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When JSX (formerly JetSuiteX) CEO Alex Wilcox took the stage at APEX EXPO last week in Los Angeles and proclaimed his optimism about the carrier’s upcoming inflight wifi service it was not much of a surprise. The carrier announced in January plans to fit its fleet of Embraer 135 jets with the SmartSky solution and the first plane was already in the shop getting the kit installed. That the service will not be live until Q1 2020 was a bit of a surprise, however. The original announcement expected the offering online before the end of this year.
The slip is not too big a deal in the grand scheme of getting a new air-to-ground inflight wifi solution built from nothing, but it is still a delay. SmartSky President Ryan Stone explained the situation, “JSX is forward leaning. They knew what they wanted and they also knew that when you’re doing something that’s new [a slip] is something that’s possible. While I’m disappointed that we weren’t able to support them launching on their 100% ideal timeframe, I am very enthusiastic about the project with them. They’ve been the most exceptional partner one could imagine for a launch partner because they want to make sure we all get it right.”
So, what exactly is causing the schedule to slip?
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Read More: SmartSky inflight wifi lives up to the promise
It is worth noting that the first JSX aircraft equipped with the SmartSky gear is now back in service and flying its regular commercial routes. It does not appear to have been replaced at the MRO with a second plane for installations yet.
More from the 2019 APEX EXPO
- Gogo makes a China 2Ku play
- Cabin-wide Bluetooth audio to fly in 2021
- EL AL brings USB-C in-seat power online
- Viasat extends its SAS reach with long-haul planes
- JetBlue selects Thales AVANT for A220 IFE
- Moving Maps and much more coming to Vistara’s long-haul fleet
- PaxEx Update: APEX EXPO
- Inflight WiFi for JSX slips to 2020
- AERQ wants to be more than just a Welcome Board
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