It turns out that most travelers do not know what they want as a snack more than 24 hours prior to their travels. British Airways appears to have learned this lesson as the carrier will enable in-flight ordering from its buy-on-board menu for departures from its Heathrow base.
IFEC
Panasonic Avionics boosts China capacity with APSTAR 6D
In-flight internet service picked up some speed over China. Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC) completed activation of its extreme high throughput (XTS) satellite payload via four teleports in the region, including one in mainland China.
Porter to join the jet era, add Embraer E195-E2 fleet
Not only will Porter Airlines back bring its core services at Toronto’s downtown Billy Bishop Airport starting in September, but it will also add jet service from other hubs, dramatically increasing its presence in Canada and the USA beginning in 2022.
Intelsat Commercial Aviation launches, retires Gogo name
The product will still be known at 2Ku, at least for now. But the in-flight connectivity company previously known as Gogo Commercial Aviation officially changed its name to Intelsat Commercial Aviation, less than a year after closing on the transaction.
Singapore Airlines expands in-flight shopping with on-ground fulfillment
In-flight shopping took a new turn on Singapore Airlines as the carrier unveils an expanded on-board shopping experience. With a range of delivery options, the expanded KrisShop melds the convenience of on-board shopping with inventory only possible through a warehouse on the ground.
SmartSky secures FCC certification
The next certification in SmartSky’s path to operations is secured. The company announced that the ground-based remote radiohead for its next-generation air-to-ground network has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.
Azul CEO talks free WiFi, sees long-term customer value
How can an airline justify a massive, expensive project coming off the absolute worst year the aviation industry ever experienced? For Azul CEO John Rodgerson, the answer was easy. “The way I look at it is when we invite somebody on board the aircraft we want them to feel as if they’re at home.” And today that at-home experience means access to fast, free, internet connectivity.
NXTCOMM scores ESA customer order
Upstart Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) supplier NXTCOMM scored a contract for its Ku-band panel solution. The company’s Defense division was selected by L3Harris Technologies to deliver hardware in support of a US Department of Defense contract.
United’s major IFE move
“We here at United do not think streaming to your own device is good enough.” With that statement United Airlines’ Chief Customer Officer Toby Enqvist upended the company’s take on in-flight entertainment for its single-aisle fleet, mapping a new path for the company’s future.
OneWeb now fully funded with additional $500 million from Bharti
Bharti Global will up its stake in OneWeb, adding another $500 million to bring the satellite company to a fully funded state with $2.4 billion infused since the emergence from bankruptcy.