Spirit Airlines claims to offer the fastest internet in the sky. But there’s much more to inflight WiFi performance than just the megabits.
Thales
United, T-Mobile activate complimentary WiFi on board
United Airlines is, once again, a partner in the T-Mobile inflight wifi program. The expanded relationship, first tipped two weeks ago, takes effect today. T-Mobile subscribers on eligible plans will receive access to the streaming level connectivity service on select domestic and short-haul international United flights.
Air Canada adds a route network to the moving map
The inflight moving map is, by all accounts, the most popular entertainment content inflight. Air Canada, in partnership with FlightPath3d, now plans to use that same interface to inspire wanderlust, and perhaps a few extra ticket sales. The carrier is the launch customer for WhereWeFly, an interactive feature allowing passengers to explore routes and view flights while on board.
United joins T-Mobile’s free inflight WiFi program
United Airlines plans to offer free inflight WiFi to some T-Mobile customers beginning this fall.
Emirates picks AVANT Up for next generation IFE on A350 fleet
Emirates’ next generation of planes will show off the next generation of the airline’s ice inflight entertainment solution, delivered on the Thales AVANT Up platform. The update entertainment solution is part of a $350 million investment by the airline in the passenger experience on the upcoming fleet.
JetBlue, Spirit agree to $3.8 billion deal
Four months after starting the conversations, and just a few hours after the Frontier Airlines bid was formally rejected, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue announced a definitive agreement to merge.
Thales FlytLIVE gets boost with SES-17 activation
The official launch of the FlytLIVE in-flight WiFi service on Spirit Airlines earlier this month, after a year of trial operations irepresents a strong return to the in-flight connectivity market for Thales. But the company is not slowing down now that the gear is live; quite the opposite, in fact.
Spirit officially activates WiFi, launches new pricing options
Since Spirit Airlines announced plans to add in-flight Wi-Fi services four years ago, the carrier has planned to market its offering differently than other airlines. Now, two months after completing the A320/A321 installs and after a year of active testing, the service is out of beta and Spirit is kicking off a major marketing push.
In-flight connectivity’s next major hurdle: Smaller planes
More than a thousand larger regional jets fly across North America. All of them deliver a sub-par inflight WiFi experience. But that could soon change, as multiple airlines move to upgrade the systems on board over the next few years.
Spirit Airlines completes A320 WiFi installs
The Spirit Airlines A320 fleet is now fully fitted with in-flight WiFi. With both the A321 and now the A320 fleets completed, Spirit’s fleet can deliver in-flight internet service on more than 82% of its departures and 87% of its available seat miles.