With the final panels hoisted on to a tower atop a mountain in Oregon this week, Gogo now claims a completed 5G air-to-ground network as part of the company’s in-flight connectivity offerings. It is a major milestone for the rollout, but it will still be some time before planes are flying with the new network online.
in flight
A make or break situation for SmartSky, Gogo in patent showdown
Can you have a continuous inflight internet connection, even when the link between an aircraft and the ground occasionally breaks? This question is one of several at the crux of the SmartSky/Gogo patent dispute. And as SmartSky appeals the ruling from earlier late last month denying it a preliminary injunction, this technical nuance takes the spotlight.
TIM, Intelsat team up for free 2Ku inflight internet in Brazil
Subscribers on Brazil’s largest mobile phone company network now can access inflight internet for free. TIM Black and TIM Black Família customers can now browse, message, and more on domestic and international flights operated by GOL and LATAM, thanks to a partnership with Intelsat.
First photos of Lufthansa’s new First Class Suites
Lufthansa has released photos of its new “Allegris” line of cabin seating, including the first images of the first class suites planned for its future fleet. The carrier will offer at least eight different types of seating on board its long-haul fleet going forward.
What’s under that radome?
Regional jets, for the most part, do not offer satellite-based internet services on board. The hardware is typically considered too large for the fuselage, and too heavy for the smaller planes. But it is not impossible. And another carrier now seems to be trying it out.
Can inflight Wi-Fi ever be profitable?
Airlines should not expect their inflight connectivity solutions to be profitable. At least not directly so. And Air Canada seems OK with that situation, finding other ways to justify the proposition.
Hans Airways picks its wireless IFE Moment
Hans Airways will offer streaming entertainment to passengers when it launches service between the UK and India. The carrier announced a deal with Moment to deliver the Flymingo wireless streaming solution on the carrier’s A330-200 aircraft.
Alaska Airlines adds 100K elite benefits, including free inflight WiFi
How much is a year of free inflight WiFi worth? Top tier elites in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program can make that decision, thanks to the carrier’s new 100K Choice Benefit option.
UK sees “substantial lessening of competition” risk in proposed Viasat/Inmarsat merger
Their overlap in the inflight connectivity segment could derail the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat. UK regulators announced plans to further investigate the competitive impact of the deal.
ThinKom, Inmarsat Global partner for military connectivity boost
Inflight connectivity comes with special needs when military aircraft are involved. ThinKom and Inmarsat Government have teamed up to address those challenges, with a new modem/antenna combination to support DoD activity around the globe.