Connectivity
A line-fit milestone for inflight connectivity
Getting inflight connectivity gear installed on the assembly line opens up great opportunities for suppliers. It appears that, very quietly, another vendor/aircraft combination recently realized that goal.
paxex.aero
Viasat signs JAL for Aerodocs document management platform
Japan Airlines will adopt the Viasat Aerodocs document management system to support the airline's safety and compliance objectives. The Aerodocs platform allows JAL to fully digitize documentation required for pilots as part of its electronic flight bag push.
paxex.aero
In-Flight Entertainment
Qatar Airways brings Inflight VR on board
Some Qatar Airways business class passengers have a new option for inflight entertainment. The carrier is operating a limited number of flights with virtual reality headsets from Inflight VR this month.
paxex.aero
Cabin Design
Airlines press back on accessible lavatory plans
Airlines are not keen to update the on-board lavatory experience to support passengers with reduced mobility, citing costs and limited options as part of the objections.
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Loyalty
Should Airlines & Hotels Extend Elite Status in Times of Crisis?
Elite status is more than just wallet candy. It helps airlines keep a larger share of wallet from their most frequent customers. But how should a loyalty program react when outside influences get in the way of that relationship??
traveldatadaily.com
Other Industry News
Elon Musk's latest SpaceX priorities: Starship and Starlink
Elon Musk took the stage to kick of Satellite 2020 in DC, the rare conference that still happened despite the coronavirus concerns. And his rambling collection of anecdotes was something special. Well summarized here, but only one real bit of news and that's tied to the SpaceX (non-)IPO plans.
fastcompany.com
Massive cuts, uncertain recovery timelines for aviation in the face of COVID-19
What a week. In the face of the steepest global demand drop airlines have seen in a decade the cuts came, quick and deep. The COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak will upend commercial aviation this year. The big question now is just how much, and what the longer-term impact will look like.
paxex.aero
IATA pushes for suspension of slot usage requirements due to COVID-19
Long term or short term planning? Balancing both is hard for airlines and the slot rules at crowded airports make it even harder. But IATA faces challenges in getting its members the allowances they want.
Fortunately, it now appears that European regulators are on board with the idea, though that wasn't always a certainty.
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