Interiors & Connectivity

IT & Distribution-May 11, 2016

The race for better and more thoroughly connected aircraft is picking up speed.

Chinese aerospace firm AVIC International Holding Corp. (AVIC) has completed the acquisition of cabin interiors specialist AIM Altitude from investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has selected Gogo’s 2Ku broadband connectivity for four Aer Lingus Boeing 757s, 118 British Airways (BA) aircraft and up to 15 Iberia long-haul aircraft.

Amac Aerospace has announced that three new maintenance contracts have been awarded to the facility in Basel, Switzerland.

Passenger Experience-May 5, 2016

Saudi Arabian Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation's innovative eXO system for its fleet of 30 Airbus A320 aircraft on order.

Passenger Experience-April 29, 2016

Kuwaiti hybrid carrier Jazeera Airways will be the launch customer for a new-generation broadband Internet system from Rockwell Collins, the airline said as it unveiled its 1Q figures.

Google partner development manager Max Coppin has urged airlines to be braver in their innovation, to be more enthusiastic rather than having “yes, but” attitude.

Recaro Aircraft Seating CEO Mark Hiller is seeing a big pick-up in demand for seatback power, which is becoming a basic essential for passengers.

Lufthansa Systems is evaluating the potential of joining up its Lido flight operations software with its mCabin crew app and BoardConnect inflight entertainment system to offer a connected-aircraft solution.

FAA is calling for more than 10,000 Zodiac Aerospace seats to be removed from service, citing design flaws that could cause injury if a passenger was thrown forward during a high-impact incident.

Recaro Aircraft Seating has showcased a concept seat, which is capable of reporting live operational and maintenance data.

Lufthansa Systems is finalizing preparations for its first BoardConnect Portable units to go live with launch operators Air Dolomiti and Eurowings.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a deal with Panasonic Avionics to supply inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) across the carrier’s upcoming Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 deliveries.

ACRO Aircraft Seating, which specializes in economy- and premium-economy class products, is considering a move into business-class seating around 2018.

Panasonic Avionics VP-global communications services David Bruner believes the airline connectivity market may be about to go through a shake-up.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines is seeking to improve yields by allowing economy-class passengers to bid for available premium seats.

Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair has unveiled its 2016 customer experience initiatives, which is in its third year of an “Always Getting Better” program, as it continues to improve service, digital and inflight developments.

Passenger Experience-April 13, 2016

Personal leisure trips have overtaken business trips as the pre-eminent reason for US airline travel, according to a new study by Airlines for America (A4A).

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana will retrofit Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) high-speed connectivity equipment on its three Boeing 767 aircraft from September 2016.

China’s fast-expanding HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines, has launched a bid to buy Switzerland’s airline catering firm Gategroup Holdings.

Philippine based low-cost carrier (LCC) Cebu Pacific has ordered 6,600 Recaro SL3510 seats for its new 30 Airbus A321neos, making it the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region for the new seat model.