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.
American Airlines
American launches Flagship Suites, retires Flagship First
Flagship First Class is dead. Long live the Flagship Suite. American Airlines will introduce a new Flagship Suite seat to its long haul fleet from 2024. With that move, the carrier’s Flagship First class cabin will be no more.
American Airlines buys in to Boom, despite significant uncertainties
American Airlines is the second US carrier to sign with Boom Supersonic. The airline plans for 20 Overture deliveries, plus another 40 options.
Intelsat goes multi-orbit with OneWeb LEO option for airlines
Commercial airlines will soon have another option for in-flight connectivity (IFC) delivered via low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Intelsat secured a global distribution partnership with OneWeb, allowing for the development of a multi-orbit offering. The partnership builds on Intelsat’s extensive IFC experience and existing geo-stationary (GEO) satellite service, augmented with the OneWeb LEO constellation.
US airlines delivering less efficient operations
A review of employment numbers and schedules suggests the airlines are up to 20% less efficient than in 2019 on a per-employee basis.
Back in Business: A transcon trip in the American Airlines A321T
Is $50/hour a fair price to pay for upgrading to a business class seat? American Airlines suggested that price to me last week, and after a long couple days of work north of Los Angeles I took the offer. With a transcon flight home ahead, I figured the extra space and comfort would be worthwhile. It was a pleasant and comfortable trip, though the A321T fleet is starting to show its age.
Spirit takes a pass on JetBlue’s buyout offer
Spirit Airlines sees a merger with JetBlue as unattainable. Not for lack of interest, mind you. JetBlue’s cash offer of $3.6 billion still stands. But doubts around the likelihood of regulatory approval have Spirit’s Board of Directors recommending that it continue to move forward with the previously planned Frontier merger instead. Assuming even that can get past regulators.
American selects suites for new 787-9 design
American Airlines plans a dramatic revamp to its 787-9 fleet. The carrier will introduce new premium cabin seats on board, including sliding door suites, according to documentation shared with employees.
JetBlue proposes a Spirit buyout, besting Frontier’s bid
JetBlue finally formally announced its long-anticipated service between Boston and London to launch this summer. And, in a twist no one really expected, that turns out to be the smaller news item for the carrier this week. The New York Times reports that JetBlue made a $3.6bn stock offer for Spirit Airlines, besting the deal announced by Frontier in February.
RIP E500s: American retires short-haul upgrade credits
American Airlines is killing off AAdvantage 500-mile upgrade credits. Effective from Wednesday, March 2, 2022, all elites will have access to unlimited upgrades.