Connectivity
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.
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Flying is terrible, but at least the WiFi is improving
Airlines are upgrading their service — and dropping the price.
Thanks to the Washington Post for including a few of my observations in this round up of where the industry is headed.
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True global coverage: Starlink expects inter-satellite links fully online by Q1 ’23
Key to Starlink's expansion in to the maritime and aviation mobility markets is the ability to deliver service off-shore. And in less than a year the company expects to have enough in orbit to be able to deliver coverage anywhere on earth.
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Fed funds to boost Gogo’s network refresh
Gogo needs to replace the Chinese-sourced hardware in its cellular network across North America. That's a pricey proposition. Fortunately for the company and its investors, the US government is chipping in a sizable share.
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Cabin Design
Virgin Atlantic launches "Retreat Suite" in A330neo Upper Class
Virgin Atlantic is the latest airline to offer a differentiated experience for some passengers in its business class cabin. The carrier introduced the Retreat Suite, a more premium version of its Upper Class suite, as part of the unveiling of its new A330neo interior.
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Delta confirms 737 MAX 10 order
Delta Air Lines confirmed an order for 100 new Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets this morning, the first big order announced at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow. Assuming the plane is really built.
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Loyalty
Air Canada, Emirates link up with codeshare, loyalty reciprocity
It is not, perhaps, quite the level of strange bedfellows pondered by Shakespeare in The Tempest, but a new strategic partnership agreement between Air Canada and Emirates is certainly an interesting development.
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Other Industry News
airBaltic bullish on spoke growth
When it comes to creating a new base for an airline choosing a spoke on the network is an uncommon choice. And doubly so when most of the destinations served are hubs of other airlines. But airBaltic likes to do things a bit differently. And CEO Martin Gauss believes the carrier can repeat that model thanks to airline partners and cities keen to grow a far-reaching version of air connectivity.
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Emirates strikes back, fights Heathrow passenger caps
Overwhelmed and understaffed, Heathrow Airport says it cannot guarantee safe and reliable operations without massive cuts to the number of passengers passing through. The airport proposed a cap of 100,000 departing passengers per day for the remainder of the summer to alleviate pressures. Emirates is refusing to cooperate.
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Delta, United both win access to serve Cape Town this winter
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines spent the past four five months bickering over a scarce resource: access to fly from the US to Cape Town South Africa. The US DOT managed to negotiate a solution where both come away winners.
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