Letter from the Editor & Publisher: Dear IFExpress Readers, After 30 years of publishing weekly in the inflight entertainment & communication space, we have decided to close IFExpress. Consequently, this will be the last issue you receive in your in-box. We did not reach this decision lightly but due to a series of health issues and a myriad of other factors, we determined this was the best course of action. Both Terry and I would like to thank you all for the many years of camaraderie. We wish you all the best in your endeavors as we embark on the next phase... [Read more]

Boeing Boeing delivered two satellites for leading global content connectivity service provider SES to their launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of the upcoming launch of the twin spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. “SES-20 and SES-21 are the first commercial satellites we’ve delivered since the start of the global pandemic,” said Ryan Reid, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “It was challenging, but we found ways to be responsive to emerging customer demands and timelines. As a result, we went from contract... [Read more]

ANUVU Anuvu, the leading provider of high-speed satellite connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, today announced it has acquired Signal Mountain Networks, a leading provider of satellite communications to the U.S. Government. With the acquisition, Anuvu is expanding its existing government business and unlocking new revenue streams by leveraging Signal Mountain’s prime contractor status and 20-year history of delivering mission-critical solutions. Signal Mountain’s position on key contracting vehicles for government agencies,... [Read more]

Gogo Announces Record Results and Updates 2022 Guidance Gogo Inc. (“Gogo” or the “Company”), the world’s largest provider of broadband connectivity services for the business aviation market, announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. Q2 2022 Highlights Gogo announced its plans to launch the first low earth orbit (“LEO”)-based global broadband service in business aviation (“Global Broadband”) using an electronically steered antenna designed with Hughes Network Systems and a LEO satellite network... [Read more]

Eutelsat And OneWeb Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and key OneWeb shareholders have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of creating a leading global player in Connectivity through the combination of both companies in an all-share transaction. Eutelsat will combine its 36-strong fleet of GEO satellites with OneWeb’s constellation of 648 Low Earth Orbit satellites, of which 428 are currently in orbit. The transaction would be structured as an exchange of OneWeb shares by its shareholders (other than Eutelsat) with new shares issued by... [Read more]

Alaska Airlines Becomes First U.S. Airline to Launch Electronic Bag Tag Program Alaska Airlines announced on Tuesday it’s poised to become the first U.S. airline to launch an electronic bag tag program later this year. “This technology allows our guests to tag their own bags in just seconds and makes the entire check-in process almost all off-airport,” said Charu Jain, senior vice-president of merchandising and innovation for Alaska Airlines. “Not only will travelers with the devices be able to quickly drop-off their luggage, our electronic... [Read more]

Southwest Airlines Launches World’s First Flight Tracker with Destination Reels from FlightPath3D FlightPath3D, the leader in moving map technology, announces that Southwest Airlines has successfully upgraded to its new inflight moving map – an all-in- one virtual world where passengers can use augmented reality and watch short-form videos to connect the flight journey with their destination. The inflight experience captivates passengers with a 3D map of the route and virtual reality views of the flight deck, window, and aircraft. The world’s first inflight... [Read more]

Breeze Airways Breeze Airways, the Seriously Nice™ new U.S. low-fare airline founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, has been ranked second of the 10 best U.S. domestic airlines in 2021, according to Travel + Leisure readers. Every year Travel + Leisure hosts its World’s Best Awards survey that is distributed amongst its readers. The survey asks readers to share their insights from their travels, voicing thoughts on resorts, hotels, cruise ships, cities, and more. In the airlines category, readers ranked their top choices based on cabin comfort,... [Read more]

Air New Zealand & Safran Air New Zealand unveiled its brand new cabin interior featuring its latest Business Premier seats, designed and manufactured with Safran Seats. They are due to enter in service in 2024 and retrofit their current 787-9 fleet to give passengers ‘the best sleep in the sky’. Air New Zealand selected a concept to create a ‘home away from home’ experience. In co-creation with Safran Seats, this seat is specifically designed for 787 aircraft with no compromise, maximizing the available space in this aircraft type. They present two choices... [Read more]

Panasonic Avionics Re-Defines Airline Seatback Experience With New Astrova IFE Seat-End Solution Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) today unveiled the future of airline passenger engagement with the launch of its new in-flight entertainment (IFE) seat-end system, Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics. Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “The launch of Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, reflects a transformation in our business, how we develop our products, and how we engage with our customers. Astrova is the first in-flight... [Read more]

SAFRAN Safran Passenger Innovations, ThinKom Solutions, Inc. (ThinKom) and Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certifications (Astronics), today announced agreements to provide next-generation Ka-band aero satellite terminals. Safran Passenger Innovations is embarking down a path of providing the next evolution in Inflight Connectivity (IFC) terminal solution to the market, one that allows airlines to have flexibility when it comes to choosing a service provider. Under the agreements, ThinKom will supply its ThinAir® Ka2517 phased-array aero satellite antennas for Safran... [Read more]

Safran Safran Seats reveals Euphony, an innovative passenger experience solution for Business and First class seats that provides passengers with a headset-free and high-quality individual sound experience. The solution, which will be revealed at the Aircraft Interiors Exhibition, has been developed in partnership with Devialet, an acoustic engineering company contributing with its world- class expertise and innovation to this joint effort. With Euphony, each individual passenger can enjoy high quality sound in every position of the seat, enabling them to make the most... [Read more]

ASIP Tech Selected by Wizz Air for Free Inflight Connectivity AS-IP Tech announced it has signed an agreement with Wizz Air (LSE: WIZZ) to provide connectivity on its fleet of A320 and A321 UK based aircraft. In a world first, Wizz Air will integrate AS-IP Tech’s fflya Bluetooth platform into its mobile app and provide free messaging (SMS, Email and WhatsApp) to its passengers. It will be marketed as TEXT&FLY BY WIZZ. ASIP Tech President Ron Chapman said “Following months of successful flight testing, we are delighted to be selected by Wizz Air pioneering... [Read more]

(Today’s image is from China Airlines’ boarding video) STELLAR ENTERTAINMENT IFE content specialists Stellar Entertainment recently collaborated with China Airlines to produce a customized boarding video to warmly welcome passengers onboard in a unique way. The video, which rolled out across the fleet in the first quarter of 2022, conveys the airline’s brand, values and message via soothing music and alluring visuals that resonate the beauty of Taiwan. In addition to decades of experience curating, acquiring and delivering a broad range of IFE content for... [Read more]

LUFTHANSA SELECTS PANASONIC AVIONICS Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has been selected by Lufthansa to provide its NEXT in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and enhanced connectivity solutions for the carrier’s flagship Boeing 747-8 fleet. Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT IFE system will be retrofitted on Lufthansa’s 19 Boeing 747-8s, with the first due to be rolled out in summer 2024. This higher performance system will provide Lufthansa’s passengers with a superior, immersive cinematic experience using the latest 4K screen technology, with faster... [Read more]

BAMBOO AIRWAYS SELECTS PANASONIC IFEC Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics)  announced an agreement with Bamboo Airways to provide its industry-leading in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems (IFEC) for the Vietnamese airline’s widebody fleet. Panasonic Avionics is installing its award-winning eX3 in-flight entertainment system on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 fleet, with the aircraft entering service on its intercontinental routes to Europe and Australia in recent weeks. Passengers throughout each aircraft will enjoy an immersive, cinematic experience... [Read more]

Global Policy Will Remove Headaches From International Travel Led by Saudi Arabia, the Harmonizing Air Travel policy will transform the traveler experience by creating a single, trusted source of information on entry requirements for international travelers  The global aviation policy has been developed in cooperation with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) The Harmonizing Air Travel policy seeks to boost the recovery of the global aviation sector The policy framework was unveiled at the Kingdom’s inaugural Future Aviation Forum and will... [Read more]

Boeing Reports Increased Stability and Growth for Aircraft Finance Sector For second consecutive year, 100% of Boeing deliveries were financed by third parties with the top sources of delivery funding coming from cash, capital markets and sale leasebacks. Capital markets continued to play a key role in shoring up liquidity for the sector, close to pre-pandemic levels for most issuers as spreads tightened throughout the year. Boeing Capital Corporation released the 2022 Commercial Aircraft Financing Market Outlook (CAFMO) showing improving financing stability as the industry... [Read more]

Safran Passenger Innovations Delivers RAVE IFEC for China Airlines A321NEO Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) is thrilled to announce the delivery of China Airline’s A321NEO. This aircraft is equipped with the latest RAVE Ultra displays in 13.3” and 15.6” as well as the newest software platform, RAVE OS. China Airlines is very excited to offer their passengers a cutting-edge experience with full cabin Bluetooth audio paired with Safran Passenger Innovation’s RAVE OS platform. This first-rate experience is complete with 4K picture quality, second screen, multi-tasking,... [Read more]

Spafax’s Future Screen Podcast Are you interested in the latest IFE licensing trends? Do you want to discover the hot new shows? Tune into Spafax’s Future Screen which is available on Spotify. Future Screen is hosted by Spafax’s Andrea Whyte. This issue features interviews with Vince Cruz, Vice President Non-Theatrical Sales at Paramount, Meera Sharma, Non-Theatrical Sales Manager at Paramount Global and Mark Horton, Head of Worldwide Sales at Cinesky. Listen to Future Screen here. Boeing The Boeing Company announced major program deliveries across its... [Read more]

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... [Read more]

INMARSAT WINS ‘SATELLITE OPERATOR EXCELLENCE’ ACCOLADE FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR AT AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Inmarsat has taken top honors at the Aviation Achievement Awards, after being crowned winner in the ‘Satellite Operator Excellence’ category for the second consecutive year. The prestigious accolade was presented during an awards ceremony in Dubai, with special praise from the judging panel for Inmarsat’s ‘exceptional leadership, innovation and resilience’ over the past year. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the unprecedented... [Read more]

GÖZEN HOLDING ORDERS 100 VX4 AIRCRAFT FROM AVOLON TO BRING ZERO EMISSIONS AIR TRAVEL TO TURKEY Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces that Gözen Holding, one of Turkey’s leading aviation conglomerates and owner of Freebird Airlines, has committed to purchase or lease up to 50 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon, with the option to purchase or lease up to 50 additional aircraft. As a result of this announcement, Avolon has now placed its entire 500 VX4 eVTOL aircraft orderbook, with the orderbook being oversubscribed by 50 options. As part of the... [Read more]

INMARSAT AND ORBIT With record demand for premium business aviation connectivity, the compact tail-mount terminal is progressing towards type approval on Inmarsat’s Ka-band satellite network   The business aviation market will have access to a new compact and lightweight terminal for Inmarsat’s market-leading Jet ConneX (JX) inflight broadband solution from early next year, after the company expanded its partnership with Orbit Communication Systems, a leading provider of airborne communication solutions.  Orbit’s AirTRX30 terminal is progressing towards type... [Read more]

MEDIA CARRIER & EVA AIR Just in time for the beginning of the Chinese “Year of the Tiger”, Media Carrier is pleased to announce a new airline customer from Asia: After Singapore Airlines, the Taiwan-based airline and Star Alliance member EVA Air has adopted the company’s first-class, digital infotainment offer as well as its customer-specific add-on IT solutions. The Munich-based digital media expert provides a customized collection of around 520 digital, predominantly Asian premium titles from its digital media library Media Box, which comprises a total... [Read more]