Delivering a consistent user experience across multiple in-flight connectivity providers is not an easy task. It all starts at the capture portal. And now Cathay Pacific has a plan to deliver a single interface for passengers, in partner with Deutsche Telekom.
Inmarsat
Pushing the Single European Sky forward
Europe mostly eliminated borders on the ground, allowing for the smooth passage of people and goods, but in the skies the story is very different. Switching between 37 service providers and 63 ATC centers results in inefficient flight routings, longer trip times, increased delays, and excess fuel burn causing surplus carbon emissions. After years of debate the Single European Sky (SES), addressing these issues, is set to move forward.
IFEC executive shuffles worth noting
A pair of executive moves atop satellite connectivity providers could alter the landscape a bit. Both Inmarsat and Intelsat saw changes this week, with one departure and one new arrival.
Intelsat sees upside in commercial aviation vertical
As Intelsat moves towards closing on its recently announced deal to acquire Gogo’s Commercial Aviation business the company faces one question more significant than the rest: How will this deal work out better at Intelsat than it did for Gogo.
Qatar Airways hits 100 aircraft milestone fitted with Inmarsat’s GX Aviation
Qatar Airways now operates 100 aircraft with “Super Wi-Fi,” its branding for the Inmarsat GX Aviation inflight connectivity solution. The most recent addition to the fleet is A7-ALC, an A350-900. Qatar Airways is the leading operator of the GX solution around the globe.v
SkyFive makes major 5G inflight connectivity progress in China
SkyFive is betting big on inflight connectivity in China. The upstart air-to-ground (ATG) network infrastructure provider recently announced a Strategic Technology Partnership with Airbus. The partnership also includes China Mobile as the local mobile telecom provider.
Connectivity: Splitsville
‘Tis the season for restructuring in the aviation world. And for one supplier a deal years in the making may finally be on the horizon.
Deutsche Telekom expands free GX Aviation wifi offering on Lufthansa Group flights
Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom, and the Lufthansa Group are extending their complimentary inflight wifi access plan. First launched in July 2019, the companies increased the number of covered customers in April 2020 and intend to keep the program alive at least through December 2021.
Cutting connections: Reviewing the connected aircraft retirements
Hundreds of aircraft rapidly retired from service. Hundreds more shifted into limbo, unclear of when they might fly again. The news no longer surprises, though some of the retirements bring about a sense of loss. For inflight connectivity vendors the impact is more than a sense of loss, however, as it maps to real revenue shortfalls with the aircraft removed from service.
The "new normal" of travel: FlightPlan survey reveals industry expectations
Traveling by air today brings a new set of challenges and concerns for passengers, but the means to address them remain scarce. A survey conducted as part of the Inmarsat/APEX FlightPlan event earlier this year reveals what industry executives believe the future holds. And follow-up conversations with some of those parties reveal how it might even get paid for.