Gogo’s upcoming 5G ATG network will require partnerships for a successful buildout. Today at NBAA in Las Vegas the inflight connectivity company announced three companies that will play key roles in developing the technology used by the service. Cisco, Airspan Networks, and FIRST RF Corp. each will provide necessary elements to Gogo’s 5G solution for aviation.
Viasat, Gulfstream announce STC for inflight wifi on G280
The super-midsize Gulfstream G280 business jet is now certified to carry Viasat’s inflight Ka-band connectivity solution. The two companies announced the receipt of FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the installation at the NBAA conference in Las Vegas this week.
JetBlue launches a new – and maybe useful – carry-on bag fee trial
Since airlines started charging for checked bags the overhead bins are more crowded and passengers more stressed. A new (optional) fee from JetBlue related to carry-on bags may help solve the problem. Or at least mitigate it slightly.
Gogo secures AVANCE L5 certification for Embraer Phenom 300 Business Jets
The most delivered light business jet for the past seven years has a new option for inflight wifi connectivity. Embraer and Gogo announced approval from the FAA for a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) allowing the installation of the AVANCE L5 solution as a retrofit option. With more than 500 aircraft delivered over the past decade this represents a strong opportunity for the vendor to secure additional subscribers in its business aviation segment.
Embraer and Flexjet sign for 64 new biz jets
Embraer’s Praetor 500/600 family of jets was quick to move from announcement to certification and now to inclusion in a fractional biz jet fleet. That they are available from the factory fitted with high wpeed inflight wifi from Viasat is an added bonus.
Some Sunrise skepticism
Over the weekend Qantas brought another 787-9 home to its fleet in Sydney. But this was not a normal delivery flight. Project Sunrise is coming, and maybe it shouldn’t.
JetBlue closes Mexico City for bookings
JetBlue appears poised to close its Mexico City operations after four years in the market. While the carrier still has flights to Mexico’s capital city from Boston, New York City, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in the timetable it has zeroed out inventory for all of those routes after 8 January 2020.
Sunrise Stretch: PaxEx Update 2019-10-18
The beginnings of Project Sunrise and extra leg room for the Kiwis. Plus more wifi (maybe) coming in China and another loyalty top tier moves further away.
Get these stories and more in this week’s PaxEx Update.
Delta seeks subscription success with SkyMiles Select
Is it a new, lower elite tier that passengers can just buy outright, a threat to the co-branded credit card cash cow that drives so much of the airline’s profits, or just another way to get passengers to pay up for services at a margin far beyond their hard costs? Probably a bit of all three and then some.
JetBlue, Norwegian aim to link route networks in 2020
JetBlue and Norwegian intend to establish an interline agreement, allowing passengers to transfer more easily between the two carriers on a single ticket. But the partnership leaves many questions and questionable value for travelers, at least to start.