Spotting 737 MAX aircraft in the air these days is relatively rare. Boeing continues to run occasional test flights, in addition to moving planes to out of the way airports as it stores new build frames. United Airlines is moving its fleet to Goodyear Airport on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona this in a move that it suggests is tied to storage needs and eventually preparing to return the planes to service. And then there's a single plane flying around northern Canada for some strange reason.
Rockwell Collins
M-Flex Duet: The new business class inflight bar
When it comes to delivering a flashy business class experience in the sky self-service bar and snack areas tend to be popular. Collins Aerospace hopes its new M-Flex™ Duet monument can convert otherwise unused space on board into a more useful and welcoming area.
Norwegian launches free wifi across the Atlantic
Free wifi will soon join low fares on Norwegian’s transatlantic flights. The carrier’s installation of inflight connectivity on its 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX fleet is underway, some 27 months after the deal was first announced.
UON takes first flight on a Saudia A320
The first UON-equipped aircraft entered commercial service this week. The Saudia A320 HZ-ASB began passenger service with the new inflight connectivity kit installed on 10 November 2019. The aircraft serves Geneva from Saudia’s hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah.
digEcor gets embedded in the retrofit market
Previously known for its tablet-based IFE offerings, inflight entertainment provider digEcor announced its first embedded aircraft systems retrofit this week. The company partnered with Jamco Aero Design and Engineering (JADE) to announce a deal for installation of digEcor’s Passenger Services Solution on Boeing 777 aircraft. This is the first step of a much larger journey for digEcor.
Avant, GX, Super Diamond for the new Hong Kong Airlines A350
Hong Kong Airlines celebrated the delivery of a new tranche of A350s this week, bringing new inflight products to the carrier. The airline’s early A350 deliveries were originally built for Azul; the current set were meant for HK Airlines all along. That means different seats, entertainment systems and inflight connectivity kit on board.
United Airlines’ new "Aspire" economy class seat takes flight
It was a busy week for United Airlines where the biggest news may have been lost in the shuffle. It isn’t as sexy as lie-flat seating but the new Aspire economy class seats now flying deliver some real improvements for passengers. And one significant drawback, too.
JetBlue’s A320 retrofit finally underway
More than two years after initially announced the JetBlue A320 retrofit program is finally underway. The first aircraft is now in the shop and will exit with at least one previously undisclosed surprise on board.
Transforming the Middle East market with a premium 737
The new flydubai business class cabin is pretty sexy. But expect more than just new seats as a couple hundred 737s are delivered with the beds on board.