More inflight connectivity opportunities are opening up in China. Viasat is the latest provider to make a move, inking a deal this week with China Satcom to partner on efforts to grow the market and connect planes in the region. The partnership combines Viasat’s on-board experience with China Satcom’s business license, satellites and access to the domestic market.
IFC
JetBlue confirms JFK-Guayaquil route for A321neo
JetBlue‘s plans to extend its route network will unfold in stages over the coming couple years, as it reaches deeper into Latin America before jetting off to Europe. The company’s first A321neo aircraft is due for delivery this summer and the airline has a plan for taking advantage of its extended range. Service between JFK […]
PaxEx Premium: Finding future financing
Gogo appears to have solved its most significant short-term challenge, with a $900mm debt offering lined up to provide five years of breathing room as the company inches towards a positive free cash flow.
Intelsat 29e failure hits Panasonic Avionics inflight wifi capacity
This content was available to PaxEx Premium subscribers first. Sign up now to get early access to the IFEC news that matters most. What happens when gigabits of capacity goes offline? Passengers and inflight connectivity providers alike are about to find out. Intelsat 29e, the first of the Epic Ku-band High Throughput Satellites, suffered a […]
Epic Troubles: Satellite failure slashes inflight wifi capacity
What happens when gigabits of capacity goes offline? Passengers and inflight connectivity providers alike are about to find out. Intelsat 29e, the first of the Epic Ku-band High Throughput Satellites, suffered a fuel leak on 7 April 2019, followed by a second issue on 9 April. The satellite is in "safe mode" meaning all customer-facing services are disabled as the operator seeks to address the problems. This represents a significant hit to Ku-band capacity over the Americas and the North Atlantic Ocean.
Further troubles for Jet Airways: Collapse appears likely
India’s Jet Airways continues towards its demise as the days without new funding drag on. The latest news has critical services cut off and aircraft impounded. Optimism seems a bad choice at this point.
Virgin Atlantic’s new A350 cabin delivers upgrades nose to tail
“There are new planes and then there are Virgin Atlantic new planes.” That’s the tag line the carrier used this week to introduce the cabin of its new A350-1000, set to fly at the end of the summer. The entire interior gets a refresh, with updated seats, entertainment and connectivity systems. Virgin Atlantic takes advantage of technology to refresh […]
PaxEx Premium: A pleasant surprisESA
The only official announcement around electronically steered antennae (ESA) for commercial aircraft this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg came from Gogo. And it probably was the least significant ESA story from the show. Instead, a surprise from a different supplier stole the spotlight.
United’s premium transon fleet gets a Viasat wifi upgrade
Arguably the most premium routes for United Airlines are finally receiving the inflight wifi upgrade they need and deserve.
SmartSky, StandardAero secure certification on Embraers
SmartSky took another step forward as it seeks to deliver its ATG wifi solution later this year. Certification on the E135/140/145 family, facilitated by StandardAero, brings JetSuiteX (and potentially others) much closer to flying with the service.









