Will airlines hit their 2025 target to replace the inflight internet services on smaller planes in North America? Probably. But the sequence and timing on those appears to be shifting a bit.
Intelsat
Intelsat, JAL partner on LEO/GEO connectivity
Japan Airlines will continue its inflight connectivity partnership with Intelsat, adding service on its 737 MAX fleet from 2026. This deal, however, comes with a multi-orbit twist.
Condor taps Intelsat for inflight internet
Intelsat will deliver inflight internet to Condor’s fleet of new single-aisle aircraft. The A320neo and A321neo planes will offer passenger connectivity on routes across Europe and North Africa as they join the carrier’s fleet in the coming years.
Intelsat’s CR7 completes certification flights, returns home
After six weeks in Texas the Intelsat CR7 flying test bed is back home, suggesting the certification work for its new LEO/GEO hybrid solution is ready for prime time.
SES snags Intelsat for $3.1 billion
SES will acquire Intelsat in a $3.1 billion transaction, continuing the consolidation trend in the satellite provider space. Not surprisingly, the mobility segment plays a significant role in driving the value of the deal.
Back in the air: Intelsat’s CR7 test plane flying with production ESA on board
Intelsat’s CRJ 700 returned to the skies on Sunday with the production ready-version of the Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal installed, enabling certification of the kit for access to both GEO and LEO satellite networks.
Measuring more than Megabits: Inflight internet monitors take the spotlight
Passengers run speed tests aplenty on inflight internet links, but airlines need a more wholistic way to monitor their networks. And service providers are getting pulled along, whether they like it or not.
Low cost or cheap? Flying New Pacific first class
What’s the inflight experience like on New Pacific? Certainly not worth going out of the way for, but also not terrible, assuming you can get a cheaper fare.
Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal certification slips, production ramps up
Certification timing slipped a bit for the Stellar Blu terminal, leaving Intelsat waiting for installation on its test aircraft. But no one seems to be worried yet.
Ads, points to open Wi-Fi access on American Airlines
American Airlines is updating the way passengers connect to inflight Wi-Fi services, including a limited free option.