Condor Flugdienst is likely the best known airline you haven’t heard of, at least if you’re an American. But that might be about to change as with a quality product on board as Condor rolls out the A330neo. Come along for the ride!
Main Content
Turkish Airlines boosts Russia capacity with high-density 777-300ERs
Turkish Airlines sees a huge opportunity in Russia, converting part of its fleet to increase lift where others have set embargoes.
airBaltic offers passenger SAF purchase option (that doesn’t entirely suck)
Many airlines offer passengers the opportunity to pay a bit extra on their flights to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the trip. airBaltic’s recently launched program appears to be rather different, avoiding the greenwashing approach most others pursue.
PaxEx Premium News
Stellar Blu secures Boeing line-fit agreement
Stellar Blu just secured a significant boost for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) platform. The company executed an Technical Services Agreement with Boeing that will see the terminal kit as an option for line-fit on the 737 MAX, 787, and 777X types, likely before the end of 2024.
ESpace snags $10 million, two new directors to boost inflight Wi-Fi QoE
In-flight connectivity providers talk a lot about quality of service guarantees. For passengers, the quality of experience (QoE) is arguably more significant. And now an upstart in that segment, ESpace Networks, has $10 million more to expand its technology platform, as the company announced its Series A funding round, led by Columbia Capital.
easyJet talks up AirFi deployment success, future program plans
EasyJet has not been shy about the success of its adoption of AirFi’s on-board shopping and entertainment platform in recent months. And the carrier is just getting started with the system. Simon Cox, the carrier’s Director for InFlight Retail, recently shared some insights with PaxEx.Aero on what’s next as the program matures.
IFEC
In flight: Condor’s A330neo business class shines
Condor Flugdienst is likely the best known airline you haven’t heard of, at least if you’re an American. But that might be about to change as with a quality product on board as Condor rolls out the A330neo. Come along for the ride!
Sir Tim Clark expects IFEC, seats to help trim Emirates’ emissions
Emirates rewrote the book on what it means to keep passengers entertained and comfortable while flying long-haul. Company President Sir Tim Clark recently shared a few thoughts on what the next generation of passenger experience innovations will look like.
Seamless finalizes QoE metrics, certifies first partner
Chalk up another win in the quest for more consistent evaluation of inflight Wi-Fi performance with the Seamless Air Alliance’s Seamless-Certified Service Quality program launching this week.
Stellar Blu secures Boeing line-fit agreement
Stellar Blu just secured a significant boost for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) platform. The company executed an Technical Services Agreement with Boeing that will see the terminal kit as an option for line-fit on the 737 MAX, 787, and 777X types, likely before the end of 2024.
Singapore Airlines to make Wi-Fi free on board
Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to bring complimentary inflight Wi-Fi to all passengers on board. The carrier will expand its current offering – limited to 2 hours for passengers in economy class – to allow for access throughout the flight from July 2023.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
airBaltic offers passenger SAF purchase option (that doesn’t entirely suck)
Many airlines offer passengers the opportunity to pay a bit extra on their flights to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the trip. airBaltic’s recently launched program appears to be rather different, avoiding the greenwashing approach most others pursue.
Norse shifts South Florida operations to Miami
Norse Atlantic will shift its South Florida operations a bit further south. The carrier is abandoning Fort Lauderdale for Miami, effective 18 September 2023.
LATAM fined $1 million for COVID refund delays
South American airline LATAM faces a $1 million fine from the US Department of Transportation for failure to refund passengers in a timeline manner after cancelling flights during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOJ wins: JetBlue, American NEA declared illegal
JetBlue and American Airlines must unwind their Northeast Alliance (NEA), and quickly. The partnership was ruled a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This is, of course, bad news for the two airlines. The impact may be broader than that.
Northern Pacific delays inaugural, battles certification challenges
Northern Pacific’s first flight will have to wait a couple more weeks. The carrier’s planned operations between Ontario, California and Las Vegas will now launch on 23 June 2023.
Seating & Cabin
Ethiopian plans Dreamliner upgrades
Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew confirmed that the carrier’s oldest 787s are due for a cabin refresh; lie-flat beds and upgraded IFE are in the works.
Breeze unveils "Ascent," a new take on premium seating
Delivering a differentiated product in a crowded and commoditized market can be challenging. Breeze Airways rebranded its premium cabin seats as Ascent, hoping to highlight how it differs from traditional first class products, both in what it does include and what it does not.
WestJet mostly delivers a mostly premium experience from Schiphol
WestJet often offers affordable one way premium fares. But does the product measure up to the price??
Loyalty
Frontier selling status to anyone with a co-brand credit card
For years co-branded credit cards represented status-lite options for consumers. Now Frontier Airlines is making it more of a real status option.
Air Canada brings free messaging online, expands live TV coverage
Air Canada plans a big boost to its WiFi offerings on board, including a free messaging for travelers. Live television access on board is also expanding.
JetBlue sets launch date for new TrueBlue Mosaic program
JetBlue will officially transition to its new Mosaic elite status program next month. While TrueBlue program members have been earning under the new “Tiles” rules since the beginning of the year, the earning progress – and any partial status benefits – will finally go live on 10 May 2023.
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.