What’s it like to fly on JetBlue’s newest A321neo? Come along on board as I put it through the paces.
ViaSat
PaxEx Update: APEX EXPO
Trade shows usually make for great insight into the future of the industry. This week’s APEX EXPO brought some of that to the surface, with news about seats, entertainment, connectivity and more. Here are some highlights.
JetBlue selects Thales AVANT for A220 IFE
JetBlue’s A220-300 fleet will bring a new passenger experience to the airline. But it will do so with familiar partners. The carrier announced today that the planes will fly with the Thales AVANT inflight entertainment (IFE) solution on board. Delivery for the first of seventy A220s to the carrier is due in 2020.
Viasat extends its SAS reach with long-haul planes
Viasat’s high-speed inflight wifi connectivity will soon fly farther on SAS. The two announced a deal at APEX EXPO this week for two new types to be retrofitted with the Ka-band connectivity solution. Unlike the current short/mid-haul SAS fleet these planes are intended to fly transatlantic routes with the Viasat hardware on board.
Gogo makes a China 2Ku play
Airlines in China find themselves spoiled for choice when it comes to picking an inflight connectivity solutions provider. Gogo (re)joins that party with an announcement this week that it will partner with APT Mobile Satcom Limited (APSATCOM) in selling its 2Ku connectivity solution in the country.
A setbacKa in China
Ka-band capacity over China will not expand this year as previously planned. The failure of ChinaSat-18 made sure of that. The near-term impact to the inflight connectivity world may extend beyond this one satellite problem.
United’s newest used A319 brings an updated cabin to the fleet
A new configuration for United Airlines’ A319s is joining the fleet this week. The first retrofit A319 from China Southern is now en route back to the USA as a United plane.
PaxEx Update: 9 August 2019
Another business class double bed concept, more first class on regional jets and a lot about the A220 top this week’s PaxEx news. Check it out!
JetBlue picks Viasat for A220 WiFi service
The aircraft type will be new to the fleet, but JetBlue’s A220s will have some familiar touches on board. Among them, the inflight WiFi connectivity will be delivered by Viasat. And it will continue to be free to passengers.
United Airlines wants WiFi to be free
Is the move to free inflight WiFi inevitable? United Airlines seems to think so, with plans in the works to make it a reality. Exactly when and how much remain unclear, but in today’s investor earnings call the company indicated those plans as part of a brief update on the overall product quality.