Trade shows usually make for great insight into the future of the industry. This week’s APEX EXPO brought some of that to the surface, with news about seats, entertainment, connectivity and more. Here are some highlights.
Moving Maps and much more coming to Vistara’s long-haul fleet
As India’s Vistara begins its long-haul operations it will bring a new inflight entertainment ecosystem to the passenger cabin. Perhaps even more interesting is the bit that will be included that were not included in the press release.
JetBlue selects Thales AVANT for A220 IFE
JetBlue’s A220-300 fleet will bring a new passenger experience to the airline. But it will do so with familiar partners. The carrier announced today that the planes will fly with the Thales AVANT inflight entertainment (IFE) solution on board. Delivery for the first of seventy A220s to the carrier is due in 2020.
Viasat extends its SAS reach with long-haul planes
Viasat’s high-speed inflight wifi connectivity will soon fly farther on SAS. The two announced a deal at APEX EXPO this week for two new types to be retrofitted with the Ka-band connectivity solution. Unlike the current short/mid-haul SAS fleet these planes are intended to fly transatlantic routes with the Viasat hardware on board.
EL AL brings USB-C in-seat power online
The first EL AL 737-800 aircraft returned to service with USB-C power installed throughout the cabin. This makes the carrier one of only a handful of airlines with the newer power systems installed on board. The solution, provided by Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems, will be progressively retrofit on to the other 14 aircraft in the […]
Cabin-wide Bluetooth audio to fly in 2021
It is a product years in the making, with mentions at multiple prior trade shows. This week, for the first time, Safran confirmed that its Bluetooth headphones pairing solution will fly cabin wide on Lufthansa and ANA starting in 2021(ish).
Trying to make sense of the new WOW Air plans
As detials on the new WOW Air plans emerge the business model remains an interesting proposition. With a heavy focus on cargo in a softening market and premium passenger experiences with low fares it is unclear how this company will truly deliver for its investors.
Gogo makes a China 2Ku play
Airlines in China find themselves spoiled for choice when it comes to picking an inflight connectivity solutions provider. Gogo (re)joins that party with an announcement this week that it will partner with APT Mobile Satcom Limited (APSATCOM) in selling its 2Ku connectivity solution in the country.
Mitsubishi scores a SpaceJet 100 order in the US regional market
Mitsubishi Aircraft (probably) has a US-based customer for its SpaceJet M100 regional jet.
Air Canada confirms Thales as 737 MAX WiFi provider
The news was not particularly secret. Still, confirmation proved elusive until today. Air Canada now affirms its selection of Thales as the inflight wifi provider on its 737 MAX fleet.