Air4All and Delta Flight Products (DFP) have cooperated to develop a prototype seat that allows powered wheelchair to remain in their own wheelchairs for the entire journey. Much work remains before it might take flight, but this is the most significant progress in accessibility travel in decades.
Aircraft Interiors Expo
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.
Collins brings galley inserts online with low-cost retrofit option
Is the aircraft cabin finally ready to report its health autonomously? Collins Aerospace believes the answer is a resounding yes, with the introduction of a low-cost retrofit solution which allows galley inserts to automatically transmit data in real-time from the aircraft to maintenance operations.
Unum Two launches as forward-facing business class option
Unum Two is ready to fly. The new forward-facing, lie-flat, direct aisle access business class seat was introduced at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Hamburg, joining the Unum One herringbone design in the company’s portfolio.
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.
Aurora single-aisle lie-flat business class seats unveiled by Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace joins the ranks of seating manufacturers with a lie-flat option for single-aisle business class cabins. Dubbed Aurora, the new design was unveiled at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Hamburg this week.
Recaro’s Xtend option allows exit row legroom shrink
There are scant few areas in an economy class cabin where leg room is a guaranteed amenity. At the over-wing exit row passengers are guaranteed a bit of extra space, but even that benefit may now be coming to an end, thanks to Recaro’s Xtend exit row seating option.
Hughes signs on as OneWeb partner, launches new IFC options for airlines
Hughes Network Systems is not new to the inflight internet world. But the company is getting more aggressive in its pitch to airlines. Hughes is now a global distribution partner of OneWeb’s LEO constellation services. The deal was announced this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023.
Jazeera saves weight, increases cabin capacity with Expliseat TiSeat E2
Jazeera Airways plans to save a lot of fuel flying its existing A320/A321 fleet with a cabin refresh. The carrier is the launch customer for the Expliseat TiSeat E2 on the A320 family, saving roughly 1,200 kilograms per aircraft which it expects will translate to a half million liters per year.