Even as the aviation industry pushes harder and harder for passengers to return to the skies, the companies behind the scenes concede that recovery will be a long, slow path. The latest tell on that front is a decision to delay the Aircraft Interiors Expo and World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, typically hosted in early April. The new dats are 31 August to 2 September 2021.
Bluebox, dnata partner for in-flight retail push
Bluebox Aviation hopes to further its reach into the ancillary sales market of the South Pacific with a new partnership. The company announced it will work with catering and logistics giant dnata to develop and sell solutions powered by the Bluebox WOW streaming IFE solution in the region. The companies will support each other in product customization and processes for delivering joint solutions to customers.
ZIPAIR picks Panasonic Avionics for inflight connectivity
When ZIPAIR finally starts carrying passengers they’ll have a familiar option for inflight connectivity on board. The company announced its selection of Panasonic Avionics to power IFC on the 787-8 fleet.
Eastern Airlines nears completion of AirFi streaming IFE deployment
Eastern Airlines passengers will soon have inflight entertainment available across the carrier’s entire fleet thanks to AirFi. The wireless IFE system began deployment over the summer and will soon be fully fitted on all eight 767s Eastern operates.
The A220 goes corporate with ACJ TwoTwenty business jet
The Airbus A220 now has a new brand option. The ACJ TwoTwenty brings the type more firmly into the business jet segment. The TwoTwenty offers a flexible cabin catalogue, addressing the requirements of the heavy and long-range business jet customers.
AirAsia Japan halts operations
AirAsia Japan is dead. Again. The second iteration of the ASEAN discount carrier’s operation in Japan ceased operations on Monday, bringing an end to the three year run the carrier flew from its base at Nagoya.
Two major takeaways from FAA Administrator Dixon’s 737 MAX test flight
On Wednesday morning Steve Dickson, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, took Boeing’s 737 MAX for a test flight. Following the successful flight Dickson repeatedly stated, “I like what I saw” from the progress, particularly in how the MCAS system was revised. But that optimism must be tempered against a few very real remaining challenges in getting the aircraft back into commercial service.
Stelia launches Opera, new business class seat for single-aisle market
With single-aisle aircraft flying further than ever before, airlines continue to invest in delivering a more compelling premium cabin experience on board. And now they have another choice of seating supplier to help make that happen. Stelia Aerospace launched the Opera business class seat today, bringing a new luxury option to the single-aisle fleets of tomorrow.
JetBlue extends, reduces blocked seats on board
JetBlue extended its block seating policy on flights through 1 December 2020, adding six additional weeks of limited capacity on all flights. But the carrier is also slightly reducing the number of seats blocked.
Luthansa, Austrian launch SKYdeals "shoppertainment" platform
The future of in-flight shopping is digital. And it will consume passengers’ attention throughout a flight. This is the hope of marketers everywhere and the underlying concept driving the launch of SKYdeals, the new in-flight “shoppertainment” platform now flying on Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines.