News broke late last week that Delta Air Lines no longer plans to include Cape Town in its plans for service to South Africa. Now we know a key reason: the South African government denied the airline’s application
Azul goes live with free WiFi on board, powered by Viasat
More than a dozen Azul aircraft now offer free in-flight wifi service on board, with plans to surpass 100 fitted planes in the months ahead.
Carry-on bags now cost more with Aer Lingus basic economy fares
The cheapest fares on Aer Lingus no longer include a carry-on bag allowance. The carrier will now charge passengers flying intra-Europe on Saver fares to bring a bag into the cabin; a smaller personal item remains free.
Flexjet picks Viasat to upgrade BizJet connectivity
Fractional jet ownership leader Flexjet will add Viasat’s in-flight connectivity products to portions of its fleet, bringing high-speed internet service to its owner/passengers.
Arc begins mapping a new digital services future for Panasonic Avionics
Two years following official product launch the Arc maps solution from Panasonic Avionics holds a miniscule market share. As the industry emerges from its pandemic-induced slumber, however, that appears poised to change.
Aer Lingus delays Manchester-US service launch
The Aer Lingus hub at Manchester, UK is taking a delay. Citing slower than expected reopening of the US-UK travel corridor, Aer Lingus will delay the launch of US routes two months, now planning New York and Orlando flights to begin on 30 September 2020.
US DOT seeks major penalty for Air Canada’s no refund policy
It took more than a year, but the US Department of Transportation is ready to pursue regulatory actions against Air Canada. Citing a lack of progress in resolving the issue through an agreed consent order assessing a civil penalty, the DOT filed a formal complaint against the airline, seeking more the $25 million in damages.
Air France picks WiFi for A220 fleet
Air France selected the 2Ku solution from Intelsat to fit its A220 fleet, adding a bit of variation to the carrier’s connectivity configurations.
Finnair launches "Business Light" basic premium fare option
Finnair believes that some business class passengers might be making the purchase solely for the premium in-flight experience. The carrier launched a “Business Light” ticketing option today that delivers the on-board amenities but not other business class benefits.
SmartSky activates test corridor, moves towards nation-wide deployment
With the “completion of all technical milestones and the opening of the first fully operational coverage zone,” the SmartSky in-flight connectivity network is beginning to come online. Route-based flight demonstrations can be performed, marking a major pivot point as it moves towards certification and commercial launch.