What can we gather from more than three hours of testimony by Boeing executives and government safety officials before the US Senate Commerce Committee today? Mostly that the format is terrible for getting real answers to the critical questions surrounding the 737MAX crashes, subsequent grounding and potential, eventual return to service. Still, a few interesting bits bubbled up through the testimony.
Eutelsat plans more Ku-band capacity; Gogo signs on for increased service
More Ku-band capacity is coming on line over Europe, the North Atlantic and Middle East in 2022. Eutelsat will launch 10B, a replacement for its existing 10A satellite, delivering a significant boost to capacity. Gogo is a committed customer for the new satellite and others are also in the wings.
JetBlue adds support chat to mobile apps
Need to get in touch with JetBlue’s customer service team? Skip the phone call and open the airline’s app. Thanks to its partnership with customer service technology company Gladly, JetBlue now offers a fully integrated support chat option in its iOS mobile application. Android integration will go live in the coming weeks.
United Airlines’ 50-seat RJ refresh will not include IFE/C…Yet!
With the United Express ERJ-145 slated for a full interiors refresh starting in early 2020 is now time for entertainment and wifi to also take flight on the company’s smallest jets? It seems likely, even if that bit was not supposed to be public just yet.
WOW Air II pivots to cargo
Want to fly on the relaunched WOW Air? Better grow gills. And be dead. The company now expects to relaunch as a cargo operator rather than a passenger carrier, assuming it ever gets off the ground at all.
American Airlines adds a pair of New Zealand routes for next Winter
In October 2006 Air New Zealand dropped its service from Christchurch to Los Angeles, continuing to London, removing the only non-stop connection between New Zealand’s South Island and the USA. In October 2020 that link will be restored by American Airlines. Service between the US and New Zealand is booming.
ATPCO boosts rich data distribution with Amadeus, Sabre deals
The online flight shopping experience is about to become a far richer experience. Amadeus and Sabre, two of the largest distribution platforms, will soon have the ability to include far more details about the inflight travel experience and amenities for travelers, helping to shift away from price and schedule as the dominant comparison metrics.
Vueling gets online with Inmarsat’s EAN connectivity
Flying an LCC in Europe no longer means being disconnected while in the sky. IAG’s Vueling operation soft-launched inflight wifi connectivity delivered via the European Aviation Network (EAN), powered by Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, on five of its aircraft earlier this month. Vueling is the third EAN airline and the first LCC with the service.
What to expect on board as United’s new CRJ550 takes flight
Removing nearly 30% of the seats from an aircraft is guaranteed to make the remaining product a more comfortable experience. Still, until United Airlines opened up its new CRJ550 to passengers over the weekend it was not clear just how much better the on board passenger experience would be. This plane is a big win, and not just for first class passengers.
Live from the CRJ550: PaxEx Update 25 Oct 2019
United’s newest aircraft type takes flight this week and the CRJ550 interior really is as special as the company has been hyping. Airbus orders and Boeing delays plus some fancy new wifi and upgraded airports on the horizon. Another busy PaxEx week.