Kurt Hofmann interviewed Mark Schwab in Rio de Janeiro in December, where the Alliance celebrated the opening of a dedicated lounge at Rio’s Galeão–Tom Jobim International Airport. Schwab joined Star from United Airlines in 2011. He retires Jan. 1 and will be succeeded by COO Jeffrey Goh.

Turkish Airlines has chosen Panasonic Avionics to install its eX1 inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system on Turkish Airlines’ upcoming fleet of narrowbody aircraft.

Russia’s Aurora Airline has relaxed restrictions on the use of smartphones and tablets on takeoff and landing.

Southwest Airlines plans to have a fully Wi-Fi-equipped fleet by the end of 2017, and has entered into agreements with inflight connectivity providers to significantly increase the speed of its onboard Wi-Fi services starting next year.

Airbus’s Silicon Valley outpost is developing a modular cabin for widebody freighter aircraft that will provide new types of passenger experience that can generate additional revenue for airlines while making it quicker and easier to change cabins, even between flights.

Airbus’s Silicon Valley outpost is developing a modular cabin for widebody freighter aircraft that will provide new types of passenger experience that can generate additional revenue for airlines while making its quicker and easier to change cabins, even between flights.

Airbus’s Silicon Valley outpost is developing a modular cabin for widebody freighter aircraft that will provide new types of passenger experience that can generate additional revenue for airlines while making it quicker and easier to change cabins, even between flights.

Airbus’s Silicon Valley outpost is developing a modular cabin for widebody freighter aircraft that will provide new types of passenger experience that can generate additional revenue for airlines while making it quicker and easier to change cabins, even between flights.