SmartSky scored a legal victory this week with the US Patent Office declining to institute an inter partes review of U.S. Patent No. 9,312,947 (“the ‘947 patent”), a challenge lodged by Gogo in April. The ruling at this stage is based on the USPTO’s believe that Gogo “has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing in demonstrating that at least one challenged claim of the ’947 patent is unpatentable over the prior art of record.” As a result, the issue won’t even make it to a formal hearing for review.
Main Content
Panasonic Avionics’ Welcome Aboard Collection offers improved cabin safety designs
Passengers and airlines alike have different priorities these days. With those new needs in mind Panasonic Avionics (PAC) reviewed its broad range of offerings, pulling together a focused set of services and products dubbed the Welcome Aboard Collection to help airlines navigate the shifting landscape and reinforce customer confidence.
Vistara launches inflight wifi service on Dreamliner fleet
After years of promises and product evolution Vistara’s service from Delhi to London on the 787-9 will deliver a major milestone for the inflight connectivity industry. Inflight wifi service will fly on an Indian airline tonight for the first time, powered by Nelco and Panasonic Avionics
PaxEx Premium News
WSS fights back against SmartSky’s legal claims
Wireless Systems Solutions issued a statement late Monday disputing the charges levied by SmartSky in a federal lawsuit. Calling the filing retaliatory, WSS’s Laslo Gross spoke with PaxEx.Aero about the claims and what he expects in the next steps of the case.
SmartSky sues supplier over IP theft, delays network deployment
One of SmartSky’s suppliers is accused of stealing the inflight connectivity company’s intellectual property and trying to sell it as an independent ATG network rather than delivering the contracted goods to the company. This one is gonna get messy, folks.
Digging in to the ATG deal between Gogo and Intelsat
With the infusion of new cash coming as part of the Intelsat deal Gogo is well-positioned to invest in its updated air-to-ground (ATG) network, branded “Gogo 5G.” And the company has high hopes for increased revenue that network will deliver, both from its Business Aviation customers and from Intelsat. The latter secured a 10-year exclusive contract to resell Gogo’s ATG connectivity to commercial airlines and the (mostly) regional jets flying with the system installed as part of the deal to acquire the Commercial Aviation business.
IFEC
SmartSky triumphs over Gogo in patent challenge
SmartSky scored a legal victory this week with the US Patent Office declining to institute an inter partes review of U.S. Patent No. 9,312,947 (“the ‘947 patent”), a challenge lodged by Gogo in April. The ruling at this stage is based on the USPTO’s believe that Gogo “has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing in demonstrating that at least one challenged claim of the ’947 patent is unpatentable over the prior art of record.” As a result, the issue won’t even make it to a formal hearing for review.
Panasonic Avionics’ Welcome Aboard Collection offers improved cabin safety designs
Passengers and airlines alike have different priorities these days. With those new needs in mind Panasonic Avionics (PAC) reviewed its broad range of offerings, pulling together a focused set of services and products dubbed the Welcome Aboard Collection to help airlines navigate the shifting landscape and reinforce customer confidence.
Vistara launches inflight wifi service on Dreamliner fleet
After years of promises and product evolution Vistara’s service from Delhi to London on the 787-9 will deliver a major milestone for the inflight connectivity industry. Inflight wifi service will fly on an Indian airline tonight for the first time, powered by Nelco and Panasonic Avionics
Intelsat sees upside in commercial aviation vertical
As Intelsat moves towards closing on its recently announced deal to acquire Gogo’s Commercial Aviation business the company faces one question more significant than the rest: How will this deal work out better at Intelsat than it did for Gogo.
Gogo’s AVANCE L3 now available line-fit on Pilatus PC-24
New Pilatus PC-24 buyers can now choose to have the AVANCE L3 inflight wifi solution from Gogo installed at the factory. The type joins the PC-12 NGX in holding STCs for installation and Pilatus offering as a line-fit solution to customers.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
Thai Airways bankruptcy petition accepted by Thai court
Thai Airways officially entered its bankruptcy reorganization on Monday. The carrier’s petition for rehabilitation, filed on 27 May 2020, was granted by the Central Bankruptcy Court on 14 September, allowing the company to proceed with its recovery plans.
LATAM loses key ruling in bankruptcy court
As LATAM went hunting for cash to see it through bankruptcy it leaned on old friends. But when it comes time to convert the debt to equity, restoring ownership for Delta, Qatar and the Cueto family, the deal proved a bit too sweet for the US Bankruptcy Court to accept.
JetBlue goes hunting for revenue with 24 new winter markets
Why is JetBlue planning two dozen new routes this winter in markets that, a year ago, would have been unthinkable? To quote infamous bank robber Willie Sutton, “Because that’s where the money is.” At least, that’s what JetBlue hopes. Head of Revenue and Planning Scott Laurence explains that the moves “advance our revised network strategy, return more aircraft to the skies and double down on our ability to generate more cash sooner.”
United announces new long-haul routes for 2021
Airline route networks must adapt to shifting demand and long-haul operations are no exception. United Airlines is the latest player to make a move on that front, announcing seven routes today with service slated to launch between December and Summer 2021. The carrier will be reopening some destinations, expanding others and inaugurating a couple of markets never before served.
Delta sees A220 schedule trimmed as pilot furloughs loom
As Delta Air Lines and its pilots battle over impending furloughs an unlikely candidate for collateral damage is emerging. The carrier may be forced to ground some of its A220-100 fleet as it comes up short on First Officers to operate the type. The company notified 1,941 pilots last Friday of potential layoffs on 1 October.
Seating & Cabin
JetBlue’s first Mint A321neo breaks cover
A new JetBlue tailfin emerged at the Airbus final assembly line in Hamburg/Finkenwerder this week raising questions about possible changes on the aircraft interior. PaxEx.Aero can now confirm this will be the first A321neo with a Mint interior for the carrier. Delivery and entry into service are expected to occur before the end of the year.
Recaro, WizzAir partner for massive seating order
The biggest commercial aircraft order in history begat the biggest airline seating order in history. Recaro will supply nearly 100,000 of its SL3710 seats to Indigo Partners airlines, with Wizz Air up first starting next year.
Diehl Aviation secures BFE supplier status at Boeing
Airlines can now select Diehl Aviation galleys and monuments for assembly-line installation on Boeing aircraft. The deal significantly expands Diehl’s market opportunities in the segment.
Loyalty
AirAsia pivots away from its airline roots
“We have successfully pivoted from an airline to an all-in-one digital lifestyle company anchored on travel.” This was the key message delivered by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes as part of the company’s Q2 financial results that showed a 96% drop in quarterly revenue. Airline-related revenue dropped 98% while non-airline revenue, a much smaller portion of the company’s operations, dipped only 55%.
A peek into the new Aeroplan program from Air Canada
Air Canada finally unveiled details of its new Aeroplan program, following two years of planning. And, if nothing else, the loyalty program reflects on its creators. That appears to be a good thing for consumers, at least given the initial information released today.
United adds domestic lounge benefit for Global Services members
United’s top frequent fliers just scored a nice improvement to their travel experience. The company’s Global Services members will have access to United Club lounges when traveling on domestic itineraries starting in January 2021. The announcement is the latest play to secure the loyalty of the carrier’s high value customers.
PaxEx Update
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.
Accessible Lavs and more wifi flying: The Weekly Wrap–10 July 2020
Improved wifi offerings from multiple vendors leads this edition of the Weekly Wrap, while an option for more accessible lav access is our feature interview. Plus lots more!
July’s magic: The Weekly Wrap–3 July 2020
As the calendar rolled over to July the global aviation community saw significant wins. Borders reopened, airlines resumed or increased flight levels. And, perhaps most exciting, lounges are reopening, too. Get details on that and lots more in this edition of The Weekly Wrap