Looking to catch up on passenger experience news in recent days? I’ve got a fun new video series with Maryann Simson from APEX Media and we’re covering all the top headlines.
inflight entertainment
COVID crushing inflight connectivity: Part 2
Airlines have plenty of reasons to be concerned as the cashflow crunch threatens their survival. So too, however, do the many smaller suppliers that deliver services to those airlines. What was mild trepidation at the beginning of the year, generally tied to the 737 MAX grounding is now, in some cases, a full-on threat to the survival of these businesses. And, unlike the airlines, these suppliers generally do not have the luxury of bailout funding from the federal government.
In part two of this report we explore the impact on Viasat, Thales, Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics.
Linstol takes over Phitek’s premium headphones product line
Premium inflight headphones have a new home in the market. Phitek/Ampehnol, developer of a leading line of noise-cancelling headphones and a unique, magnetic jack that reduces damaged gear, licensed its offerings to Linstol for future production and distribution.
COVID crushing inflight connectivity: Part 1
This was supposed to be a year of recovery and free cash flow and all sorts of other good news for an industry that spent the better part of the last decade hemmorhaging cash in search of market share. Turns out the global health pandemic cares not for borders nor those plans. Welcome to part one of a deep dive into the inflight connectivity world and the suppliers affected by this recent turn.
Display Interactive, Eclipse Global Connectivity team up to take on China
As the inflight connectivity world continues to mature one market remains ever so slightly out of reach for suppliers: China. Eclipse Global Connectivity and Display Interactive are teaming up to launch a new venture based in Shanghai, with plans to capture that markes as “an integral part of the Chinese IFEC ecosystem.”
Immfly to take over inflight portal management for IAG airlines
For inflight connectivity, entertainment and commerce the portal is king. IAG and Immfly are teaming up to give the portal a boost across their fleet.
United brings in-seat IFE back to the high density 777s
United Airlines is bringing a new version of its highest capacity aircraft to the skies with a notable improvement for economy class passengers: in-seat entertainment screens. And how the company pulled it off is an interesting recycling lesson.
Qatar Airways brings Inflight VR on board
Some Qatar Airways business class passengers have a new option for inflight entertainment. The carrier is operating a limited number of flights with virtual reality headsets from Inflight VR this month.
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.