No one likes to admit it, but every now and then a deal signed to deliver services for an airline turns sour. But those failures are also typically managed privately, and with minimal sniping between parties. When that veil of propriety is pierced, however, things get interesting in a hurry.
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Rolling delays hit inflight connectivity over China
When it comes to inflight connectivity growth opportunity China is hard to ignore. It is a massive market, but one with almost no short-haul aircraft carrying Wi-Fi hardware on board. And despite repeated promises that the online world is finally ready to imminently take flight, at least one supplier is finally backing off the hype and recognizing significant additional delays in getting its systems off the ground.
Testing the next step for LEO-based IFC
On Monday afternoon a CRJ700 landed at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport near Broomfield, Colorado after more than four hours en route from Portland, Maine. Fortunately, no passengers found themselves enduring the “comfort” of that long ride in a little jet. But, thanks to the work happening on board, millions of travelers annually will soon have access to a better inflight Wi-Fi experience.
Pricing tweaks ahead for Spirit’s in-flight Wi-Fi
Nearly a year after Spirit Airlines formally launched its on-board Wi-Fi program, new plans dynamic pricing models are slated for trial later this year.
ThinKom Plus launches, with hybrid LEO/GEO offering
After teasing the details a bit in March, ThinKom formally launched its ThinAir Plus product line at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023, integrating an ESA into the footprint of its Ka2517 solution. The system touts multi-constellation, multi-orbit, multi-beam connectivity support. The ThinAir Plus terminal is also the first to offer concurrent, multi-band connectivity in a single package.
Airbus HBCplus Ku-band providers selected
Following the selection of the Safran/ThinKom solution by Airbus for its Ka-band HBCplus inflight connectivity offering in June 2022 the industry has been waiting with baited breath to learn which partners would be selected for the Ku-band offering. This week at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 there appears to be an answer.
Another regional connectivity deal is done
No one is willing to spill the beans completely, but it appears ThinKom has secured an airline launch customer for its Ka1717 regional jet inflight internet solution.
Air Canada plans more free Wi-Fi with regional jet upgrades
Free Wi-Fi is coming to Air Canada’s region jet fleet. And, unlike the messaging solution recently announced for the mainline flight, this service will be open for browsing, streaming, and more.
Stellar Blu secures Boeing line-fit agreement
Stellar Blu just secured a significant boost for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) platform. The company executed an Technical Services Agreement with Boeing that will see the terminal kit as an option for line-fit on the 737 MAX, 787, and 777X types, likely before the end of 2024.
ESpace snags $10 million, two new directors to boost inflight Wi-Fi QoE
In-flight connectivity providers talk a lot about quality of service guarantees. For passengers, the quality of experience (QoE) is arguably more significant. And now an upstart in that segment, ESpace Networks, has $10 million more to expand its technology platform, as the company announced its Series A funding round, led by Columbia Capital.