Expect to see some new wifi options on some United Airlines flights, at least for a short while. The company is testing options for higher speeds to support streaming video services, as well as a free option for messaging services, on some of its aircraft.
Atlantic City scores international, Caribbean service with Spirit Airlines expansion
Spirit Airlines will bring international flights to Atlantic City, NJ this winter, a first for the airport. A trio of new destinations will see the low cost carrier expand to 10 total markets from the airport, continuing to expand well beyond 2019 levels at its South Jersey base.
Cathay Pacific A321neo brings many firsts to market
With its inaugural flight A321neo to Shanghai-Pudong on 4 August, Cathay Pacific will break through a number of milestones, particularly around in-flight entertainment and connectivity services.
Clear, others, expected to add TSA PreCheck enrollment later this year
Airport biometrics company Clear could be expanding into the TSA PreCheck business by the end of the year. It is one of three companies eligible to enroll travelers in the expedited airport screening program, and the Agency expects that at least one, if not all three, could have their new systems online later this year.
NetForecast launches airline WiFi service monitoring tool
Can airlines deliver a better in-flight connectivity experience if they better understand how the passenger networks are performing? That’s a major goal for NetForecast and its QMap® Inflight Internet Experience Monitoring service.
Vietnam Airlines plans short-haul WiFi service
Domestic flights across Vietnam will have internet service in the near future. Vietnam Airlines confirms its intentions to add in-flight connectivity to its domestic fleet. The news is part of a strategic alliance with local telco Viettel and will be delivered through an air-to-ground (ATG) network.
Cathay Pacific giving away "Plane for a Day" in vaccination push
Cathay Pacific is getting in on the vaccination prizes game in a big way. Among other things, Hong Kongers can win access to one of the company’s planes for a joy ride with friends.
Mirus adds in-house crash testing facility
Designing and building a new, market-leading seat design is no easy feat. Mirus Aircraft Seating will soon be able to perform another portion of the process in house. The company received a grant to build the largest commercially available aircraft seating test facility in the UK. The facility is expected to enter service in July 2022.
United’s regional future: It’s Electric!
The next 100 planes United Airlines wants to order are very, very different. The Heart Aerospace ES-19 is a 19-seat electric prop that could dramatically change how the company feeds its hubs from smaller airports. Assuming it gets past the many challenges it faces.
British Airways brings back on-board food sales
It turns out that most travelers do not know what they want as a snack more than 24 hours prior to their travels. British Airways appears to have learned this lesson as the carrier will enable in-flight ordering from its buy-on-board menu for departures from its Heathrow base.