Is there such a thing as a comfortable airline seat pitched at 28 inches? Scant few passengers would answer that question in the affirmative, but seating manufacturers are getting creative in their efforts to make it at least not miserable.
LCC
Air Transat adds free streaming IFE with Bluebox Wow
Delivering a consistent inflight entertainment experience on a constantly changing fleet is a tremendous challenge. Canadian carrier Air Transat aims to meet that test, announcing this week that it will add the Bluebox Wow streaming IFE solution on board beginning in Summer 2019.
WOW Air halts operations; all flights canceled
WOW Air is no more. After multiple failed attempts to secure additional funding to continue operations the Icelandic LCC formally ceased operations Thursday morning.
Indigo walks from WOW Air
How many chances does WOW Air get to survive? Indigo Partners walked away this week, leaving significant uncertainty over the future of the carrier. Further clarity is expected by Monday.
Bonds remain a sticking point for WOW’s future
Can $75 million in loans and direct investment save WOW Air? That’s the amount Indigo Partners appears set to invest, with a lot of strings attached. Interim cuts might keep the carrier alive while it waits to learn of its future.
FlyArystan: Kazakhstan’s newest LCC is formed
Say hello to FlyArystan, the world’s newest low cost carrier. The airline officially came into existence today, with parent company Air Astana announcing its formation and plans. The carrier will start with four A320 aircraft in 2019, with plans to fly 15 frames by 2022. Route details remain unclear but domestic operations in Kazakhstan and shorter international routes are the initial targets.
Sun Country cuts premium seats, loyalty in quest for higher revenue
Sun Country’s pivot to a ULCC continues unabated. More than a year after the carrier announced plans for a new approach to the market the changes continue. Up next: further cabin reconfiguration and a revamp of the loyalty and co-brand credit card strategy that seem unlikely to make many customers happy.
Primera halts operations effective immediately
Primera Air’s Transatlantic LCC efforts sank the company. Small but stable in delivering European charter services, the carrier sought something more. It wanted the grandeur of being a transatlantic operator. Instead it is closing up shop tonight.
JetBlue goes Basic, plans fare families revamp
Is there such a thing as humanity in the Basic Economy world? JetBlue is planning a new suite of fare families to include a more basic option, while also maybe fixing the more expensive options, too.
SpiceJet launches streaming IFE solution fleet-wide
More than a year after committing to the platform SpiceJet rolled out its inflight entertainment offering today. The BYOD streaming solution, branded SpicEngage, offers, video content, games, reading options and more. Passengers access the system using their own mobile devices. The system, based on Lufthansa Systems’ BoardConnect platform is available fleet-wide, covering both 737 and Q400 aircraft.