Connectivity
Condor adds inflight internet to A330neo fleet
Condor's newest planes will fly online. The carrier added in-flight connectivity to its A330neo fleet, providing internet service in the sky to passengers via the new Condor FlyConnect system powered by Inmarsat's GX Aviation network.
Stellar Blu, Satcom Direct partner for BizAv LEO services
Business aviation solutions provider Satcom Direct will serve as the preferred provider for Stellar Blu's Sidewinder antenna systems as the companies roll out the next generation of inflight connectivity for business jets. The Stellar Blu Sidewinder electronically steered array (ESA) terminal will offer a link to OneWeb's LEO constellation.
JSX now online with SpaceX Starlink
The first JSX aircraft carrying the SpaceX Starlink inflight internet service entered service last week. The carrier confirmed that the FAA certification for the installation was received earlier in the week and SpaceX noted that the kit is active.
In-Flight Entertainment
Air Canada adds live television on board
Live news and sports is now flying on Air Canada. The carrier is adding six channels of Canadian television, in English and French, to its inflight entertainment package, powered by Panasonic Avionics and Intelsat 2Ku.
British Airways brings Paramount+ on board
British Airways will offer content from streaming video provider Paramount+ on board its long-haul fleet. The partnership offers passengers access to an increased range of entertainment content, but stops a step short of bringing true streaming to all passengers on board.
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Cabin Design
Thompson Aero brings crash testing in-house
Thompson Aero Seating will bring the dynamic testing (a/k/a crash testing) of its seating solution in-house. The company will develop and operate a world-class Dynamic Test Facility (DTF) in Northern Ireland.
Porter Air bringing premium economy(ish) to E195-E2 fleet
Porter Air will add an almost premium economy offering, dubbed PorterReserve, as part of its E195-E2 product launch. The offering will be one of three seating options on board the carrier's first jets, and include other benefits in the terminal and on board as well.
Loyalty
SkyMiles Loyalty: Measured in Credit Cards
It is no secret that US airline loyalty programs drive the bulk of their profits from co-brand credit card relationships. And with Delta Air Lines' latest decision to remove a key SkyTeam benefit from its members, the program's transition to a credit card loyalty offering is arguably complete.
JetBlue revamps TrueBlue Mosaic elite status program
JetBlue is very much not the same airline it was a decade ago when the its Mosaic program launched. And now the elite status portion of the company's TrueBlue loyalty program will change, reflecting the carrier's evolution as well as shifts in the overall airline loyalty market.
Other Industry News
Frontier eliminates phone support for customers
A call to the former customer-service number has a message directing customers to FlyFrontier.com, the mobile app and a chat service.
Singapore Airlines Looks to Thai Airways to Expand Southeast Asia Partner Network
Singapore Airlines plans a partnership with its long-troubled neighbor Thai Airways, in a strategic move that comes just days after it revealed plans to take a 25 percent stake in an upsized Air India.