Lots of cabin and connectivity news bits to catch up on as the week comes to an end…
seats
Upstarts get creative in economy class for 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards
The economy cabin is typically optimized for airline profit over customer comfort, but that doesn’t mean all creativity is lost. Here are a few upstarts looking to move the market and win a 2024 Crystal Cabin Award.
Back to basics: New business class seat designs vie for Crystal Cabin Award honors
Forget about luxury. A market exists for the most basic of business class needs: a flat bed. Two short list candidates for the 2024 Crystal Cabin Awards aim to fill that gap.
Low cost or cheap? Flying New Pacific first class
What’s the inflight experience like on New Pacific? Certainly not worth going out of the way for, but also not terrible, assuming you can get a cheaper fare.
Expliseat launches new economy class seat with Hop! E190 contract
Expliseat will launch a new version of its lightweight TiSeat, targeting the Embraer E-Jet family of aircraft. Air France’s HOP! is the launch customer.
Malaysia Airlines picks Collins, Recaro for A330neo seats
Malaysia Airlines unveiled its A330neo interiors, with seats from Collins Aerospace for the business class cabin and Recaro for economy. The new planes, with 297 seats on board, are expected to join the fleet from Q3 2024.
British airways adds free messaging Wi-Fi option
British Airways will add a free tier to its inflight internet offerings, becoming the latest airline to tie internet service to its loyalty program.
Global Airlines buys its first A380 – again
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. But startup Global Airlines is taking a second chance to buy its first A380.
Southwest shifts seating supplier in interiors revamp
Southwest Airlines will fly with new seats from 2025, part of an aircraft interiors update for the company.
Interior refresh coming for Delta’s 737-800s
Photos have emerged revealing the next round of Delta’s 737-800 interior upgrades is underway. Approximately 40 aircraft are expected to see the refresh over the next two years, with new seats and updated in-flight entertainment coming on board.