Internet plans for BA 2Ku reveal service limitations and advantages
Two and a half years after International Airlines Group announced it would throw its full weight behind Gogo’s 2Ku system for the longhaul f... Continue Reading
Nose to Tail
Codeshare reality check: Flybe and Air France fall down on joining up
As airlines continue to coalesce into joint venture groupings, immunised or otherwise, much of the promise of the technological advances ava... Continue Reading
BA bedding upgrade impresses ahead of full Club World makeover
The forthcoming introduction of a brand new British Airways Club World seat is arguably the most anticipated premium seat currently under de... Continue Reading
Opportunities, threats for airlines with rise of premium leisure PaxEx
Airlines are increasingly focussing on the growing premium leisure market, where more and more holidaymakers are willing to pay more to trav... Continue Reading
When two aircraft mark an interesting business class watershed
La Compagnie, the “boutique” (meaning “small”) all-business-class airline shuttling between Paris-Orly and Newark, is an unlikely survivor o... Continue Reading
“Wellness” trend expands into premium hard product at APEX EXPO
BOSTON — If it feels like only last month that you were reading about the trend of airlines boosting their offerings in the slightly woo-woo... Continue Reading
When inadequate long-haul IFE makes you grow sick of your phone
Ah Rome, the eternal city. But flying back from Rome on Alitalia with what seemed like an ancient inflight entertainment (IFE) system felt l... Continue Reading
Air NZ’s regional Auckland lounge plans highlight PaxEx “ahh” moment
Air New Zealand is upgrading the lounge it offers to passengers travelling on regional flights from its main hub in Aotearoa’s largest city,... Continue Reading
British Airways short-haul business: any hope for “fortress Heathrow”?
As the dog days of European summer turn into the cooler days of autumn, let me tell you a story about how a trip redeeming frequent flyer mi... Continue Reading
Business and first class IFE opportunity gap continues to widen
As we mark off September days to the inflight entertainment trade show of the year, the Airline Passenger Experience Association’s APEX EXPO... Continue Reading
British Airways reverses course, sprucing up Club Europe meals
If you’re a regular reader of Up Front, you’ll probably be used to me writing mournfully about the good old days of British Airways’ Club Eu... Continue Reading
Airports face challenges between flexibility and premium PaxEx
Modern international airports face an interesting mix of competing priorities, especially in the premium space. As a rule, the more volatile... Continue Reading
Tight connections drive Lufthansa automated, self-service mini-lounge
If you don’t have time to visit the lounge owing to an early morning flight or a late connection, what can airlines do to keep a premium tra... Continue Reading
A tale of two herringbones and a sleeper seat
I try to keep an eye on the Chinese market whenever possible: after all, it’s going to be the largest in the world in the not too distant fu... Continue Reading
Is “Polaris p.s.” a good idea for United’s Boeing 737 MAX 10?
This week, United Airlines’ president Scott Kirby mooted the idea of flatbed products on its Boeing 737 MAX 10. That would be a smart move i... Continue Reading
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