Building on yesterday’s report that JetBlue plans “aggressive” changes to its route network details the changes are now public. One new international destination joins the route map and several routes see increased frequencies. The carrier will also close three stations and shift one to seasonal service. A handful of routes will also be shuttered. This round of changes will begin to show in JetBlue’s schedule effective in January 2019.
[PR] Lufthansa Technick performs first 737 MAX connectivity install
![[PR] Lufthansa Technick performs first 737 MAX connectivity install](https://paxex.aero/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/flydubai-737max-150x150.jpg)
Lufthansa Technik recently performed the first major connectivity modifications on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Neither LHT nor the airline will confirm the customer involved but PaxEx.Aero research suggests it is the Global Eagle kit on flyDubai’s A6-MAX frame.
Bringing IoT to flight: Sensors, alerts, payments and more from APEX EXPO 2018
Is the Internet of Things finally set to fly in passenger airline cabins? After years of hearing how it will revolutionize the passenger experience travelers might finally start to see some benefits of such programs. Or, if things go to plan, never see the changes at all, even as the improvements take flight.
JetBlue plans “aggressive” route map changes
The JetBlue route map should look very different later in 2019 compared to today. While transatlantic operations are not to be had in 2019 the current route network should see “aggressive” redeployment of aircraft. At risk of change are several destinations in the Midwest, as well as some smaller markets on the East Coast.
New Istanbul Airport operations delayed two months
Istanbul’s new airport is officially delayed. The yet-to-be-named facility was due to begin operations at the end of October; December is the new target. Still ahead of the new Berlin airport.
Finnair ends free trial, rolls out wifi charges
Finnair’s new short-haul wifi solution, powered by Viasat, is no longer free. The carrier ended the introductory trial period for the service this week, bringing a split-tier performance and pricing model into play.
PaxEx Premium: Does Spirit have a secret for selling wifi?
Outgoing Spirit Airlines CEO Bob Fornaro is no stranger to the inflight connectivity world, even if his current airline is a late adopter of such services. Fornaro oversaw the fleet-wide deployment of connectivity at AirTran. He saw the value it could deliver and the pains that poor performance and limited availability caused for passengers and the airline. Now he wants to bring a new model to market and lead the connected ULCC revolution, starting with the Thales kit installed on his company's fleet. Will this secret sauce work?
Now boarding: Bluetooth audio connections
After years of insisting it would not fly two inflight entertainment companies delivered great news for travelers last week: Bluetooth headphones integration on inflight entertainment systems will be available to airlines very soon. Both Panasonic Avionics (PAC) and Zodiac Inflight demonstrated the solution at the recent APEX EXPO in Boston.
PaxEx Premium: Digging deeper on the Inmarsat/Panasonic strategic partnership
After ten months of negotiations Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics unveiled a strategic partnership late last month. The news hit just prior to APEX EXPO, a major trade show where executives from both companies fielded questions. Answers were provided but uncertainty remains about exactly what the new partnership will deliver on some fronts.
JetBlue pushes TATL further away, teases “Junior Mint” cabin
JetBlue spent the past several years teasing the idea of transatlantic flying. The company believes its Mint business class service could clean up in a market that sees high fares and relatively limited competition. Alas, it remains a dream in many ways. The market was reminded this morning at an investor briefing that such a “distraction” is not welcome at this time.