Finnair Selects Panasonic For Widebody IFE Upgrade | AIX Hamburg 2022 | Bluebox Wow Selected By Aeroflyer | JetBlue’s Proposal to Acquire Spirit | ALC Orders 32 737 MAX Aircraft | Other News

FINNAIR SELECTS PANASONIC AVIONICS FOR WIDEBODY IFE UPGRADE

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has been selected by Finnair to upgrade the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems across the airline’s widebody long-haul fleet.

The IFE upgrade is an integral part of the Nordic cabin enhancements being introduced by Finnair across its long-haul fleet, including the introduction of a brand new Premium Economy cabin.

Panasonic Avionics is installing its latest eX3 system in all cabins on Finnair’s eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft – upgrading them from its eX2 system. Finnair’s 19 A350-900 aircraft, which already carry eX3, will also see their premium cabins upgraded to the latest version of the system.

The first upgraded aircraft entered service in February 2022.

With the upgrade, Finnair’s customers will experience Panasonic Avionics’ award-winning eX3 system in every cabin of its long-haul fleet, including HD screens at each seat, complete with capacitive touch displays and handsets, and USB and laptop charging facilities.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “Finnair’s innovative and eye-catching widebody cabin enhancements take their passenger experience to a new level. Panasonic Avionics is honored to be contributing to this upgrade with our latest in-flight entertainment solutions, marking the latest chapter in our relationship with this industry-leading carrier.”

Harri Valkama, Digital Channel Lead at Finnair, says: “This upgrade for Finnair reflects our commitment to deliver a premium experience in every cabin on our aircraft. Having the latest technology on board will allow our customers to stay entertained as they travel long-haul. We chose Panasonic Avionics for its innovative solutions and ability to support Finnair developed digital inflight eco-system. We can rest assured that our customers will experience high-quality, state-of-the-art systems.”

Finnair’s in-flight connectivity services are also provided by Panasonic Avionics, and the airline recently became the European launch customer for its Arc^TM  map platform.

AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EXPO HAMBURG 2022

After a 2+ year hiatus, AIX Hamburg is slated for 14-16 June 2022. Here are some of the reasons why this event is one you shouldn’t miss:

• With more than 600+ leading cabin interiors suppliers showcasing their latest products, such as Safran, Lufthansa Technik and Diehl Aviation. Including 100+ new exhibitors to AIX: Invest Northern Ireland, AED Cluster Portugal, AD Aerospace, Hilitech and many more! AIX will efficiently help you find solutions and create your future cabin, as the definitive marketplace for airlines to source new products and services.
• Visit the IFEC Zone: Test the latest IFEC products to market from more than 50 exhibitors including Inmarsat, Panasonic Avionics, Global Eagle, ViaSat and many more! Dedicated to Inflight Entertainment and connectivity products, the IFEC zone focuses on companies that deliver business solutions that positively impact an airline’s brand, fleet, operational requirements, and business.

Also, on Monday 13 June the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) will be held.

• This long-awaited one-day event brings together experts and visionaries from OEMs, airlines, suppliers, airframers, and design organizations to discuss the future of onboard environments, services, and passenger experience. Simply upgrade your ticket when registering for Aircraft Interiors Expo to attend.
• Industry Networking Party: Free to attend for conference delegates, the Industry Networking Party starts at 18.00, straight after PEC, this unmissable networking event, gives you the opportunity to strengthen relationships with old friends and new as you reconnect with industry colleagues in a relaxed setting, after three years!

NEW CANADIAN CHARTER AIRLINE AEROFLYER TO OFFER CUSTOMERS WIRELESS IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT FROM BLUEBOX

Aeroflyer, a new charter airline based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, and providing passenger charter services across North America, has selected Bluebox Aviation Systems to provide wireless streaming services across its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Initially, Aeroflyer will deploy Bluebox’s digital platform on its first two aircraft using Bluebox’s battery-powered Bluebox Wow hardware. The airline will then migrate to the aircraft-powered version of Bluebox Wow as they expand their fleet.

“Launching a new airline on the back of the most challenging times our sector has endured, meant we had to come away from the gate with the most compelling offering available. With more passengers today expecting some kind of digital service on board, it was a case of W-IFE being a ‘must have’,” said Brad Schroeder, Manager, Engineering. “Just as we work with our airline and corporate charter customers to deliver excellence, we know how important it is to have partners who excel in what they do, are flexible and supportive. Throughout the pandemic Bluebox has helped us to configure a digital platform on a hardware configuration that will suit our needs as a charter airline as it grows, with the variety of purpose required for an IFE system offering today.”

The Bluebox system will offer movies, TV programs, and a moving map to Aeroflyer’s charter customers – workers flying to Canadian oil fields, sports teams, and other corporate clients; and can be adapted to align with airline customers chartering Aeroflyer aircraft to supplement their fleet.

Speaking about securing another Canadian airline customer, Bluebox CEO Kevin Clark said: “These are exciting times as we come out of the pandemic with our existing customers returning to and enhancing their Bluebox deployments, and new airlines like Aeroflyer entrusting us in introducing a flexible and powerful digital platform to deliver a rich inflight experience from service launch.”

Bluebox’s digital engagement platform provides digital services and content streamed to passenger devices in any aircraft cabin. These include revenue generating services such as onboard retail – including touch-free payments, advertising, and more traditional in-flight entertainment, including a wide range of film, TV, audio, games, and reading material. Bluebox Wow is a discrete, lunchbox-sized unit, typically stowed securely in overhead bins, which creates the captive Wi-Fi network on board and delivers the digital services directly to passenger phones, tablets, and laptops.

JetBlue SUBMITS SUPERIOR PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE SPIRIT, POSITIONING AMERICA’S MUCH-LOVED AIRLINE AS THE MOST COMPELLING NATIONAL LOW-FARE CHALLENGER TO THE ‘BIG FOUR’ AIRLINES

• All-Cash Offer of $33 Per Share Represents a 52% Premium to Spirit’s Undisturbed Share Price on February 4, 2022, and a 50% Premium to Spirit’s Closing Price on April 4, 2022

• Travelers Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between a Low Fare and a Great Experience; Accelerated JetBlue Growth Would Allow Combined Airline to Offer Both to More Customers in More Places

• ‘JetBlue Effect’ Is More Effective Than Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers in Introducing Competition and Bringing Down Legacy Carrier Fares

• Combination Would Provide Job Growth and Opportunities for Crewmembers, a Strengthened Commitment to New York and Florida, and Expanded Reach of JetBlue’s Sustainability Efforts

• Shareholders Would Benefit From JetBlue’s Enhanced Financial Strength, Accelerating Revenue Growth and Profitability; Expected to Deliver Run-Rate Operational Synergies of $600-700 Million and to be Accretive to EPS in Year One

• Strong Confidence in Ability to Close in a Timely Manner; No JetBlue Shareholder Vote Required; Financing Certainty

AIR LEASE CORPORATION ADDS 32 BOEING 737 MAX JETS TO ITS ORDERBOOK

Boeing and Air Lease Corp. (ALC) announced the aircraft lessor is expanding its airplane portfolio with an order for 32 additional 737-8 and 737-9 jets. As the travel market recovers, ALC is increasing its 737 MAX family offering to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.

“Following our memorandum of understanding with Boeing in February for these 32 737 MAX aircraft, we are pleased to announce the signing of this definitive purchase agreement. We believe that the economic and operating advantages of the 737 MAX will serve our airline customers well as they favor modern, fuel efficient aircraft,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation.

ALC continues to grow its investment in the 737 MAX family. In February the lessor added 18 737 MAXs to its portfolio. With the new order, ALC has 130 737 MAXs in its backlog.

With commonality and improved fuel efficiency, the 737 MAX family enables airlines to optimize their fleets across a broad range of missions while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 20% compared to the airplanes they replace. With the 737 MAX, ALC customers can choose airplanes that are optimized to suit multiple markets based on range and size while offering commonality for pilots and crew. The versatility of the 737 MAX family allows airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers and makes these airplanes highly popular among leasing and airline customers around the world.

“The 737 MAX family has already proved its value within ALC’s narrowbody portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing. “The addition of more 737 MAXs, including 737-8s and 737-9s, will enable ALC to respond to accelerating market demand as air travel continues to recover.”

OTHER NEWS

• Everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart, but have you every heard of Harriet Quimby? In 1911, she became the first licensed female pilot forging a path for those women aviators who followed. Read more about this flamboyant aviatrix here!