Got Ka? That’s the question Global Eagle was asking during the recent APEX EXPO show while demonstrating the latest high-speed inflight connectivity solution it has on offer. Come along for the ride as I put the system through its paces.
inflight connectivity
Netflix wants your inflight wifi to be free, but…
Netflix wants you to have free wifi on your next flight. That’s the only way it figures you’ll use your Netflix service on board. The catch (of course there is one) is that Netflix doesn’t want to be the one paying for that bandwidth. And it doesn’t really care who is, so long as it gets credit for making your flight better.
Inflight connectivity coming to Interjet
Mexican LCC Interjet is set to add inflight connectivity to its fleet. The carrier will add Panasonic Avionics‘ eXConnect solution to its new A320 & A321 fleet starting later this year. The initial aircraft will be delivered from Airbus in November 2017, and this A321neo aircraft will be the first Panasonic-equipped aircraft to be line […]
AirAsia firms high-speed connectivity plans
Next up on the high-speed inflight connectivity ride is the AirAsia Group, firming a deal announced earlier this year to upgrade its on-board kit to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress solution.
Philippine Airlines goes GX; faster wifi coming soon
Philippine Airlines is getting a solid inflight connectivity upgrade. Inmarsat GX, delivered by SITAONAIR will be installed on a few dozen aircraft, though not across the entire fleet.
Mobile messaging to be free on Delta flights
Delta and Gogo will let passengers stay connected for free on board starting on 1 October. The pair will make the Mobile Messaging service for iMessage, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and other services available at no cost to passengers.
Faster wifi flying on Singapore 777s
Singapore Airlines 777 fleet is finally receiving some of the promised new inflight wifi systems. The first to carry Inmarsat’s GX hardware was spotted this week in Los Angeles after completing its retrofit a couple weeks ago.
Saudia, SITAONAIR deliver tighter integration on inflight connectivity
There are lots of ways to improve the inflight connectivity experience. For Saudia and SITAONAIR recent efforts focused on the login portal and creating a more seamless passenger experience. And it looks pretty slick, even if still overpriced for a connection that is probably too slow to be of much use beyond texting.
Gogo gets more cash to fund 2Ku deployments
Getting the faster 2Ku inflight connectivity hardware on board commercial aircraft is not a cheap proposition. Gogo just announced an additional $100mm bond issuance to help further finances those efforts.
Inflight connectivity remains a stumbling block in CRJ evolution
As Bombardier seeks to revitalize its CRJ product line the new Atmosphere cabin retrofit is a nice upgrade. But while the company has a solution in place for most of the passenger experience improvements it expects to implement, one major sticking point remains: Inflight connectivity. Bombardier acknowledges that the larger CRJs are flying longer routes […]