Launching a co-branded credit card is one of the major milestones in the maturity of a US airline, and Breeze Airways can now tick that box.
Main Content
Measuring more than Megabits: Inflight internet monitors take the spotlight
Passengers run speed tests aplenty on inflight internet links, but airlines need a more wholistic way to monitor their networks. And service providers are getting pulled along, whether they like it or not.
ALOFT confirm first OneWeb BBJ installation
ALOFT AeroArchitects will activate OneWeb’s LEO satellite inflight internet service on a 737 BBJ via a services contract with Satcom Direct and an antenna provided by Stellar Blu.
PaxEx Premium News
SmartSky catches a major "break" in Gogo patent infringement suit
We’re still more than a year away from Gogo and SmartSky stepping into a courtroom to have their patent infringement lawsuit heard, but a ruling this week will significantly influence the direction of the case.
Gogo 5G slips a bit, with massive install forecast
Gogo’s next-gen connectivity solution will be delayed a few more months, but the company still expects to be online by the end of the year. And it is forecasting massive install growth to follow.
Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal certification slips, production ramps up
Certification timing slipped a bit for the Stellar Blu terminal, leaving Intelsat waiting for installation on its test aircraft. But no one seems to be worried yet.
IFEC
Measuring more than Megabits: Inflight internet monitors take the spotlight
Passengers run speed tests aplenty on inflight internet links, but airlines need a more wholistic way to monitor their networks. And service providers are getting pulled along, whether they like it or not.
ALOFT confirm first OneWeb BBJ installation
ALOFT AeroArchitects will activate OneWeb’s LEO satellite inflight internet service on a 737 BBJ via a services contract with Satcom Direct and an antenna provided by Stellar Blu.
SmartSky catches a major "break" in Gogo patent infringement suit
We’re still more than a year away from Gogo and SmartSky stepping into a courtroom to have their patent infringement lawsuit heard, but a ruling this week will significantly influence the direction of the case.
Gogo 5G slips a bit, with massive install forecast
Gogo’s next-gen connectivity solution will be delayed a few more months, but the company still expects to be online by the end of the year. And it is forecasting massive install growth to follow.
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.
Airlines, Airplanes & Airports
Avelo looks to Mexico, Dominican Republic for international growth
Avelo is looking to collect some passport stamps. The carrier applied on Friday for authority to operate flights from the US to both Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
XB-1 takes flight, beginning path to supersonic
Boom’s XB-1 can fly. The “demonstrator” aircraft got off the ground in Mojave today for a quick pass through the pattern.
airBaltic "exploring" United States service options
airBaltic is looking to spread its wings further, with an application this week for authority to operate flights to the United States.
Alaska Access: A new subscription play by Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines continues its push into the subscription services model with the introduction of Alaska Access. The program promises early access to sale fares and a Wi-Fi discount among its benefits
JetBlue slashes at LAX, seeks more profitable route network
Lots of cuts are coming on the JetBlue route map this summer. The carrier will trim more than a dozen routes and close five stations as part of its push to find profitability.
Seating & Cabin
Bigger bins coming to some United Express/Skywest E175s
United Airlines has a new plan to avoid gate-checked bags on its regional jet fleet: Larger overhead bins will be installed on 50 planes by the end of the year.
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.
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.
Loyalty
Points pooling comes to United’s MileagePlus program
Pooling of loyalty points is not new. But typically it is implemented by smaller airlines and comes with far more restrictions than what United is launching.
Ads, points to open Wi-Fi access on American Airlines
American Airlines is updating the way passengers connect to inflight Wi-Fi services, including a limited free option.
Frontier’s UpFront Plus brings EuroBiz to North America
Blocking the middle seat in a row is a staple of the European business class travel market. Now a similar offering will fly in North America, as Frontier Airlines introduces UpFront Plus.
PaxEx Update
The Weekly Wrap: GX+ North America and Spirit’s New Loyalty Program
In this edition of The Weekly Wrap we’re chatting with Philip Balaam, president of Inmarsat Aviation, about the company’s tie-up with Hughes to create a new in-flight connectivity solution, GX+ North America. Plus FreeSpirit, OpenIFC, and showers in the sky.
APEX Weekly Wrap: Airline CEO Shuffles and Using Data to Manage Risk Volatility
This episode of the APEX Weekly Wrap reflects on a week of senior staffing news, following announcements that both British Airways CEO Alex Cruz and Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah will step aside, and way more.
Swanky cabins for space or safety: The Weekly Wrap
Swanky space cabins and safer airline cabins lead this week’s episode, while more options for buying blocked seats are reaching the market. Add some more nutritional food on board and this Weekly Wrap is ready to fly!
Long live the Queen: The Weekly Wrap
Some 747 farewells transitioning into possible electric aircraft growth. Plus an interview about the upcoming FTE/APEX Virtual Expo and lots more!
Connections and Connectivity: The Weekly Wrap
This week we’re talking about a big new partnership connecting passengers JetBlue and American Airlines, as well as how Middle East Airlines will be getting connected with Panasonic Avionics.