SES and Yahsat have more capacity in the sky thanks to an Arianespace launch last night. The launch suffered from anomalies after the second stage ignition and the satellites were not inserted where initially expected, though both companies report control of their assets.
in flight
Thales, HNA Group deal, but will it really fly?
Thales is the latest IFE/C vendor to partner with Chinese conglomerate HNA Group to deliver entertainment and connectivity services on board. But will they really fly? Concerns about the financial stability of HNA raise significant concerns about the long-term viability of the offerings.
GOL, Gogo add live TV service
More live TV is now flying in South America. Brazilian airline GOL and Gogo agreed to launch Gogo TV this year on the carrier’s fleet of 119 737s.
More bandwidth, more blocking to improve the Panasonic inflight connectivity experience
Calling it a next generation network may be a slight stretch but Panasonic Avionics is making some changes to how it delivers inflight connectivity. Adding bandwidth is the (relatively) easy part. Blocking the updates no one needs on a plane is harder but also a potentially more significnat improvement to the passenger experience.
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Iberia activates 2Ku, delivers faster inflight connectivity
Iberia’s faster inflight internet service is now flying. The Gogo 2Ku service recently activated on multiple aircraft, delivering a significant upgrade for passengers on board.
ANA brings free internet to flights
Looking for free inflight internet connectivity? Japan appears the place to be. ANA will add free internet service on the bulk of its domestic fleet in 2018, delivering more connectivity on more domestic routes than any other carrier in Japan.
Delta’s massive new aircraft order is not all about the planes
Delta and Airbus announced a deal today for at least 100 new A321neo aircraft to be delivered in the first half of the next decade. And, believe it or not, the most significant factor in that decision might not be the planes.
PR: ViaSat-2 reaches orbital slot, begins data transmissions
Viasat is one step closer to bringing significantly more Ka-band capacity to the Americas. The new ViaSat-2 satellite successfully reached its orbital slot and is moving through the testing phase, with EIS still projected for February 2018.
Expect the "Smart" luggage blockade to expand
The big 3 US carriers don’t want your “smart” suitcase in the cargo hold. Expect more carriers to join that effort in the coming days based on comments made this week at the IATA Global Media Day.
Crushing an upstart travel industry in the name of safety
Your fancy new suitcase might not be welcome on an American Airlines flight starting in January. The company is banning “smart” suitcases in the cargo hold if the battery is installed. That’s great from a safety perspective but also introduces a ton of challenges for an upstart #PaxEx industry in what should be its break-out holiday season.