Connectivity
Alaska Airlines Swaps to Starlink
Alaska Airlines, in a not entirely unexpected shift, will deploy Starlink's inflight internet fleet wide by 2027.
paxex.aero
Gilat Pushes Towards Boeing Line-Fit for Sidewinder
Multi-orbit ESAs got a boost this week, with Gilat announcing a $60 million order for its Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal.
paxex.aero
Anuvu Activates Astranis microGEO Capacity for Aero
Anuvu's inflight internet customers now have access to 50 Gbps of additional capacity over the United States, thanks to NuView-A and NuView-B, microGEO satellites from Astranis.
paxex.aero
In-Flight Entertainment
United Brings Full Season Apple TV+ Content In-flight
United will bring full seasons of Apple TV+ content to its cabins in a big win for content fiends, and also for Anuvu, which holds the global inflight distribution contract for Apple TV content.
paxex.aero
Anuvu to be Acquired by Platinum Equity
Inflight content and connectivity business Anuvu will be acquired by Platinum Equity, the latest in a series of financial twists for the company.
paxex.aero
Cabin Design
SWISS unveils its new SWISS First Grand Suite
For when the double seat in first class just doesn't cut it, Swiss will allow passengers to book that plus the single seat across the aisle. And by putting a curtain up it becomes a "Grand Suite."
Which is certainly one way to look at it.
aeronewsglobal.com
Delta, United sued for selling windowless 'window seats'
Getting a widowless window seat on board sucks. But is it enough to justify a lawsuit and demand compensation? United and Delta certainly will be fighting this, though I'd expect a settlement eventually.
reuters.com
Loyalty
Atmos Rewards Pushes the Burden of Elite Status Further on to the Alaska and Hawaiian Customer
Alaska Airlines' new Atmos loyalty program includes a "choose your own adventure" component. That's either great news for passengers who can pick the version that they know is best. Or, as explained here, requires a level of foresight most travelers cannot know at the beginning of a year.
crankyflier.com
Other Industry News
Southwest’s Big Schedule Restructure Caters to Connections
It is getting harder and harder for Southwest to argue it doesn't have hubs. And myriad other facets of its operations that make it so similar to the other US airlines.
crankyflier.com