Connectivity
Gogo prices new debt, anticipates huge savings
Gogo announced its long-awaited debt refinancing deal, a move that should deliver huge savings for the company. The restructured funding allows the company to retire a billion dollars of high-interest debt, reducing both the total leverage and the rate paid.
KLM launches short-haul in-flight connectivity with Viasat
KLM's short-haul WiFi service went live this week, just under six months after the carrier announced plans to update the fleet. The first two aircraft with the Viasat Ka-band satellite connectivity officially activated for passengers, with a free week before the regular, three-tier pricing plans kick in.
Jet Edge upgrades to Gogo Business Aviation Streaming Wi-Fi
Business jet operator Jet Edge plans to outfit its full fleet of super-mid Challenger and large Cabin Gulfstream aircraft with the Gogo Business Aviation AVANCE L5 offering. In addition to the upgraded on-board hardware the solution will support streaming video solutions for passengers.
Cabin Design
EVA to retire "Hand in Hand" Hello Kitty livery
As EVA Air maps its post-pandemic recovery one thing is clear: Flying will be a little less kawaii. The carrier will retire its "Hand in Hand" Hello Kitty livery on 15 May 2021, returning it to the standard EVA paint scheme.
M-Flex seeks certification to enter service
Two years ago Collins Aerospace introduced the M-Flex™ Duet galley monument. Now the company is seeking approval from the FAA to install the system on wide-body aircraft.
Drinks coming back on American Airlines
Beverages are back! American Airlines is phasing beverage service back into its operations as travel demand rebounds and the number of vaccinated passengers continues to increase. The new policy begins on 1 May 2021, with full beverage service returning in all domestic premium cabins.
Other Industry News
JetBlue, American extend alliance growth plans in Boston, NYC
Slots are swapping. Routes are growing. And JetBlue is about to venture into uncharted territory. Phase two of the North East Alliance with American Airlines brings much of the change we were promised back in February, plus a few extra bits to digest.
Hawaii’s big summer: More flights, bigger planes
Travelers looking to visit Hawaii this summer will have plenty of flight options. Airlines expect high demand to the islands and everyone wants to cash in. More than 1100 weekly flights from the mainland are slated to operate in June 2021.
United adds Europe routes in hopes of a recovery
United Airlines added a trio of routes to Europe for the upcoming Summer season, banking on borders reopening and vaccinated passengers being able to vacation. Additional capacity to Croatia, Iceland and Greece is planned starting in July.
Airbus fully integrates its aerostructure business
They're already owned by Airbus, but operate vaguely at arm's length. Now these aerostructures businesses will integrate into the parent company operations directly, streamlining development processes.
Oh, and there's the part where Spain is still on the outside looking in.
Turkish scales back MAX fleet plans
Turkish Airlines is the latest carrier to adjust its 737 MAX order book, and the news is not good for Boeing nor the myriad interiors and IFE/C suppliers.
The carrier's restructured order includes cancelations, conversion to options, and deferral of future deliveries for the single-aisle aircraft.