JetBlue promised it would take delivery of its first A220 in 2020 and it beat the deadline by mere hours, with an evening ferry flight from Mobile to JFK on New Year’s Eve.
in-seat power
Uganda Airlines shows off cabin, content plans for A330neo fleet
With delivery of its new A330-800neo aircraft imminent, Uganda Airlines is ready for travelers to learn what the in-flight passenger experience will be like as it launches intercontinental services. The Airspace design elements from Airbus are evident throughout the cabin, as expected for a new delivery. The A zone on board features Stelia‘s Opal business […]
Stagnation displaces Astronics’ recovery resurgence hope
The summer looked good for Astronics. The company saw green shoots of a recovery and was ready to resume its production of components for aircraft manufacturers and interiors suppliers. But as the summer came to a close so did that hope of a quick return to 2019 levels of production. And with the 737 MAX still grounded the company finds itself in what CEO Peter Gundermann describes as a “pretty tough” place.
MEA takes first A321neo, brings Panasonic Avionics WiFi on board
With delivery of its first A321neo last week Middle East Airlines (MEA) launches a new generation of inflight services. The carrier’s nine A321neo aircraft include personal seat-back entertainment screens and will be the airline’s first ever to offer inflight wifi connectivity on board. Panasonic Avionics was selected to provide these services.
COMAC delivers for three new ARJ21 operators
China’s COMAC added a trio of new airline operators for its ARJ21-700 aircraft over the weekend. China Eastern, China Southern, and Air China each took delivery of their first aircraft during a joint ceremony. And, still, COMAC’s grand ambitions to challenge Western manufacturers remains years away.
Burrana launches RISE, a new inflight entertainment (and more) platform
Launching an entirely new inflight entertainment platform is no small task. Doing in the face of a massive market retrenchment and global budget cuts adds to the difficulty. But Burrana is up to the challenge, introducing its RISE platform this week, with plans to deliver a new approach to the single-aisle market that is faster, lighter, and less expensive than the competition.
Air Canada launches all-premium service on key routes
Air Canada is bringing premium seats on two key business markets, reducing passenger density on board as it slowly increases service levels.
Astronics feels the pain of production, retrofit slowdowns
As a key supplier of systems for commercial aircraft production and retrofit work it is no surprise that Astronics will see a significant hit to its revenue in 2020. The company is not providing formal guidance, but in its quarterly earnings call this week CEO Peter Gundermann spoke to some of the numbers and just how bad the situation looks.
Vistara takes delivery of first 787-9, plans long-haul expansion
India’s Vistara took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 twin-aisle jet over the weekend, kicking off its expansion into long-haul service. The aircraft is the first of six Dreamliners expected to join the fleet through the end of 2021 as the carrier seeks new intercontinental destinations.
Goodbye Waterski, hello IFE on the E145s: United shakes up its regional operations
The Embraer E145 inflight experience is set to improve on United Airlines. The carrier will add streaming IFE on board, helping keep passengers entertained on its smallest aircraft.