The Business of Passenger Experience
By the time Summer 2022 rolls around United Airlines will serve more transatlantic destinations than ever in its history. The carrier announced five new transatlantic markets this week, plus increased service to another five. The company will also finally launch seven routes waylaid by the pandemic.
Oh, and the 737 MAX will join the oceanic fun.
Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to bring back the A380 super jumbo. Citing strong demand – and customer preference for the type – as the country expands its vaccinated traveler lane (VTL) program, London will be the first market to see regular A380 flights resume.
The battle for terrestrial high speed in-flight connectivity is heating up, but on the satellite-based front Inmarsat continues to demonstrate its power. The company announced its 1000th installation on the JetConnecX platform, backed by the GX Aviation Ka-band satellite constellation.
How best to describe the seemingly limitless demand for air travel between the Northeastern United States and Florida? If the launch of Avelo’s new hub in New Haven does not provide sufficient evidence, consider another pair of new routes announced this week.
Live television is now flying on Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA) under a two month trial with Panasonic Avionics. The service launched on the carrier’s A321LR earlier this month.
Last week was, generally speaking, a pretty strong showing for emissions concerns in the aviation world. IATA, the industry’s largest global trade group, passed a resolution targeting net zero emissions across their operations by 2050.
The SmartSky air-to-ground networks is – finally – live. The company officially launched commercial operations at the NBAA conference in Las Vegas this afternoon, allowing its OEM and MRO to begin installations and complete additional STCs and Value Added Resellers to activate, connect, and serve customers.
Business jet owners and operators can now purchase in-flight wifi service directly from Viasat with the launch of the company’s new Viasat Select offerings.
A 70% off sale like the one announced this week is enough to grab plenty of attention. But the bigger news from AirAsia as it resumes interstate operations is a major push to digital processes for travel, effectively eliminating paper documents for its guests.
Does an airline owe passengers a refund if their in-flight wifi doesn’t deliver? Currently that answer is murky. And at least one connectivity provider objects to language used in US Department of Transportation efforts to enact some consumer protection rules around their services.
