Global Eagle added significantly more Ku-band satellite capacity over North America. The company signed a multi-year deal with Eutelsat for the entire capacity of EUTELSAT 139WA. Previously known as EUTELSAT 7A, the satellite provides extensive additional capacity to augment the company’s connectivity services for mobility customers.
in flight
Viasat closes on KA-SAT buy-out
Viasat now owns 100% of the KA-SAT satellite providing service over Europe. The company closed today on its purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure Sàrl (“EBI”), the wholesale broadband services business created as part of Viasat’s former partnering arrangement with Eutelsat Communications.
JetBlue’s A220 Fly-Fi: A bit different behind the scenes
Fast, free, FlyFi wifi on board every flight is a key value proposition from JetBlue. The carrier’s new A220 fleet features the same Viasat-powered satellite connectivity as the older aircraft, but how it came to be on the planes is a bit different from prior deliveries.
Personalization and Privacy: Challenges on the JetBlue A220 AVANT IFE
JetBlue made clear a while ago that in-seat screens are here to stay. The company’s brand new A220 fleet includes 10.1 inch, 1080P high definition screens at every seat. And the product improvement with the A220 is massive compared to the E190s it replaces.
But the offering also includes some privacy challenges related to the personalization efforts JetBlue is implementing in partnership with the IFE vendor Thales.
Eutelsat makes major LEO commitment with OneWeb investment
The OneWeb constellation moved significantly closer to completion this week, with a successful launch and a $550 million investment secured from Eutelsat.
KLM unveils refreshed 737-800 interiors
The first of 14 refreshed KLM 737-800s returned to service this week with a brand new cabin interior. New seats, overhead bins, and other passenger-friendly features greet travelers on board.
On board the JetBlue A220 inaugural
Since the day it was introduced the A220 (nee CSeries) was described as a game-changer for the industry. JetBlue is about to find out just how well it works. The aircraft entered service on Monday and is a solid offering on which the company is slated to grow in the years ahead.
KLM launches short-haul in-flight connectivity with Viasat
KLM’s short-haul WiFi service went live this week, just under six months after the carrier announced plans to update the fleet. The first two aircraft with the Viasat Ka-band satellite connectivity officially activated for passengers, with a free week before the regular, three-tier pricing plans kick in.
Gogo prices new debt, anticipates huge savings
Gogo announced its long-awaited debt refinancing deal this afternoon, a move that should deliver huge savings for the company. The move allows the company to retire a billion dollars of high-interest debt, reducing both the total leverage and the rate paid.
Turkish scales back MAX fleet plans
Turkish Airlines is the latest carrier to adjust its 737 MAX order book, and the news is not good for Boeing. The carrier’s restructured order includes cancelations, conversion to options, and deferral of future deliveries for the single-aisle aircraft.