American Airlines’ upcoming A321XLR and 787-9 aircraft will be the launch platform for the Thales AVANT Optiq displays. These 4K HDR screens, featuring Samsung QLED technology also offer Bluetooth pairing at every seat.
Vaayu secures A320 P2F deal, expects early 2022 EIS
The first A320 freighter conversion took flight this week, a major milestone in the project as it moves towards entry into service in the first half of 2022. Vaayu Group expects to take delivery of the first plane early next year, part of a five plane deal announced during the Dubai Airshow last month.
SkyFive, Pivotel plane air-to-ground connectivity trial in Australia
Air-to-ground connectivity is coming to Australia. ATG infrastructure specialist SkyFive announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia’s Pivotel to undertake a detailed technical evaluation and proof-of-concept trial for the solution across a large swath of the country between Dabbo and Sydney.
Connect Airlines plans 2025 hydrogen conversion
Upstart Connect Airlines sees a lower carbon operation very soon in its future. The company, part of the Waltzing Matilda Aviation group, signed a letter of intent with Universal Hydrogen to convert a dozen Dash 8-300 turboprops to hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, hopefully by 2025.
Breeze grows into Long Island, Palm Beach
New York’s Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) are slated to join the Breeze Airways network map in 2022, part of an eight route expansion for the airline. And with the move, a bit of shift in the way the company is planning its operations.
Wizz Air gets online – without wifi!
The first WizzAir plane with in-flight connectivity entered service last week. But this is not a typical internet connection on a plane. Powered by fflya from ASIP Tech, the service approaches the very concept of on-board internet from a different perspective. And the implementation shows that difference
Qatar Airways poised to lease/operate Cathay 777s
Qatar Airways is looking to partners to help augment its long-haul fleet. Cathay Pacific is next up, with a couple 777s likely moving west early in 2022.
Flying Colours to sell, install SmartSky connectivity
Flying Colours Corp. the international maintenance, repair, overhaul, and completions company, signed an agreement with North Carolina-based SmartSky Networks to act as a sales and installation facility for SmartSky’s air-to-ground connectivity equipment.
Malaysia Airlines plans IFE update with Flymingo
Malaysia Airlines plans to update the in-flight entertainment (IFE) experience on its 737-800 fleet. The airline will launch a new streaming IFE solution on board, based on Moment’s Flymingo Connect platform.
Allegiant, Viva Aerobus plan groundbreaking joint venture
Allegiant sees significant potential carrying leisure travelers to Mexican resort destinations, but the cost – both real and relative to domestic expansion – is too high. Viva Aerobus wants to expand deeper into the US leisure segment, but its prior attempts mostly failed. Together, however, the two believe they can become a strong player in the transborder market, commanding a double digit share.