Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Collins Aerospace secures three launch customers for the Helix Main Cabin Seat
Hot off its Skynook win last night at the Crystal Cabin Awards, Collins Aerospace has announced it has managed to secure three airline launch customers for its Helix Main Cabin Seat. The three “international airlines have selected the Helix Seat for upcoming narrowbody aircraft deliveries. With installations confirmed across Airbus A320...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Thinkom Secures SES Open Orbits Type Approval for ThinAir Ka2517 Antenna
ThinKom Solutions and SES have announced the approval of the ThinAir Ka2517 terminal on the SES Open Orbits network satellite fleet. The Type Certification comes following rigorous on-ground and in-flight testing. The certified terminal is part of an integration package from RAVE Aerospace. It includes a RAVE Aerospace ModMan with...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Viasat enters Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to Qualify Viasat AERA
Let’s kick off the morning news cycle with Viasat announcing that it has a Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to qualify Viasat AERA for 737 MAX, 777X, and 787 Aircraft. AERA is Viasat’s company’s next-generation electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal. It’s qualiciation will allow it to be installed across all...
Economy Class & Beyond
Air New Zealand opens bookings for Economy SkyNest
Well, Air New Zealand has teased about it for a few years – but it’s fast becoming a reality with Skynest being ready to be placed on sale. Economy Skynest will be available to book from 18th May, 2026. It will operate on board the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner...
Also on BoardingArea
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Italy’s National Flag Carrier Admits it Has More Pressing Issues Than Resurrecting the Failed Alitalia Brand
Italy’s national flag carrier, which was reborn as ITA Airways in October 2021 following the collapse of the iconic but chronically mismanaged Alitalia brand, has admitted that it has more pressing issues to deal with than resurrecting its old name. ITA Airways was created in a clever deal between the...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Collins Aerospace secures three launch customers for the Helix Main Cabin Seat
Hot off its Skynook win last night at the Crystal Cabin Awards, Collins Aerospace has announced it has managed to secure three airline launch customers for its Helix Main Cabin Seat. The three “international airlines have selected the Helix Seat for upcoming narrowbody aircraft deliveries. With installations confirmed across Airbus A320...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Crippling Strikes at German Flag Carrier Lufthansa Are Extended Through Friday As Pilots Announce New Walkout
Crippling strike action by pilots and flight attendants at the German flag carrier Lufthansa, which has grounded thousands of flights since Monday and left tens of thousands of passengers stranded, has now been extended through to the end of Friday after the pilots’ union announced two more strike dates. Pilots...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Thinkom Secures SES Open Orbits Type Approval for ThinAir Ka2517 Antenna
ThinKom Solutions and SES have announced the approval of the ThinAir Ka2517 terminal on the SES Open Orbits network satellite fleet. The Type Certification comes following rigorous on-ground and in-flight testing. The certified terminal is part of an integration package from RAVE Aerospace. It includes a RAVE Aerospace ModMan with...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Viasat enters Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to Qualify Viasat AERA
Let’s kick off the morning news cycle with Viasat announcing that it has a Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to qualify Viasat AERA for 737 MAX, 777X, and 787 Aircraft. AERA is Viasat’s company’s next-generation electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal. It’s qualiciation will allow it to be installed across all...
Frequent Miler
How to add two Southwest companions to a single reservation
A couple of months ago, a reader had reached out to report a negative development from Southwest: the reader reported that both Player 1 and Player 2 were Southwest Companion Pass holders but were unable to add both of their companions to the same reservation. This is a bit of...
Economy Class & Beyond
Air New Zealand opens bookings for Economy SkyNest
Well, Air New Zealand has teased about it for a few years – but it’s fast becoming a reality with Skynest being ready to be placed on sale. Economy Skynest will be available to book from 18th May, 2026. It will operate on board the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner...
The Bulkhead Seat
Allegiant Launches Tax Day Promotion Offering Bonus Points for Summer Travel
Allegiant is turning tax season into a travel opportunity with a limited-time promotion designed…
Points With a Crew
These Are The Most Unacceptable Things You Can Do On An Airplane
A recent poll ranked 37 things you can do on an airplane, from acceptable to not. Leading the way was letting children play in the aisle, followed by ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
British Airways to Allow Inflight Calls. Why I Still Oppose This Policy.
British Airways will allow telephone calls during flights aboard airplanes as the latest technology in accessing Wi-Fi eventually expands across its fleet of airplanes — and this article also discusses the reasons why I still oppose this policy. The technology that allows each person to...
Frequent Miler
Save on Turo rides with Amex Offers, Chase Offers, & Citi Offers
There are currently several card-linked offers available through different banks that can save you money when booking car rentals through Turo. The Deals Save on Turo rides through the following targeted spending offers: Amex Offer – Get 20% back on up to $150 spend Chase Offer – Spend $150+ &...
Economy Class & Beyond
Crystal Cabin Awards – The 2026 winners annouced
It’s been an exciting evening in Hamburg, as the aviation industry gathered to celebrate the winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards. Eight categories were contested this year – but who walked away with the awards, and for what? Accessibility Winner: Diehl Aviation: AURS, The Adaptive User Routing System AURS, the...
The Bulkhead Seat
Norse Atlantic Airways Cancels All Los Angeles Routes Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Norse Atlantic Airways is pulling back from the US West Coast and will cancel…
View from the Wing
Chase Cut Sapphire Reserve Rewards For Airbnb And Expedia — Now Adds Plum Guide To Chase Travel
Chase cut Sapphire Reserve rewards for Airbnb and Expedia bookings when it overhauled the card last year, pushing cardmembers toward direct bookings and Chase Travel instead. Now it is filling one of the biggest gaps in its own platform by adding Plum Guide vacation rentals, giving Sapphire cardholders a new...
Frequent Miler
JetBlue Polishes its Premium Premier Mastercard | Coffee Break Ep101 | 4-14-26
JetBlue has announced some big changes to its Premier Mastercard, which was previously a real bummer of a card. So when these changes come in “the spring”, will they make the card better, and worth that $499 annual fee? JetBlue Polishes its Premium Premier Mastercard Watch the full episode below,...
The Bulkhead Seat
Mythology-Inspired Hyatt Resort Set to Open on Greece’s Paros Island in September
A new luxury escape rooted in ancient Greek history is set to debut this…
Miles To Memories
Phone Calls on Planes, Hotel Points = DEBT and a Wild United-American Merger Idea
One airline allowing phone calls, how hotel points are big IOUs, AA busses and will United and American merge?
Your Mileage May Vary
Delta Pilot Tried To Honor 102-Year-Old WWII Vet With Water Salute…ATC Shut It Down
A Delta crew wanted to honor a 102-year-old WWII veteran with a water salute—but Pittsburgh ATC had to shut it down. Here’s what happened and why. We don’t have much…
woman shares a day in the job (l) flight attendant helping out passenger (r)
BoardingArea
Detroit Flight Attendant Waits On 19-Year-Old. Then He Has To Be Restrained Mid-Flight. Then She Learns The Shocking Reason Why
“He’s having a breakdown because..."
Frequent Miler
Accor promo: Earn 2X points on stays in USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama, & Brazil
Accor has launched a new promotion that’s offering double points for stays of two or more nights in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama, & Brazil. That’ll be welcome news for those who were disappointed that their separate 2X promotion excluded these countries. The Deal Earn 2X Accor points when...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Says Turnstiles Will Improve Boarding — They May Just Make Flying Worse
American Airlines is installing electronic boarding gates at new DFW gates and pitching them as a way to make boarding smoother, more consistent, and less congested. But these turnstiles do not solve the real causes of boarding delays—and they may leave passengers with less flexibility, less human help, and one...
The Alviator
Review: Vienna Lounge, Vienna (VIE) – My Favourite Priority Pass Lounge Yet?
A review of the Vienna Lounge, a Priority Pass lounge also open to British Airways elites, among others (spoiler – it's surprisingly great!)
One Mile at a Time
Is Booking A Ritz-Carlton Cruise Worth It? My Experience & Thought Process
For so long, I’ve almost exclusively covered airlines and hotels when it comes to the travel front. In recent times, I’ve been warming up more to the concept of cruising.
Points With a Crew
Booking “IHG Rewards Eligible” Hotels via Chase Travel: Sure Feels Like a Scam
Chase Travel has an option where certain hotels are listed as "IHG One Rewards eligible", promising elite benefits even if you book 3rd party. But it didn't turn out quite that way ...
Economy Class & Beyond
Crystal Cabin Awards – The 2026 winners annouced
It’s been an exciting evening in Hamburg, as the aviation industry gathered to celebrate the winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards. Eight categories were contested this year – but who walked away with the awards, and for what? Accessibility Winner: Diehl Aviation: AURS, The Adaptive User Routing System AURS, the...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Airbus moves the A220 programme forward with Airspace confirmed for three airlines
At Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026, Airbus made a major announcement for the Airbus A220 – with launch partners confirmed for its Airspace inflight product… as well as some desification options Last year, Air Canada was confirmed as the initial launch customer for Airspace on the Airbus A220 family. Today, Airbus confirmed...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Expliseat unveils its first Business Class Seat – Introducing the TiSeat S
Expliseat has been making great strides with its product line and has moved forward into a Business Class Seating product. Introducing the TiSeat S.   The TiSeat S brings the company’s proven titanium and carbon fibre technology into the business class segment. Designed to elevate the experience of business class travellers across...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Thales launches FlytEdge Aurora – Bringing Tandem OLED to the Sky
Thales at Aircraft Interiors Expo launched FlytEDGE Aura. This is a new seat-end IFE screen for the cloud-native FlytEDGE platform, powered by the Onboard Data Centre. Going through the specification list, Thales is the first to launch 4K HDR10+ Tandem OLED displays. This cutting-edge innovation delivers unparalleled brightness, best-in-class contrast...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Air Canada selects Collins Aerospace Seating for its upcoming Airbus A321XLR
At Aircraft Interiors Expo, Collins Aerospace and Air Canada announced that the carrier’s new fleet of Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be furnished entirely with Collins’ seating solutions. Fourteen premium Aurora business class suites will be installed at the front of the aircraft, while 168 Meridian+ main cabin seats will fill...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Panasonic Avionics unveils eXNeo 
With a lot of fleets still running Panasonic Avionics X Series IFE screens, the need for a drop-in replacement during refits appears when it comes to bringing the cabin up to date. Enter the Panasonic eXNeo. The eXNeo (new electronics option) is a new-generation seatback monitor retrofit solution designed to...
Economy Class & Beyond
Virgin Atlantic to accelerate its Starlink rollout, with Airbus A350 family to lead
Virgin Atlantic is progressing with its Starlink in-flight connectivity programme, with plans to accelerate the deployment. Virgin Atlantic will begin introducing Starlink connectivity onboard its Airbus A350 fleet from May, with all A350s to be connected by early summer. The first customer flight is slated for early May on the VS153 from London Heathrow to New York, JFK. The installation programme will then...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX: Garuda Indonesia selects MOMENT for its Wireless IFE solution
Garuda Indonesia has partnered with MOMENT to push forward the airline’s expansion of its Wireless In-Flight Entertainment (W-IFE) capabilities. Under a three-year agreement, Moment has deployed 64 Flymingo Box units to enhance the digital onboard experience for Indonesia’s national carrier. These units represent Moment’s proprietary wireless IFE hardware, specifically designed...