Southwest Airlines selected Viasat’s next generation, Ka-band satellite in-flight connectivity (IFC) system on aircraft deliveries, starting this fall. New 737 MAX aircraft will see the Viasat kit installed by Boeing on the factory line, arriving at Southwest with the WiFi service ready to fly.
in-flight entertainment
Air France brings suite doors to 777-300ER business class cabin
Air France plans to retrofit a dozen 777-300ER aircraft, including a new business class seat with privacy doors. The cabin retrofit is part of the carriers efforts to “move upmarket” and “offer its customers the best of France and take elegance to new heights.”
EL AL plans Bluebox WOW deployment for 737 streaming entertainment stopgap
EL AL plans a shift in its in-flight entertainment strategy, at least in the short term. The carrier signed an agreement to deploy the Bluebox WOW streaming IFE platform across its fleet of 26 737s the company ramps up its recovery.
Peek inside the Starlux A330neo
What awaits passengers on the new Starlux A330neo? The carrier recently shared photos of its new interiors, tipping some details.
Lufthansa picks FlightPath3D for long-haul fleet maps upgrade
The in-flight moving map just got a bit more interesting for Lufthansa passengers. The carrier announced a deal with FlightPath3D to implement the 3D map solution across Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet. The new service flies first on the A350, with future integrations planned on 787, 747-8i, and A330 aircraft.
Norse Atlantic’s four inaugural routes on sale
Norse Atlantic will bring its 787 “Longships” across the Atlantic Ocean beginning in June. The carrier formally launched its first four transatlantic routes, with New York City, Los Angeles, and Florida connecting to Oslo from this summer.
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.
Alaska Airlines launches $8 flat-rate in-flight WiFi
Fast in-flight WiFi. Fair pricing. But not quite free. That’s the proposition now on offer from Alaska Airlines, as it sets a flat-rate, $8 per flight price point for internet service across its fleet.
Air Canada to fly the A321XLR
Air Canada announced plans to acquire 26 A321XLR aircraft, updating its long-haul offerings. The aircraft will be used for flights within North America, as well as some Transatlantic markets, pending approval from Transport Canada regulators.
Inflight VR takes flight in China
Looking for more signs that the industry is moving into recovery mode? For Inflight VR, after many quiet months, a new airline trial of its virtual reality headsets is a great milestone to celebrate