From the Control Tower
APEX EXPO and FTE Global are collocated in Long Beach, CA this week, delivering a boost for attendees of the events. And World Aviation Festival is in Lisbon next week. It is truly a globetrotting conference schedule.
But there's also news happening away from the shows, especially around United's new Polaris seat for single-aisle planes.
PaxExTRA by PaxEx.Aero
Connectivity
Hanwha Phasor, OneWeb formalize ESA terminal development efforts
Another antenna option will soon join the fold for OneWeb's aero customers. Hanwha Phasor announced it has signed a User Terminal Development Agreement, enabling the two companies to collaborate on an in-flight connectivity solution. A certified solution is anticipated in 2025.
paxex.aero
Beyond the bytes: Partnerships pushing product progress
Air Canada's newly expanded relationship with Intelsat shows off the power of jointly developing not just a bandwidth map, but partnering on how that service is delivered, to the airline and to passengers on board.
paxex.aero
In-Flight Entertainment
Vietnam Airlines picks AirFi for A321 inflight update
Vietnam Airlines will bring inflight entertainment and in-seat ordering to its A321 fleet. The carrier signed a two-year deal with AirFi to add streaming content to 37 aircraft in the fleet which previously offered no IFE services.
paxex.aero
Cabin Design
United’s new single-aisle Polaris seat likely Adient’s Altitude
Who will manufacture the new Polaris single-aisle seat for United? All signs point to Adient, with United as the launch customer for the Altitude seat.
paxex.aero
Swiss pushes premium economy in A350 layout
Swiss will grow the premium economy cabin on its A350s as part of its "Swiss Senses" interiors program. The new design,will be delivered on the A350 fleet direct from the factory beginning in 2025.
paxex.aero
Making premium more accessible in United's Polaris single-aisle design
The latest United Airlines' single-aisle Polaris cabin offers up a unique design to increase cabin density while maintaining space for passengers. But it also presents a challenge for those traveling in a wheelchair. A second patent associated with the seating concept addresses that issue.
paxex.aero
Loyalty
Delta’s SkyMiles shakeup hits Medallion status, SkyClub access rules
Is the updated Delta SkyMiles program actually a simplified scheme for earning status? That's debatable. But at least the company didn't call it enhanced this time.
paxex.aero
Other Industry News
US FAA cuts minimum flight requirements at New York airports through late 2024
Citing air traffic controller staffing issues, U.S. regulators announced on Friday they will again extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2024, giving relief to airlines who faced delays because of government staffing issues.
reuters.com
Spirit Airlines Stuns with Forecast of Steep Third-Quarter Loss
Have we finally reached the end of the "revenge travel" era??
skift.com