First, from Gogo. Here is the attached note that came with the news release – “I wanted to send you some exciting news this morning that I thought you might be interested in. We cleared a major regulatory hurdle to get our next generation satellite technology flying.  This technology will bring more than 20x the bandwidth of our original technology, and will launch on Aeromexico and Virgin Atlantic later this year.  See the attached and let me know if you have any questions.” – Morgan Painter

FAA Clears Gogo’s Next Generation In-flight Internet Technology for Takeoff
Approval Clears Hurdle for Launch of Service that will Bring 20x Bandwidth Increase

Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO), the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, announced today that it has received the final Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA required to launch Gogo’s 2Ku next generation satellite connectivity service. The technology is currently installed on Gogo’s 737-500 test plane and is now cleared for in-flight testing. Gogo expects to launch commercial service of its 2Ku technology later this year.

“This is a significant milestone for Gogo and a seminal event for in-flight Internet,” said Gogo’s chief technology officer, Anand Chari. “We believe this will be the best performing technology for the global commercial aviation market bar none. Clearing this regulatory hurdle brings us one step closer to enabling our airline partners and their passengers to enjoy the future of in-flight Internet.”

Seven commercial airlines have signed up for either a trial or fleet deployment of 2Ku covering more than 500 commercial aircraft. Gogo expects to launch commercial service later this year and begin rapid installation of the backlog of 500 aircraft in 2016.

2Ku is expected to deliver peak speeds of more than 70 Mbps to the aircraft, which is more than 20 times the bandwidth provided by Gogo’s first generation Air to Ground solution in the U.S. More information about this technology can be found here.

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If you are interested in the Expo Americas from the folks at Aircraft Interiors, November 4 – 5, in Seattle, check out this link

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And now from Boeing, here is a release from them that is their view of the new airplane market from 2015 – 2034. What caught us off guard was Boeing’s view of the 400+ seat aircraft market… might there be some bias? Boeing Sees Demand in China for 6,330 Airplanes Valued at Nearly $1 Trillion – Chinese fleet will almost triple by 2034, with need for 4,630 single-aisle airplanes – Low-cost carriers, international expansion are key drivers of soaring airplane demand:

Boeing (NYSE: BA), China’s leading provider of commercial airplanes, today projected a demand in the country for 6,330 new airplanes over the next 20 years. Boeing released its annual China Current Market Outlook (CMO) today in Beijing, estimating the total value of those new airplanes at $950 billion.

“Despite the current volatility in China’s financial market, we see strong growth in the country’s aviation sector over the long term,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Over the next 20 years, China’s commercial airplane fleet will nearly triple: from 2,570 airplanes in 2014 to 7,210 airplanes in 2034, with more than 70 percent of these deliveries accommodating growth.”

“China’s aviation market is incredibly dynamic, from its leading airlines to its startups and low-cost carriers,” said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing is committed to serve customers in the world’s largest airplane market by providing the most fuel-efficient airplanes and services to support their growth and profitability.”

As China becomes the world’s largest domestic air travel market, Boeing is forecasting demand for 4,630 single-aisle airplanes through 2034. This sector is driven by growth in new carriers and low-cost airlines in developing and emerging markets, as well as continuous expansion in established airlines. In fact, the efficiency and flexibility of single-aisle aircraft like the 737 helps Chinese carriers connect and stimulate growth along the Economic Belt as part of the One Belt, One Road Strategy.  Tinseth said the Next-Generation 737-800 and new 737 MAX 8 – Boeing products at the heart of the single-aisle market – offer airlines the best fuel efficiency, reliability and capability.

China’s low-cost carriers are currently responsible for about 8 percent of single-aisle market demand, rising to 25-30 percent of demand by 2034, Tinseth noted. “The 737 MAX 200 will have the lowest fuel costs – 20 percent per seat – versus today’s most efficient single-aisle airplanes,” Tinseth said. “737 MAX fuel efficiency and the 737’s position as the industry’s most reliable airplane offer Chinese low-cost carriers competitive advantages as they grow new business.”

Boeing forecasts that the widebody segment will require 1,510 new airplanes, led by small and medium widebody airplanes such as the 777-300ER (Extended Range), 777X and the 787 Dreamliner. Tinseth stressed that Chinese airlines have more than doubled their long-haul international capacity over the past three years, in large part following the delivery of 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes to Air China and 777-300ERs and 787s to several leading Chinese carriers.

“Enabled by China’s growing middle-class population, new visa policies and the underlying strength of its economic growth, this expansion is expected to continue, and in fact accelerate,” Tinseth said. “The 777, 787 and 747-8 are perfectly positioned to support Chinese airlines’ continued globalization.”

Worldwide, Boeing projects investments of $5.6 trillion for 38,050 new commercial airplanes to be delivered during the next 20 years. The complete global forecast is available here.

Today, Boeing jets are the mainstay of China’s air travel and cargo system. More than 50 percent of all the commercial jetliners operating in China are Boeing airplanes. Over 8,000 Boeing airplanes fly throughout the world with integrated China-built parts and assemblies. China has a component role on every current Boeing commercial airplane model – the Next-Generation 737, 747, 767, 777, as well as the world’s newest and most innovative airplane, the 787 Dreamliner.

For more information on the China forecast, visit this hyperlink.

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And now, for more LINK News:

The folks at Investopedia had tabulated at lease three things travelers want, and this caught our eye: “For some of you, it might not be any surprise that Millennials are even more willing to pay extra for different things while traveling. Even though they are known for valuing minimalism, Millennials are used to having the luxury of convenience – not to mention the ability to check Facebook or text their friends.” – 3 Things Travelers Value When Flying

How about FlightView’s survey that determines how far travelers will go for convenience, demand for premium services, and the role information and operational efficiency plays in driving gate-side revenue.

Here’s one that we find interesting – “How to enable AT&T Wi-Fi calling on iOS 9.”
How to enable AT&T Wi-Fi calling on iOS 9 – CNET (Interestingly, an AT&T source says: “This is AT&T catching up with T-Mobile and others that have had Voice-over-IP for some time. This is where the handset uses an IP connection over Wi-Fi rather than connecting using LTE to a cellphone tower for voice calls. AT&T did not have this conversion available for some time – but they are introducing a variety of new features including VOLTE (Voice over LTE) which is an IP based Over the top solution which will be more cost effective than pure LTE cellular connections. Gogo already manages this by blocking the IP ports at a Network layer level that support VoIP. In the same way that they block HBO go and Netflix video streaming services. “OnAir will do the same – as will ViaSat.”) Oh well, we guess this won’t work on a plane…

The folks at Aviation Week did a splendid piece on ‘The Connected Aircraft’, a NASA project with Alaska Airlines and Virgin America that covers the ‘other” uses of connectivity beyond IFE – NASA Ushers In Connected Aircraft Benefits to Two Airlines | Commercial Aviation content from Aviation Week

If your ‘thing’ is radiation effects on aviation electronics at altitude on planes, you might like – Planet Analog – William Murray – Process Management for Radiation Effects at Altitude

Lastly, here is a great site for comparing mileage award miles from various airlines for a flight from Chicago to LA – AwardAce Compares Flight Prices in Rewards Miles

20-year Current Market Outlook reflects 3.5 percent increase in demand over 2014

Single-aisle, small/medium twin-aisle segments lead growth in airplanes and value
Seattle, WA | June 11, 2015– Boeing [NYSE: BA] projects a demand for 38,050 new airplanes over the next 20 years, an increase of 3.5 percent from last year’s forecast. Boeing released its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) today, estimating the total value of those new airplanes at $5.6 trillion.

A downloadable CMO infographic is available here: http://bit.ly/1KTLv6M.

“The commercial airplane market continues to be strong and resilient,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “As we look forward, we expect the market to continue to grow and the demand for new aircraft to be robust.”

By the end of the forecast period, the commercial airplane fleet will double, from 21,600 airplanes in 2014 to 43,560 airplanes in 2034. Fifty-eight percent of the 38,050 airplanes delivered over that time will be to accommodate growth.

Passenger traffic will continue to grow at about a 4.9 percent annual pace, near the historic trend line of 5 percent. More than 7 billion passengers will fly by the end of the forecast period. Cargo traffic will grow at about 4.7 percent per year.

The single-aisle market continues to be the fastest-growing, largest overall segment, requiring 26,730 airplanes over the coming two decades. These aircraft are the foundation of the world’s airline fleet, carrying up to 75 percent of passengers on more than 70 percent of the world’s commercial aviation routes. This sector is fueled by growth in low-cost carriers and airlines in developing and emerging markets.

“At the heart of the single-aisle market are the Boeing 737-800 and the future 737 MAX 8,” said Tinseth. “These airplanes offer customers the most fuel efficiency, reliability and capability in this class.”

About 35 percent of the single-aisle market will go to low-cost carriers, Tinseth noted. “Low-cost carriers will require airplanes that combine the best economics with the most revenue potential. With 20 percent lower fuel use, the 737 MAX 200 will be the ideal machine for them.”

Boeing forecasts that the widebody segment will require 8,830 new airplanes, led by small widebody airplanes in the 200- to 300-seat range such as the 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner. This year’s forecast reflects a continued shift in demand from very large airplanes to efficient new twin-engine products such as the 787 and new 777X.

While airline growth still accounts for the majority of new demand, a large and growing number of aging aircraft will require replacement. About 2 to 3 percent of the installed fleet will require replacement each year.

“The 737 MAX, 777 and 787 are perfectly positioned to capture this important wave of replacement,” Tinseth said.

The air cargo market continues to strengthen, and will drive demand of some 920 new airplanes over the 20-year forecast.

“We’ve seen two years of solid growth in the air cargo market and we expect that growth to continue,” Tinseth said. “That’s great news for our line of production freighters, including the 747-8, 767 and 777.”

Boeing’s Current Market Outlook is the longest running jet forecast and regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the aviation industry. The full report can be found at www.boeing.com/cmo.

New Airplane Deliveries: 2015-2034
Airplane type	Seats	Total deliveries	Dollar value
Regional jets	90 and below	2,490	$100 billion
Single-aisle	90 – 230	26,730	$2,770 billion
Small widebody	200 – 300	4,770	$1,250 billion
Medium widebody	300 – 400	3,520	$1,220 billion
Large widebody	400 and above	540	$230 billion
Total	———	38,050	$5.6 trillion

The Asia market, including China, will continue to lead the way in total airplane deliveries over the next two decades.

New Airplane Deliveries: 2015-2034
Region	Airplane deliveries
Asia	14,330
North America	7,890
Europe	7,310
Middle East	3,180
Latin America	3,020
Africa	1,170
C.I.S.	1,150
Total	38,050