Blocking middle seats or even sitting passengers every other row is not a problem when load factors hover in the mid-teens, occasionally peaking at 30% for an especially busy flight. But if social distancing rules remain in place IATA executives believe the LCC market could collapse as a financially unsustainable endeavor.
ancillary revenue
Delta, United extend elite status by a year, adjust other benefits
Frequent flyers at two of the world’s largest airlines received a reprieve over the weekend. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines announced major changes to their loyalty program, extended previously earned elite status and other benefits. The moves are dramatic, affecting millions of program members. [A]s coronavirus continues to dramatically impact travel across the globe, […]
Immfly secures funding from Boeing’s HorizonX venture arm
It is not just an inflight entertainment company. Immfly calls itself a cabin digitalization platform and now it has some extra cash in the bank to drive its growth. The company announced this morning that the HorizonX innovation and venture arm of Boeing made a strategic investment to help fund Immfly’s growth.
JetBlue increases baggage and change fees
Raising fares is relatively hard for airlines. Raising fees, on the other hand, tends to work out reasonably well. JetBlue is about to find out just how well as it increases fees for checked baggage and phone-based customer support.
Allegiant looks to big cities in Summer 2020 expansion
Limited frequency seasonal service is the hallmark of Allegiant’s network planning approach. How well will that work as the company targets three larger cities as part of its Summer 2020 expansion plans?
Putting AirAsia’s new GX WiFi to the test
Deploy quickly and work out the bugs along the way. That’s not a typical approach to anything in the aviation world, and for good reason. But for AirAsia’s GX Aviation WiFi deployment that’s the plan, even if it means some hiccups along the way, as were experienced during a recent demonstration flight.
AirAsia looks beyond the pipe for inflight connectivity value
Selling inflight connectivity packages to passengers proves to be a poor business proposition. Prices are high, take rates are low and the economics rarely deliver a return to justify the investment. But AirAsia has another plan in mind, one that could deliver a profitable version of inflight connectivity on a LCC airline.
Avatar’s incredible, hypocritical plan to fly 747s across the USA
No, you’re not going to see a new 747-based airline crisscrossing the USA anytime soon. The Avatar Airlines dream is not new. And, despite a recent FAA application, it likely will not take flight. But it makes for some entertaining reading.
A new player in the race for inflight WiFi over India
The race to bring the first aircraft online in India took an interesting turn in recent weeks. While SpiceJet has talked about its plans to add the GX Aviation system from Inmarsat to its new 737 MAX aircraft other players have been less public about their efforts. But installations are underway to deliver a fleet-wide solution, potentially within a year.
This content is for subscribers only.
Register
Register
Already a member? Log in here
PaxEx Update: FTE Asia edition
AirAsia is (still) making big moves in the ASEAN region and digital bag tags are evolving to a level that might be useful soon. Plus some news on IFE/C going active and getting profitable. The 2019 Future Travel Experience Asia was a great show and these are just a few of the highlights.