credit card coming this fall
Why would an airline alliance launch a loyalty credit card? The obvious answer is money. Co-brand credit cards are massive drivers of revenue for airlines. But historically that has applied at the airline level, not at the alliance level. Star Alliance will change that later this year when the group launches its own card.
airBaltic boosts NFT loyalty play
Perhaps no airline sees itself as an innovator more than airBaltic.
The company’s latest move – to issue 10,000 more NFTs tied to its loyalty program – raises questions about whether the airline is innovative or simply chasing a shiny buzzword.
RIP E500s: American retires short-haul upgrade credits
American Airlines is killing off AAdvantage 500-mile upgrade credits. Effective from Wednesday, March 2, 2022, all elites will have access to unlimited upgrades.
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.