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.
inflight entertainment
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.
easyJet snags AirFi for digital inflight transformation
easyJet is the latest airline to shift its on-board retail experience to a digital solution. The carrier selected the AirFi platform as the hardware backbone to power its new inflight shopping platform.
Jetstar selects Bluebox Blueview for IFE upgrade
Can an airline deliver a modern and consistent inflight entertainment offering across its fleet without an expensive retrofit program? Jetstar Group plans to find out in partnership with Bluebox Aviation Systems.
Air Canada adds a route network to the moving map
The inflight moving map is, by all accounts, the most popular entertainment content inflight. Air Canada, in partnership with FlightPath3d, now plans to use that same interface to inspire wanderlust, and perhaps a few extra ticket sales. The carrier is the launch customer for WhereWeFly, an interactive feature allowing passengers to explore routes and view flights while on board.
Emirates picks AVANT Up for next generation IFE on A350 fleet
Emirates’ next generation of planes will show off the next generation of the airline’s ice inflight entertainment solution, delivered on the Thales AVANT Up platform. The update entertainment solution is part of a $350 million investment by the airline in the passenger experience on the upcoming fleet.
Qatar Airways picks Inmarsat GX for Super Wi-Fi service on 787s, MAX 10s
Qatar Airways is not shy about shifting providers to make sure the services offered meet its standards. That the carrier shifted suppliers on for inflight WiFi on the 787-9 fleet to Inmarsat’s GX Aviation hardware on board is perhaps even more notable.
Destination Reels boost interactivity on Southwest’s moving map
Roughly a third of the time spent in the Southwest Airlines inflight connectivity portal is consumed on the moving map. And those passengers now have some additional infotainment available. The carrier is the launch customer for Destination Reels from FlightPath3D, an immersive travel guide loaded with mobile-friendly, short-form videos for all of Southwest’s destinations.
JetBlue, Spirit agree to $3.8 billion deal
Four months after starting the conversations, and just a few hours after the Frontier Airlines bid was formally rejected, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue announced a definitive agreement to merge.
Back in Business: A transcon trip in the American Airlines A321T
Is $50/hour a fair price to pay for upgrading to a business class seat? American Airlines suggested that price to me last week, and after a long couple days of work north of Los Angeles I took the offer. With a transcon flight home ahead, I figured the extra space and comfort would be worthwhile. It was a pleasant and comfortable trip, though the A321T fleet is starting to show its age.