Connectivity
Azul adds long-haul Wi-Fi with expanded Viasat partnership
Azul is stretching its in-flight Wi-Fi program to long-haul operations. The carrier expanded its partnership with Viasat to add service on its A330neo planes from 2025.
paxex.aero
SmartSky Shuts Down Airborne Connectivity Network
Some good additional details reported here regarding SmartSky's demise, first announced on 16 August.
ainonline.com
In-Flight Entertainment
Wireless IFE takes flight with Air India’s Vista launch
Air India is rebuilding its inflight entertainment offering, choosing the Bluebox platform to power a streaming solution on its legacy fleet.
paxex.aero
Cabin Design
FAA finally fixes no smoking sign rules
After decades of requiring airlines to file the additional paperwork based on operating policies from a bygone era, the agency is finally fixing its policies around "No Smoking" signs on board.
paxex.aero
Other Industry News
DOJ allows Alaska Air-Hawaiian merger deal to proceed
Tacit approval of Alaska Air acquiring the smaller carrier comes after the department sued to successfully block two previous airline combinations.
legaldive.com
Inside Boeing’s factory lapses that led to the Alaska Air blowout
Some stellar reporting here, including acquisition of unredacted documents that made the NTSB's published report. Probably more detail here on how the door plug mess happened than has been published anywhere else.
seattletimes.com
Has the LUV run out for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines?
An excellent long read into the battle over leadership of Southwest Airlines, and what it could mean for consumers and the industry more broadly.
dallasnews.com
Boeing grounds 777X test fleet after failure of key engine mounting structure
More bad news for Boeing, as the 777X fleet was grounded owing to mechanical failures uncovered after a test flight
theaircurrent.com