Deploy quickly and work out the bugs along the way. That’s not a typical approach to anything in the aviation world, and for good reason. But for AirAsia’s GX Aviation WiFi deployment that’s the plan, even if it means some hiccups along the way, as were experienced during a recent demonstration flight.
IFEC
Astronics inks deal for deeper access into China
Doing business in China means finding a local partner to help build relationships. Astronics now has just such a deal to facilitate bringing its IFE/C hardware into what will soon be the largest aviation market on the planet.
AirAsia looks beyond the pipe for inflight connectivity value
Selling inflight connectivity packages to passengers proves to be a poor business proposition. Prices are high, take rates are low and the economics rarely deliver a return to justify the investment. But AirAsia has another plan in mind, one that could deliver a profitable version of inflight connectivity on a LCC airline.
IFE out as Hong Kong Airlines continues its finances collapse
For Hong Kong Airlines the future is very, very uncertain. Cuts continue it is unlikely they will be enough to keep the carrier afloat too much longer barring a significant cash infusion and restructuring of the business. This week it is the inflight entertainment system that disappeared.
Inmarsat’s GX-5 launches successfully, kicking off the next phase of the GX story
Inmarsat’s GX-5 satellite successfully reached orbit on Tuesday, beginning its mission to dramatically increase Ka-band capacity over Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It also represents a key milestone as the GX Aviation prodcut evolves. It is not just about the increased capacity, though that bandwidth makes the future plans easier and less expensive to deliver.
AirFi moving forward with Atlantic Airways’ connected deployment
The AirFi LEO product could (finally) be online soon. Work with launch customer Atlantic Airways is back on track after an early setback.
A new player in the race for inflight WiFi over India
The race to bring the first aircraft online in India took an interesting turn in recent weeks. While SpiceJet has talked about its plans to add the GX Aviation system from Inmarsat to its new 737 MAX aircraft other players have been less public about their efforts. But installations are underway to deliver a fleet-wide solution, potentially within a year.
Qatar Airways picks Gogo for connectivity upgrade
Chalk up a big win for Gogo as it adds Qatar Airways to its roster of connected airlines.
PaxEx Update: FTE Asia edition
AirAsia is (still) making big moves in the ASEAN region and digital bag tags are evolving to a level that might be useful soon. Plus some news on IFE/C going active and getting profitable. The 2019 Future Travel Experience Asia was a great show and these are just a few of the highlights.
AirFi streaming IFE goes live on Batik Airways
In April AirFi announced that its streaming entertainment solution would be installed across hundreds of aircraft in the Lion Air group. This week that service went live on the Batik Air arm of the operation.