Looking to lease a couple Q400s to launch an airline? The going rate appears to be $50k/month, according to recent DOT filings made by Connect Airlines.
Main Content
Have sled, will crash: Recaro inaugurates new seat testing facility
Crashing is good. Crashing can yield useful data. And, especially when properly managed and controlled, crashing is an absolute necessity before new seats can be sold or delivered to airlines.
Northern Pacific snags six 757s for Asia service
Alaska’s Northern Pacific Airways (NPA) is pushing forward with its plans to launch transpacific routes from its base in Anchorage. The carrier purchased its first six 757-200 aircraft for the effort, with the first delivery expected “immediately.”
PaxEx Premium News
Panasonic picks ThinKom for next gen antenna solution
It is not 2Ku. But the new partnership between Panasonic Avionics and ThinKom definitely covers Ku, too. The two companies announced plans to develop an updated antenna solution to fly with Panasonic’s airline customers, starting from 2023.
Inmarsat boosts L-Band network with ELERA launch
Say hello to the next generation of L-band satellite connectivity. Inmarsat ELERA, unveiled this week, promises a dramatic increase in bandwidth, smaller terminals, and lower costs for the narrow-band market. This should drive a significant boost in aircraft safety, among other facets.
PaxEx Premium: A missing asterisk
Celebrating a new product deployment is always a laudable goal. But sometimes it is important to acknowledge that new doesn’t always mean completely new.
IFEC
Northern Pacific snags six 757s for Asia service
Alaska’s Northern Pacific Airways (NPA) is pushing forward with its plans to launch transpacific routes from its base in Anchorage. The carrier purchased its first six 757-200 aircraft for the effort, with the first delivery expected “immediately.”
Inmarsat OneFi aims to better monetize WiFi for airlines
Can an updated wifi portal deliver significant changes in the in-flight passenger connectivity experience? Inmarsat hopes so, as the company launches OneFi, a “customer experience platform” to help improve monetization of the services as well as deliver more options to passengers.
SES-17 launch scheduled for 22 October
A big boost to Ka-band connectivity over the Americas will come next month as SES-17 secures an October launch date.
AERQ partners with ABOVE for digital content workflow
An in-flight entertainment platform without content to show is not much to look at. As cabin digitalization provider AERQ moves towards delivering its solution to airlines it is addressing the content challenge. A new partnership with media processing and distribution platform ABOVE aims to deliver a smooth workflow and stream of content for cabins.
Panasonic picks ThinKom for next gen antenna solution
It is not 2Ku. But the new partnership between Panasonic Avionics and ThinKom definitely covers Ku, too. The two companies announced plans to develop an updated antenna solution to fly with Panasonic’s airline customers, starting from 2023.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
Some details on Connect Airlines’ operating costs
Looking to lease a couple Q400s to launch an airline? The going rate appears to be $50k/month, according to recent DOT filings made by Connect Airlines.
Northern Pacific snags six 757s for Asia service
Alaska’s Northern Pacific Airways (NPA) is pushing forward with its plans to launch transpacific routes from its base in Anchorage. The carrier purchased its first six 757-200 aircraft for the effort, with the first delivery expected “immediately.”
ExpressJet aims to fly as aha!
ExpressJet will not fly as an independent carrier this fall as previously planned. Instead, the carrier will operate under the brand name “aha!” or “fly-aha!” when it launches service.
Winter waiver issued for US airport slots, with an international twist
Airlines operating to some of the largest US airports won a reprieve from regulators, extending a waiver put in place as the COVID pandemic began in early 2020. But this time around the waiver comes with a change in terms, one that could prove significant for US airlines.
Is the Alitalia brand really worth $340 million??
Italy’s newest airline may be forced to pay far more than it hoped to keep the Alitalia brand alive. Reports suggest a starting price of 290 million euro (~$341mm) for the public auction of the brand, roughly double the previously appraised value.
Seating & Cabin
Airbus, Caeli Nova partner to further sustainability
Little changes can have an outsized impact on aircraft emissions. A new partnership between Airbus and Caeli Nova hopes to deliver one such change, opening more efficient routes across the Himalayas.
Swiss trials discount for leftover in-flight food
What should airlines do with all the fresh food left over at the end of the day? Generally speaking, it just goes into a trash bin. Swiss hopes to see the food go a bit further – and drive a bit of revenue – with its new “Too Good To Go” program trials.
Air Canada refreshes Rouge A321s, adds legroom on board
Some travelers on Air Canada’s Rouge fleet should find themselves just a bit more comfortable starting later this year. The carrier announced plans to retrofit cabins and remove a few seats on nine of its A321s, increasing legroom for passengers.
Loyalty
American buys into GOL, plans loyalty, codeshare boost
American Airlines will invest $200 million for a 5.2% stake in Brazil’s GOL as part of an expanded commercial partnership. The deal will see the two tie more closely in each other’s primary market, and significantly boost their loyalty program integration as well.
Southwest Rapid Rewards doubles tier points through November
Southwest Airlines joins the list of airlines admitting that its frequent flyer ranks thinned faster than hoped. As the year draws to a close and the company scales back its flight schedule (citing operational challenges, but demand is also dropping), it will also offer double elite credit in the Rapid Rewards loyalty program in hopes of attracting a few extra trips from its customers.
Alitalia Due (a/k/a Italia Trasporto Aereo) applies for US service
Come October 15th Alitalia will cease operations; Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) will take its place as Italy’s flag carrier. Except that Alitalia will still probably be in business. ITA confirms that it intends to bid on the Alitalia brand at auction as part of its application to serve the United States.
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.