As the business aviation industry bounces back the need for in-flight internet services on board is proving to be compelling across the globe. And while China has generally lagged in delivering those connections on its domestic aircraft the country’s largest operator of private jets is finally ready to get online.
IFC
Another fleet comes online
Airlines are still navigating the timing challenges of how and when to return their aircraft to service. But as they do in-flight connectivity remains an important amenity to offer. And if you listen to the suppliers it is even more important now. PaxEx.Aero can now confirm that another airline fleet has wifi installed on board.
JetBlue unveils Mint 2.0, business class cabin for London
This is the new JetBlue Mint business class seat that will carry passengers to London later this year. After years of development the carrier unveiled its Mint 2.0 cabin with a unique all-aisle access, flat bed option for travelers on the A321LR fleet.
OneWeb shrinks constellation plans, expands funding
OneWeb scaled back its next generation constellation plans while also announcing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding that helps the company move closer to placing the initial 648 satellites into service.
Counterclaims and Arbitration: WSS and SmartSky continue legal wrangling
The legal battle between SmartSky and supplier WSS continues unabated. And some of the assertions in the counterclaim are spectacularly juicy.
Executive shuffle atop Gogo
Gogo President and CEO Oakleigh Thorne will fill another leadership role at the company starting Friday. He takes over as Chairman of the Board of Directors as Ronald LeMay retires at the end of the year.
Turkish Airlines completes first Global Eagle IFC installation
Global Eagle is ending the year on a high note, at least in one market. Just over a year after announcing a deal to install Ku-band satellite connectivity services on a large portion of the Turkish Airlines single-aisle fleet the company confirmed on Monday that the first of those aircraft is now equipped with its Ku-band satellite connectivity solution.
Viasat acquires RigNet, expands satellite service range
Viasat’s global satellite mobility services offering now includes a major off-shore component. The company agreed to acquire RigNet, a provider of networking services to the oil and gas industry, in an all-stock deal that should have some trickle-down impact to the IFEC segment.
Holding the line: Intelsat sees minimal near-term change with Gogo Commercial Aviation acquisition
We’re just a couple weeks into the formal transition process of the Gogo Commercial Aviation division into the Intelsat operation, but the teams involved have never been more optimistic about the future of in-flight connectivity and the value they can deliver to airlines and passengers.
Digging deep with Intelsat on the future of in-flight connectivity
With the deal closing just a couple weeks ago Intelsat is still very much in the nascent stages of digesting its acquisition of Gogo’s Commercial Aviation business. PaxEx.Aero secured exclusive access to CEO Steven Spengler and Aviation President John Wade to discuss how things are going so far and what the future looks like for the organization.