Can something as simple as a hanger change the inflight passenger experience? KLM aims to find out as it deploys a new model, designed and build by Kaelis, in the closets of its World Business Class cabins.
PaxEx
Vistara aims for inflight wifi service with Nelco
Vistara is making a bid to be the first Indian airline with inflight connectivity installed. The carrier is reportedly partnering with Nelco, a local satellite services provider, to bring the service online. Neither party is confirming the deal, though Indian regulators confirmed that applications were processed and permits issued.
ZIPAir brings a basic cabin configuration to life
Fully flat beds are coming to the Asian LCC market in mid-2020. But that’s about the only thing exciting in the new ZIPAir cabin configuration unveiled last week. And some of the finer details straddle the line between disappointing and concerning.
Gilat delivers a successful Ka-band ESA test flight with Honeywell, Telesat
Finally some good news worth celebrating in the ESA space. Gilat’s new kit went flying on Honeywell’s 757 and successfully linked with a Telesat GEO Ka-band satellite.
Wheelchair accessibility regulations to be updated with Department of Transportation proposal
The US Department of Transportation is finally poised to take action related to wheelchair-bound passengers on single-aisle aircraft. While any progress is good news, the limited scope of this effort leaves much to be desired.
Bamboo Airways (maybe) delivers the "value" carrier promise
Bamboo Airways (mostly) operates a fleet of single-aisle Airbus A320 family planes. It is a mishmash of configurations and arrangements. Still, it is a mostly positive experience on board, one that makes flying with Bamboo pleasurable.
An electrified experience: PaxEx Update – 13 Dec 2019
Electric aircraft are really real and the Embraer E2 family is complete. Plus a ton of good news for Airbus and an incremental eventual win for inflight connectivity.
Panasonic Avionics confirms Eutelsat 10B as second XTS satellite partner
Panasonic Avionics (PAC) plans a significant boost to its Ku-band satellite capacity from 2022. The company confirmed a contract for multiple gigahertz of capacity on both multi-beam payloads of the Eutelsat 10B satellite slated for launch in three years.
PaxEx Update: FTE Asia edition
AirAsia is (still) making big moves in the ASEAN region and digital bag tags are evolving to a level that might be useful soon. Plus some news on IFE/C going active and getting profitable. The 2019 Future Travel Experience Asia was a great show and these are just a few of the highlights.
EL AL expands connectivity partnership with Viasat
Add another half dozen planes to the backlog, and a new type for Viasat’s inflight connectivity platform. EL AL will fit its 777 fleet with the Ka-band wifi service in the coming year.