One of the most expensive inflight internet services is about to become massively more affordable. Swiss is dramatically revamping its inflight connectivity pricing, including introducing a free messaging tier.
in flight
Gogo 5G takes a year delay on additional chip flaws
The Gogo 5G service will, once again, be delayed. The company announced a design error which must be resolved prior to deployment. Gogo 5G is now expected to go live in mid-2024, pending resolution of the chip flaws.
Astranis Arcturus microGEO failure pushes back on Anuvu’s schedule
Satellite failures are rare. But when they happen the impact can be massive. Astranis and Anuvu aim to avoid that, while working to understand problems on Arcturus, the first microGEO satellite to orbit.
Eutelsat 10B enters service
Inflight and maritime connectivity secured a boost in capacity from the North Atlantic to the Indian Ocean this week as Eutelsat 10B entered service.
Southwest selects MOST for inflight retail revamp
Paying for drinks on Southwest Airlines became much easier in recent months, thanks to the deployment of more than 20,000 iPad mini 6 devices, loaded with MOST’s retail solution.
easyJet makes moves for pre-order capability
The next stage in easyJet’s inflight sales offering is readying for flight. The carrier has partnered with Omnevo to help develop the pre-order and pre-select offerings for its “Eat, Drink, Shop & Duty Free” retail expansion. The first bits are expected to go live later this year.
Rolling delays hit inflight connectivity over China
When it comes to inflight connectivity growth opportunity China is hard to ignore. It is a massive market, but one with almost no short-haul aircraft carrying Wi-Fi hardware on board. And despite repeated promises that the online world is finally ready to imminently take flight, at least one supplier is finally backing off the hype and recognizing significant additional delays in getting its systems off the ground.
Nourish proposes an inflight catering revolution
How can airlines offer a broad range of fresh food on board that passengers actually want, and even will pay for, while avoiding waste and the myriad challenges of airport catering services? Nourish, a UAE-based startup, believes it can solve that problem, bringing quality meals to travelers while also delivering a bit of incremental profit to airlines.
JAL plans boost for inflight Wi-Fi service
Japan Airlines was an early adopter of inflight Wi-Fi internet service on board, and now the airline is ready to upgrade the offering. The company will upgrade approximately 50 aircraft in its “domestic” 737 and 767 fleet to the 2Ku solution from Intelsat.
Testing the next step for LEO-based IFC
On Monday afternoon a CRJ700 landed at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport near Broomfield, Colorado after more than four hours en route from Portland, Maine. Fortunately, no passengers found themselves enduring the “comfort” of that long ride in a little jet. But, thanks to the work happening on board, millions of travelers annually will soon have access to a better inflight Wi-Fi experience.