Payment friction remains a significant barrier to getting passengers online with inflight connectivity solutions. One Indian mobile phone provider hopes to ease that burden with new roaming plans focused specifically on the market. Jio announced new plans this week where subscribers can roam on board 22 airlines using a data package tied to their phone bill.
Panasonic Avionics
Panasonic Avionics’ Welcome Aboard Collection offers improved cabin safety designs
Passengers and airlines alike have different priorities these days. With those new needs in mind Panasonic Avionics (PAC) reviewed its broad range of offerings, pulling together a focused set of services and products dubbed the Welcome Aboard Collection to help airlines navigate the shifting landscape and reinforce customer confidence.
Vistara launches inflight wifi service on Dreamliner fleet
After years of promises and product evolution Vistara’s service from Delhi to London on the 787-9 will deliver a major milestone for the inflight connectivity industry. Inflight wifi service will fly on an Indian airline tonight for the first time, powered by Nelco and Panasonic Avionics
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.
Gogo confirms "extensive" discussions to sell commercial airline inflight connectivity business
For more than two years Gogo teased the idea of splitting the company between its Commercial (airline) and Business (private) Aviation segments. The rumblings ebb and flow, but by mid-July the tone of the conversation was undeniable. Now the company confirmed the news. Gogo has retained outside advisors to assist with the formal process to “evaluate our strategic options” for the business.
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.
Panasonic Avionics appoints Joe Bentley as CTO
Panasonic Avionics has a new Chief Technology Officer. The company announced that Joe Bentley will fill the role vacated by David Bartlett in January. Bentley’s career at PAC begins today.
American Airlines takes control with new WiFi portal launch
American Airlines completed its inflight connectivity systems upgrade last year and now is taking that more difficult step, harmonizing the login portal for its passengers. An updated, unified interface deploys on the Viasat and Gogo-fitted aircraft this month.
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.
Connections and Connectivity: The Weekly Wrap
This week we’re talking about a big new partnership connecting passengers JetBlue and American Airlines, as well as how Middle East Airlines will be getting connected with Panasonic Avionics.