Connectivity
Vietnam Airlines plans short-haul WiFi service
Domestic flights across Vietnam will have internet service in the near future. Vietnam Airlines confirms its intentions to add in-flight connectivity to its domestic fleet. The news is part of a strategic alliance with local telco Viettel and will be delivered through an air-to-ground (ATG) network.
NetForecast launches airline WiFi service monitoring tool
Can airlines deliver a better in-flight connectivity experience if they better understand how the passenger networks are performing? That's a major goal for NetForecast and its QMap® Inflight Internet Experience Monitoring service.
Panasonic Avionics boosts China capacity with APSTAR 6D
In-flight internet service picked up some speed over China. Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC) completed activation of its extreme high throughput (XTS) satellite payload via four teleports in the region, including one in mainland China.
Intelsat Commercial Aviation launches, retires Gogo name
The product will still be known at 2Ku, at least for now. But the in-flight connectivity company previously known as Gogo Commercial Aviation officially changed its name to Intelsat Commercial Aviation, less than a year after closing on the transaction.
In-Flight Entertainment
Singapore Airlines expands in-flight shopping with on-ground fulfillment
In-flight shopping took a new turn on Singapore Airlines as the carrier unveils an expanded on-board shopping experience. With a range of delivery options, the expanded KrisShop melds the convenience of on-board shopping with inventory only possible through a warehouse on the ground.
Cabin Design
Mirus adds in-house crash testing facility
Designing and building a new, market-leading seat design is no easy feat. Mirus Aircraft Seating will soon be able to perform another portion of the process in house. The company received a grant to build the largest commercially available aircraft seating test facility in the UK. The facility is expected to enter service in July 2022.
British Airways brings back on-board food sales
It turns out that most travelers do not know what they want as a snack more than 24 hours prior to their travels. British Airways appears to have learned this lesson as the carrier will enable in-flight ordering from its buy-on-board menu for departures from its Heathrow base.
Other Industry News
United’s regional future: It’s Electric!
The next 100 planes United Airlines wants to order are very, very different. The Heart Aerospace ES-19 is a 19-seat electric prop that could dramatically change how the company feeds its hubs from smaller airports. Assuming it gets past the many challenges it faces.
Frontier adds St Maarten, continues Caribbean expansion
Frontier's newest Caribbean destination is a big deal for St Maarten's tourism recovery. But for the airline it is just another stepping stone into a refocused network that the company hopes will further increase yields.
Aer Lingus UK gains operating certificate, with a limited range
Aer Lingus UK finally secured its operating certificate from British authorities, paving the way for the carrier to launch its operations from Manchester to the US and Caribbean islands later this year. But broader expansion may be hampered by the fine print in that AOC document.
Porter to join the jet era, add Embraer E195-E2 fleet
Not only will Porter Airlines back bring its core services at Toronto's downtown Billy Bishop Airport starting in September, but it will also add jet service from other hubs, dramatically increasing its presence in Canada and the USA beginning in 2022.