The Business of Passenger Experience
Got Status?
For Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles Medallion members, that status just extended another year. The carrier announced today that member status for the 2022 program year will not be lower than it was in 2021. This is the second consecutive year the carrier chose to extend status in its frequent flyer program.
The US Department of Transportation will spend $18 million this year to bolster flight options for smaller airports and communities. Nearly all of that money will funnel to United Airlines and American Airlines.
“The recovery in air travel has come more quickly than we expected… Vaccines have clearly catalyzed customer confidence.” With that opening statement, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes launched a mostly optimistic recap of the carrier’s second quarter finances. The London launch, however, will not be quite as planned.
Another small satellite constellation is coming, this time from a rather unlikely source. Inflight entertainment and connectivity middle-man Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle) will bring MicroGEO satellites into service, launching its first constellation in partnership with next-generation satellite manufacturer Astranis.
Checked bag? Priority boarding? Concert tickets??
Passengers traveling with Allegiant will soon have the option to bundle concert tickets with their flight bookings, thanks to a new multi-year partnership with Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Checked bag? Priority boarding? Concert tickets??
Passengers traveling with Allegiant will soon have the option to bundle concert tickets with their flight bookings, thanks to a new multi-year partnership with Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Gulfstream owners seem to love the Inmarsat Jet ConneX (JX) in-flight connectivity system. The companies announced this week more than 500 of the large cabin business jets now carry the JX kit on board.
The Bluebox Wow streaming IFE solution is now available as a plug-in model. The company announced certification from EASA this week, allowing the updated option to be installed on A320 aircraft.
Icelandair can once again claim in-flight wifi availability on 100% of its flights. The carrier’s 737 MAX fleet, fitted with Ka-band satellite connectivity from Viasat, began activation earlier this year and will accelerate thanks to a recently received certification on the MAX 9.
In-seat screens are not coming back to American Airlines’ single-aisle fleet. The company doubled down on its decision to focus on streaming entertainment on board in the wake of United Airlines’ about face on the issue, citing technical and ecological reasons.
With their new Northeast Alliance continuing to grow, American Airlines and JetBlue confirmed the initial elite status benefits for travelers using the partner airline. Don’t expect too much, however. The initial reciprocity is spectacularly limited.
