The inflight connectivity community has suffered from years of disappointment as promise after promise from manufacturers failed to yield electronically steered phased array (ESAs) antennae for commercial aircraft. Phasor and others appeared poised to break that streak, with the news at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg more optimistic than not. An update from one inflight connectivity provider this week calls some of that optimism into question, however.
Mitsubishi’s SpaceJet buys Bombardier’s support
We are mere months away from the production of the final CRJ passenger jet. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced this morning a deal to acquire Bombardier’s regional jet program, bringing it to a close as the SpaceJet will take its place.
Boom’s supersonic timing slips
Boom still plans to bring supersonic passenger flights back to the general public, just not as soon as previously predicted. And there are still a LOT of open questions about getting there at all.
Killing off Eurowings long haul
Can long-haul LCCs succeed in Europe? Perhaps so, but the Lufthansa Group will no longer be part of that effort. Eurowings is closing its longhaul routes down in an effort to simplify and streamline operations.
FAA declares no-go for Iranian airspace
The FAA is prohibiting flights over portions of Iranian airspace in a move that could further heighten tensions in the region.
Different business models, same aircraft model: American, Frontier and JetBlue take on the A321XLR
Three very different US airlines all ordered the same plane during this week’s Paris Air Show. How will JetBlue, Frontier and American put the A321XLR to use??
Norwegian goes gate-to-gate for inflight wifi connectivity
More passengers can spend more flight time online for free thanks to the latest inflight connectivity update from Norwegian Airlines. The carrier announced today that all of its connected aircraft now offer the service gate-to-gate rather than only above 10,000 feet.
AirFi announces a trio of new customers
Portable wireless IFE vendor AirFi secured three new customers in recent weeks, extending its leading role in the market. Air Arabia, Air Seychelles and Bamboo Airways will all fly the company’s kit, bringing entertainment services to passengers on board.
SmartSky boosts sales channel with Honeywell Aerospace VAR deal
As the network buildout enters the home stretch SmartSky’s sales efforts continue apace. Honeywell Aerospace signed on as a value-added reseller for the SmartSky air-to-ground inflight connectivity solution this week.
IAG makes a MAX move in Paris
For roughly 30 hours this week the clouds of gloom and doom hung of Boeing’s chalet at Le Bourget. That all changed this afternoon with a major order for the manufacturer.