Is it possible for inflight entertainment and connectivity vendors to do business in the Middle East without suspicion of bribery and fraud? Just a couple years after securing multiple major contracts Thales stands accused of failing to pay a partner it used to facilitate those deals. More than a billion dollars in damages are on the line in the case.
IFEC
Aer Lingus packs a pair of surprises into A321LR plans
Aer Lingus continues to roll out details on its A321LR fleet plans ahead of delivery later this Spring. The LR will kick off a brand revitalization effort in 2019 extending the carrier’s premium offerings. Even as it seeks to join some parts of the IAG framework, including the (long anticipated) transatlantic fares joint venture, Aer Lingus will keep a streak of independence from its IAG overlords.
PaxEx Premium: More ZTE headaches for ATG connectivity
The on again, off again drama of Chinese telecom manufacturer ZTE flared up again this week. Reports from the White House suggest that Huawei and ZTE could be the target of a new Executive Order banning the sale of systems from those companies in the United States. It would be invoked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, allowing the president to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency. And it could significantly impact the future of Gogo's Air-to-Ground data network, especially the ATG-NG development.
Delta Flight Products brings disruption to the aircraft interior market
No longer in stealth mode, Delta Flight Products wants to own large portions of cabin interiors projects across the industry. A purpose-built, streaming IFE solution is just one of many DFP products passengers will interact with on board.
Citilink’s first GX wifi installation completed
Just over two weeks after the first Citilink A320 entered the shop for wifi installation it is back in service. Aircraft PK-GQR operated a handful of flights on Wednesday with the Inmarsat GX kit installed.
PaxEx Premium: Gogo Vision Touch–over before it begins
It launched as Gogo Vision Touch. Delta Air Lines would be the initial customer but plans were in place to expand the offering to other airlines. Those plans still exist in a roundabout way, but it no longer appears that Gogo is involved in the product as Delta carries this wireless IFE solution forward.
Singapore Airlines launches new A350 regional service with updated IFE/C solutions
Singapore Airlines pressed its latest A350 configuration into service this week. Adelaide is the first destination to see the mid-haul plane and its new Thales AVANT entertainment and Inmarsat GX connectivity systems on board.
PaxEx Premium: Grounded in the rush for Indian inflight connectivity
The paperwork is finally submitted: India is ready to get online in the sky. The Ministry of Communications issued the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018 in an official filing on 14 December 2018, codifying the rules around delivery of mobile internet services on aircraft and ships. With the new rules defined service providers and airlines can finally move forward with fitting the planes. So, who will be first??
PaxEx Premium: Delta dives in to the inflight entertainment OEM market
Can a massive airline deliver disruption in the inflight entertainment world? Delta Air Lines hopes the answer is yes as its Delta Flight Products (DFP) group formally launches its wireless IFE solution. Can a massive airline deliver disruption in the inflight entertainment world? Delta Air Lines hopes the answer is yes as its Delta Flight Products (DFP) group formally launches its wireless IFE solution. That's bad news for pretty much every other vendor in the inflight entertainment market today.
PaxEx Premium: Connectivity challenges in Brazil
Uncertainty around the future of Avianca Brasil is growing as the company faces financial turmoil. Citing an inability to strike a "friendly agreement" for renegotiating aircraft leases the carrier sought protection under Brazilian bankruptcy laws this week. The move comes on the heels of lessors seeking the return of 11 aircraft for non-payment. The potential loss of aircraft is bad for the company and for its passengers, of course. It could also see a long-stalled inflight connectivity deployment finally terminated.








