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.
Alaska Airlines
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.
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines to deliver integrated app check-in option
How do you keep passengers feeling at home when they’re traveling with a partner airline? Alaska Airlines and American Airlines will take a significant step forward on that front in the near future. The two airlines plan to allow flight check-in on mixed carrier bookings on either app, regardless of which operates the first segment.
DOJ wins: JetBlue, American NEA declared illegal
JetBlue and American Airlines must unwind their Northeast Alliance (NEA), and quickly. The partnership was ruled a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This is, of course, bad news for the two airlines. The impact may be broader than that.
It’s the end of the kiosk as we know it, and Alaska Airlines feels fine
Alaska Airlines was an early believer in the efficiency and advantages passenger kiosks could bring to the airport check-in lobby. Now the airline believes that era is over.
Orbit makes antenna play for the regional jet IFC market
As multiple vendors vie for a slice of the regional jet connectivity refresh in the North America Orbit Communication Systems is taking an arguably more well-rounded approach. The company is now pitching its AirTRx family of parabolic antennae as “the ultimate solution for regional jets, where space is limited.”
Intelsat successfully tests Stellar Blu ESA in LEO/GEO service
Looking for the future of regional jet inflight connectivity? The seas off Puerto Rico this past month were a good place to start. That’s where Intelsat just spent four weeks testing the Stellar Blu ESA connected to LEO and GEO satellites.
Market optimism, antenna debates as the first regional jets get a Wi-Fi upgrade
Major optimism from suppliers as the first regional jet WiFi upgrades are set for installation. But there’s still lots of debate as to which solution is technically best for the regional jet market and beyond.
Alaska Airlines picks Intelsat for E175 streaming WiFi upgrade
Alaska Airlines will offer “streaming fast” Wi-Fi on its E175 fleet, beginning in 2024. The carrier plans to upgrade those aircraft, extending its longstanding partnership with Intelsat.
Peek inside Alaska Airlines’ first 737-800 retrofit
The first Alaska Airlines 737-800 completed its interior retrofit and is once again ready to carry passengers. Gone are the carpet-art cabin dividers and forward bulkhead wall. Replacing them are muted tones of blue, beige, and grey.