From the Control Tower
Connectivity
Singapore Airlines to make Wi-Fi free on board
Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to bring complimentary inflight Wi-Fi to all passengers on board. The carrier will expand its current offering – limited to 2 hours for passengers in economy class – to allow for access throughout the flight from July 2023.
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Stellar Blu secures Boeing line-fit agreement
Stellar Blu just secured a significant boost for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) platform. The company executed an Technical Services Agreement with Boeing that will see the terminal kit as an option for line-fit on the 737 MAX, 787, and 777X types, likely before the end of 2024.
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ESpace snags $10 million, two new directors to boost inflight Wi-Fi QoE
In-flight connectivity providers talk a lot about quality of service guarantees. For passengers, the quality of experience (QoE) is arguably more significant. And now an upstart in that segment, ESpace Networks, has $10 million more to expand its technology platform, as the company announced its Series A funding round, led by Columbia Capital.
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Seamless finalizes QoE metrics, certifies first partner
Chalk up another win in the quest for more consistent evaluation of inflight Wi-Fi performance with the Seamless Air Alliance's Seamless-Certified Service Quality program launching this week.
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EchoStar, SkyFive team for S-band dual-link drone control
How do you deliver multiple, diverse command and control links to a small, uncrewed aircraft, fully integrated in controlled airspace? SkyFive and EchoStar have successfully concluded a series of flight tests, in partnership with Airbus, to combine S-band satellite and terrestrial links and deliver that functionality.
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Viasat closes on Inmarsat purchase
The deal is done: Viasat now owns Inmarsat, completing the multi-billion dollar transaction.
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ThinKom, Kontron partner for multi-constellation, multi-orbit, multi-modem IFC terminal
ThinKom and Kontron have partnered to develop a multi-modem terminal capable of supporting multiple constellations across multiple orbital planes.
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In-Flight Entertainment
Sir Tim Clark expects IFEC, seats to help trim Emirates’ emissions
Emirates rewrote the book on what it means to keep passengers entertained and comfortable while flying long-haul. Company President Sir Tim Clark recently shared a few thoughts on what the next generation of passenger experience innovations will look like.
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Cabin Design
Turkish Airlines boosts Russia capacity with high-density 777-300ERs
Turkish Airlines sees a huge opportunity in Russia, converting part of its fleet to increase lift where others have set embargoes.
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In flight: Condor’s A330neo business class shines
Condor Flugdienst is likely the best known airline you haven’t heard of, at least if you’re an American. But that might be about to change as with a quality product on board as Condor rolls out the A330neo. Come along for the ride!
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Ethiopian plans Dreamliner upgrades
Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew confirmed that the carrier's oldest 787s are due for a cabin refresh; lie-flat beds and upgraded IFE are in the works.
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Other Industry News
airBaltic offers passenger SAF purchase option (that doesn’t entirely suck)
Many airlines offer passengers the opportunity to pay a bit extra on their flights to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the trip. airBaltic's recently launched program appears to be rather different, avoiding the greenwashing approach most others pursue.
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Norse shifts South Florida operations to Miami
Norse Atlantic will shift its South Florida operations a bit further south. The carrier is abandoning Fort Lauderdale for Miami, effective 18 September 2023.
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