When senior airline executives are willing to trash their vendors in public that's usually bad news for everyone involved. Welcome to the inflight connectivity world, where airlines are almost as unhappy as the passengers struggling to stay online in the sky. Alas, only part of that frustration is grounded in reality.
Lufthansa
A not-quite-Basic Economy across the Atlantic
Fares are going up across the Pond. All three major alliance JVs now offer some sort of Basic Economy for transatlantic travel. The Star Alliance A++ group launched its version this week, with sales starting 5 June 2018. No checked bag, no changes and no upgrades are the main limits, though there is more nuance in the details.
Biometrics: Real value or gimmicky crap?
Is the current biometrics push in aviation a gimmick or a real improvement for passengers and airlines alike? Likely a bit of both. Let’s look at two recent demonstrations of the technology to see how the benefits play out.
Bunk beds on board: The new plan to make economy class travel comfortable
Passenger want long flights in economy class to be more comfortable. Airlines want more money from passengers. Surely a bunk beds option meets that need. And it probably will eventually. Just not this version, at least not yet. And probably not for the reasons you’re thinking.
More, better and cheaper wifi in the sky!
More planes are flying with wifi than ever before. Added bonus: It is generally more useful and cheaper, too! Some great data out in the 2018 edition of the Routehappy wifi report, released this week.
Lufthansa ups its ground game, fights EasyJet inroads
Lufthansa’s Munich operation gets an upgrade for domestic passengers and the carrier faces new EasyJet competition in the domestic market. Can these changes deliver enough to help it keep customers loyal?
Which airline is next for Inmarsat’s EAN?
Inmarsat's hybrid EAN service is on track for entry to service in 2018. Could it have a new airline customer to come along with that launch? Signs point to an interesting opportunity within the Lufthansa Group of airlines.
Details Emerge on Lufthansa’s new Business Class Seat
Lufthansa released more details on its new Business Class seat launching on the 777X fleet in 2020, plus changes to the existing offering, starting in 2018.
Lufthansa shows off new Recaro CL6710 business class seats for 777X
Catch a glimpse of the new Lufthansa Business Class seat set to fly in 2020 on the 777X fleet. The carrier shared some images today, featuring the new Recaro product.
Beyond sound bites: Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary on Inflight Connectivity
Not a chance. You’ll never see inflight connectivity on a Ryanair plane. Unless, of course, it is free and passengers’ buying patterns shift. Michael O’Leary leaves the door open to some interesting possibilities.







