Virgin Atlantic reiterated its expectation that in-flight WiFi connectivity will eventually be free to passengers. But don’t expect that in the immediate future. The company is much more focused today on improving the paid take rates than transitioning to a free model.
Intelsat
Alaska Airlines’ 737 MAX takes flight, without WiFi
Alaska Airlines is the latest member of the 737MAX family, operating its first commercial flights with they type today. But passengers on board faced a bit of a surprise: No WiFi active on the newest plane in the fleet.
Intelsat plans bankruptcy exit, notes liquidation risks
Intelsat has a plan to emerge from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It involves slashing debt owed by more than half, from $15 billion to $7 billion. But the debtors must agree to those losses. If not, the company faces a more dire outcome, including the likely liquidation of its recently acquired Gogo Commercial Aviation business.
Panasonic Avionics bucks consolidation trend, dumps ITC Global
What’s NEXT for Panasonic Avionics? The company sold off its ITC Global maritime connectivity group this week, redoubling its focus on in-flight connectivity. That approach is counter to what many of its competitors are pursuing, however, raising a number of questions.
Delta picks Viasat for single-aisle connectivity refresh
Delta Air Lines is officially leaving Gogo/Intelsat behind on part of its fleet, switching to Viasat’s Ka-band in-flight connectivity offering on more than 300 single-aisle aircraft. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will see the Viasat kit installed on new delivery and retrofit A321ceo, 737-900ER and select 757-200 aircraft starting this summer.
Viasat acquires RigNet, expands satellite service range
Viasat’s global satellite mobility services offering now includes a major off-shore component. The company agreed to acquire RigNet, a provider of networking services to the oil and gas industry, in an all-stock deal that should have some trickle-down impact to the IFEC segment.
Holding the line: Intelsat sees minimal near-term change with Gogo Commercial Aviation acquisition
We’re just a couple weeks into the formal transition process of the Gogo Commercial Aviation division into the Intelsat operation, but the teams involved have never been more optimistic about the future of in-flight connectivity and the value they can deliver to airlines and passengers.
Digging deep with Intelsat on the future of in-flight connectivity
With the deal closing just a couple weeks ago Intelsat is still very much in the nascent stages of digesting its acquisition of Gogo’s Commercial Aviation business. PaxEx.Aero secured exclusive access to CEO Steven Spengler and Aviation President John Wade to discuss how things are going so far and what the future looks like for the organization.
Intelsat closes on Gogo Commercial Aviation buyout
Gogo is officially out of the commercial aviation in-flight connectivity business. The company closed its $400 million cash transaction with Intelsat early Tuesday morning, making good on a promise from two weeks ago to complete the deal in early December.
Gogo to Intelsat: Speedy Delivery!
When Intelsat announced plans to buy the Gogo Commercial Aviation (CA) business the plan called for an early 2021 closing. The pair now expect the deal to close in December 2020.