SmartSky - Finally WifI that Wows

Safety

Airspace cabin display at the AIX 2023 show in Hamburg. Blue LED lights accent the large overhead bins while purple LED lights highlight the grey seats.

Airbus sounds the death knell for pivot bins on its single-aisle jets

When Airbus started developing its new Airspace cabin for the A320 several years ago, it famously selected a larger flip-up bin rather than ... Continue Reading

Two Formia recycled amenity kits are on display.
Apple leather? Delving into lower-carbon amenity kits
September 27, 2023
WHILL autonomous wheelchair being demoed at the Future Travel Experience Expo in Long Beach
WHILL autonomous wheelchairs ready to roll at major US hub
September 25, 2023
An Alaska Airlines Q400 with ZeroAvia livery on it. The aircraft sits in the hanger.
Airbus works with ZeroAvia to help make hydrogen flights take off
September 20, 2023
Two Formia recycled amenity kits are on display.

Apple leather? Delving into lower-carbon amenity kits

“Do you want to make more money? Sure! We all do!” enthused television icon Sally Struthers in the famous 1990s commercials imprinted on the minds of multiple g... Continue Reading

Comfort

An image from the FlightPath3D AI inflight companion, showing push notifications with destination information layered over the moving map.

FlightPath3D seeks to revolutionize PaxEx with AI companion

Fresh from winning an APEX/IFSA Innovation Award in Long Beach, California, aviation moving map specialist FlightPath3D plans to “revo... Continue Reading

WHILL autonomous wheelchair being demoed at the Future Travel Experience Expo in Long Beach
WHILL autonomous wheelchairs ready to roll at major US hub
September 25, 2023
A crowd of people celebrate the opening of the new Brightline route in Orlando.
US rail travel advances as Brightline opens extension to Orlando
September 24, 2023
Flexjet G650 in-flight
Flexjet to replace Viasat GEO inflight connectivity with SpaceX LEO
September 20, 2023

Connectivity

Anuvu Constellation microGEO chart and graphic

Launch of Anuvu’s MicroGEO satellites slips to late 2023

Anuvu’s plan for launching its first two MicroGEO satellites has moved to the right, with the inflight entertainment and connectivity provid... Continue Reading

Flexjet G650 in-flight
Flexjet to replace Viasat GEO inflight connectivity with SpaceX LEO
September 20, 2023
Rendering of an Airbus aircraft with satellites overhead to connote the LEO, MEO and GEO multi-orbit offering coming from Airbus.
Airbus adds Intelsat and Panasonic as MSPs for supplier-furnished IFC
September 20, 2023
A Southwest 737 MAX parked and ready to board. The aircraft is in Southwest's signature dark blue, yellow and red livery. The IFC antenna hump is in view, installed atop the fuselage. A Spirit A320 can be seen in the background. Anuvu
Anuvu touts MRO benefits of its inflight connectivity install design
September 17, 2023

Services

A crowd of people celebrate the opening of the new Brightline route in Orlando.

US rail travel advances as Brightline opens extension to Orlando

America’s rail revolution has taken a giant leap forward as US railroad Brightline opens its hotly anticipated extension northward to Orland... Continue Reading

WiFi symbol on the side of an aircraft as a passenger boards. SkyFive conducted a test of European airlines' IFC
SkyFive test campaign studies differences in European IFC
September 18, 2023
A bottle of Salon Champagne sits on the table of a Japan Airlines first class seat.
Surprise-and-delight: a new model for Champagne and other beverages?
September 8, 2023
Hondajet logo is displayed on a large wall during a press reveal.
Volato turns to SmartSky connectivity for incoming HondaJets
September 7, 2023

Details and Design

Airspace cabin display at the AIX 2023 show in Hamburg. Blue LED lights accent the large overhead bins while purple LED lights highlight the grey seats.

Airbus sounds the death knell for pivot bins on its single-aisle jets

When Airbus started developing its new Airspace cabin for the A320 several years ago, it famously selected a larger flip-up bin rather than ... Continue Reading

Cathay Aria is pictured against a dark backdrop.
Cathay’s Aria business seat tease spurs big interest
September 19, 2023
Swiss Senses Premium Economy class seating. Various shades of creams and browns give a lush feel.
Style or comfort? Swiss to offer both on new A350s
September 12, 2023
A display of purple and blue and grey woven carpets with multiple patterns.
PriestmanGoode, Lantal collaborate on striking new sustainable carpets
September 5, 2023

Nose to Tail

Air Malta A320neo is parked at the gate with a predominantly red and white livery.

Air Malta: small and unremarkable but fairly solid

Malta, the Mediterranean island nation, holds an interesting place in the world of European aviation. A member of the European Union and Sch... Continue Reading

A line up of cars wait to drive to enter the channel tunnel
To fly, to drive, or to take the train: a French passenger conundrum
September 21, 2023
The Star Alliance lounge in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is dimly lit. A large wall with artistic accents sits behind two couches.
Star Alliance lounge in Paris fails to shine
September 15, 2023
Aegean's EuroBiz configuration with the middle seat in a seat triple serving as a side table for the aisle and window passengers. The seats, shown here empty, are mostly blue with some beige finishing touches.
Aegean’s new business class: well above Eurobusiness average
September 13, 2023

Green Wing

A rendering of the Project Fresson ‘hydrogen Islander’. Image: Cranfield Aerospace Solutions/Britten-Norman

Eyeing hydrogen power iconic Islander returns to UK production

Piloted by John Britten and Desmond Norman, the Islander prototype flew for the first time on 13 June 1965. The 10-passenger short takeoff a... Continue Reading

Two Formia recycled amenity kits are on display.
Apple leather? Delving into lower-carbon amenity kits
September 27, 2023
An Alaska Airlines Q400 with ZeroAvia livery on it. The aircraft sits in the hanger.
Airbus works with ZeroAvia to help make hydrogen flights take off
September 20, 2023
Aircraft parked at Charles de Gaulle waiting to board.
EASA to help airline passengers choose greener flights under new remit
September 19, 2023

Op-Ed

Inside an Airbus A319 cabin. This image shows the overhead bins, PSUs and the very tops of the seats. Airbus is seeking to advance various sustainable cabin initiatives

Op-Ed: Cross-industry learning would boost sustainable cabin design

The aviation industry faces unique challenges in striving to transform its production and operations to ensure a greener future. IATA and it... Continue Reading

Image of an IFE screen showing that no closed captions are available. This particular content is not accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing.
Op-Ed: Why “reg-neg” pact on accessible IFE should be preserved
September 6, 2023
An autistic passenger is interacting with a British Airways employee
Op-Ed: Assessing the airport experience from an autistic point of view
August 22, 2023
Op-Ed: Sensory overload and the case for quieter airports
July 26, 2023

Lean into Aviation

Kayley Manns, fourth-year Craft Mechanic apprentice, Leonardo Helicopters UK. Image: Leonardo Helicopters UK

Leonardo UK’s Kayley Manns on the importance of apprenticeships

“There is so much pressure to leave school with the grades you need for the job you should already know you want. An apprenticeship gave me ... Continue Reading

Dana Kirchmar, VP Customer Support Operations, SmartSky Networks is pictured here in a yellow shirt.
Industry veteran Dana Kirchmar on helping women ascend in aviation
September 4, 2023
Visnakova is pictured here in a Deutsche Aircraft cockpit.
Regional aviation proves big draw for Deutsche Aircraft’s Visnakova
August 3, 2023
Esra Özatay in her red uniform standing in front of her aircraft.
Turkey’s first female wing commander seeks to inspire others
July 21, 2023
Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer, magniX standing in front of an aircraft on the runway.

magniX CTO on inspiration, electric propulsion, and unintentional bias

During my first meeting with magniX chief technology officer Riona Armesmith at EBACE 2023 in Geneva, three things really stood out: her easy, expert understand... Continue Reading