Qatar Airways GCEO Akbar Al Baker is known for making controversial statements. Now he is doing so representing both his airline and IATA, the global aviation trade group. So when he suggests that airline CEOs must be men because “It is a very challenging position” that creates all sorts of new problems.
Star Alliance teases increased award availability, new top tier for travelers
More award seats? Better elite status recognition? Star Alliance hopes to deliver both thanks to its new digital middleware platform. But can these improvements be delivered without eroding the inherent value of points or the existing status tiers??
Fiji Airways signs on as inaugural oneworld connect member
Oneworld wants to grow its route network and it is willing to take on smaller airlines to deliver on that plan. Fiji Airways is the inaugural member in the new “oneworld connect” program allows limited alliance membership and limited benefits for passengers. But locking up the new connect member airlines is a smart move for the group.
Which airline doesn’t hate its connectivity provider?
When senior airline executives are willing to trash their vendors in public that's usually bad news for everyone involved. Welcome to the inflight connectivity world, where airlines are almost as unhappy as the passengers struggling to stay online in the sky. Alas, only part of that frustration is grounded in reality.
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Singapore Airlines brings back the nonstop to Newark
Singapore Airlines is reclaiming the role as operator of the world’s longest flight. The carrier confirmed today that it will serve Newark nonstop from its Changi Airport hub using the Airbus A350-900ULR starting in October 2018. That’s nearly 19 hours on board, a trip that requires certain accommodations to keep passengers sane.
Alaska Airlines launches hotel booking portal
Extending an airline loyalty program into hotel earn & burn is a common evolutionary step. Today’s play by Alaska Airlines follows the plan pretty well, but comes up short on delivering a solid, consistent value to program members.
A not-quite-Basic Economy across the Atlantic
Fares are going up across the Pond. All three major alliance JVs now offer some sort of Basic Economy for transatlantic travel. The Star Alliance A++ group launched its version this week, with sales starting 5 June 2018. No checked bag, no changes and no upgrades are the main limits, though there is more nuance in the details.
[EBACE18] Technik’s home-grown TIOS+ triband radome set to fly on a 737 MAX BBJ
One lucky 737 MAX 8 BBJ customer will soon be flying with the newest triband connectivity radome available in the business aviation market. The sleek tailmount kit is the latest from Technik’s in-house innovation team, part of a transition the company is making towards developing more cool systems rather than just installing those designed by other companies.
Inmarsat takes EAN to the little guys
Demand for the Inmarsat EAN inflight connectivity product in the business aviation market is no surprise. And now the company is ready to deliver. The high-speed hybrid connectivity service will be availalbe to the BizAv market starting in January 2019.
AirBaltic commits to CS300 fleet growth
AirBaltic loves its CSeries jets. The Latvian carrier is set to dramatically grow that fleet. Today’s deal with Bombardier, inked just over one year since the first CS300 arrived in Riga, adds at least 30 more of the type to its fleet.