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Free in-flight Wi-Fi will see airport/airline battle lines drawn

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 20, 2009 7:43 AM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)
JiWire chart.JPG

We know that Wi-Fi, both on the ground and in the air, is trending towards the land of the free.

But throw that into the context of JiWire's new report, which says 80% of business travellers spend over 30min online in airports, and you've got an interesting battle brewing.

How will the airport hotspot make a dime if airlines are offering free Wi-Fi promos in-flight?

I think it's probably fair to say that once passengers get well and truly accustomed to free Wi-Fi , they'll expect it all the time.

Aircell, which is now providing air-to-ground (ATG)-based in-flight broadband on more than 600 aircraft, including a couple Air Canada birds, reports the company served its one millionth customer in October. 

At the current rate of expansion and with users fast approaching 100,000 per week, the two millionth user is now expected to be reached in January 2010, it says. Aircell president and CEO Ron LeMay says hundreds of thousands of these customers represent paid users.

But again, the taste of freedom is intoxicating.

My Aunt Rita in Dublin used to sing a song to us as kids. "Free, free, I want to be free. Free to walk among the flowers and to taste the summer showers...."

Altogether now. Free, free, free.....................

Check out JiWire's entire report at the following link. JiWire Mobile Audience Insights
Report_Q3 2009.pdf

And then read Engadget's stonking piece on how American has launched an online widget to let customers sniff out in-flight Wi-Fi.

VIDEO: Bizjet interiors that rocked in Dubai

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 19, 2009 11:26 AM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)
Whether it was Dassault's in-house aircraft interiors solutions for the Falcon line or Design Q's work on a Bulgaria BAe-146, aircraft interiors rocked in Dubai (as did the Saab laser-guided missile defense system - now that's a big gun!) .

How the Flightglobal team operates at an air show

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 16, 2009 3:59 AM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

 

Flight team.jpg

How does the Flightglobal team operate at an air show? Do you each have special subjects to cover? 

That's the question I got today from excellent aviation industry journa-blogger David Parker Brown of Airline Reporter.

Here's my answer:

The Flightglobal journalists have expertise in different subjects, but we also need to be able to step out of our beats and into another one at a moment's notice, especially at an air show.

Case in point. I've largely covered commercial air transport for nearly 11 years. Yesterday, the Flight Show Daily urgently needed someone to interview Eurofighter. I said: "Sure, I'll go interview Eurocopter." And they said: "Thanks, and it's not Eurocopter, it's Eurofighter."

Ah yes, right.

So I ran to the Eurofighter chalet, asked the PR rep to give me a quick "Typhoon 101 course" before I interviewed a former RAF test pilot about that bad-ass bird (yep, it's bad-ass, I saw US fighter pilots loving the Typhoon simulator). I got a great story from Eurofighter and it's now running at the following link: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/16/334952/dubai-09-eurofighter-making-its-mark-in-the-middle.htm

Here in Dubai, Flightglobal has got all angles covered, and we're writing about it for print and online, plus tweeting and engaging in other social media, plus doing lots of video and images.

It's a huge team effort and the only way we can do it is by loving aviation, loving what we do, loving working with each other AND drinking lots of lovely coffee. Yep, that's a lot of love.

VIDEO: Day 1 review of #DXB09

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 15, 2009 10:36 PM | | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)
Jon Ostrower, aka Flightblogger, joined me in wrapping up day one of the Dubai air show.


#DXB09: The second coming? Nah, it's EMS!

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 15, 2009 8:53 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)
There I was, skipping down an aisle at the Dubai air show, and who should I spy but my friends at EMS. Hadn't I just visited with these nice folks at WAEA in Palm Springs? Why yes, but we sat and a little chat anyways because, even in the heat of an air show, I've got IFEC on my mind.

Here's a pic of our gathering. I know the lighting casts halos on their heads, but fear not, EMS is not the second coming. They are, however, saints for taking time out of their busy schedule to talk to me.

Mary and EMS.JPG

   

#DXB09: Would Aircell's SBB kit make sense for US carriers?

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 14, 2009 11:28 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hats off to Aircell for taking advantage of the momentum behind the Dubai air show (#DXB09) by announcing a new sales and service rep for the Middle East.

Shoukry Shokralla will be responsible for supporting existing operators of Aircell's SwiftBroadband (SBB)-supported, Thrane & Thrane-powered airborne connectivity solution, which the US firm believes is well suited for the region. He will also assist prospective customers with their needs.

Unlike other SBB connectivity providers, which largely focus on in-flight mobile phone calls, messaging and email, Aircell focuses on offering "e-mail and light Internet services" for the business jet community. Telephone calls are made over Aircell's Axxess integrated cabin handsets.
 
In the USA, Aircell's main business, both in commercial and business aviation, is centered on its air-to-ground (ATG)-based high-speed Internet system.

But will Aircell start offering a similar SBB solution to the commercial sector? I wonder if Aircell's international airline customers, such as American, Delta, United and US Airways, wouldn't be well-placed to consider offering SBB on overseas flights.

Hey, British Airways is already doing it via an agreement with OnAir!!!
 

Exclusive Pics: Design Q seeks to transform luxury travel

By
Mary Kirby
 on November 14, 2009 3:28 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
DUBAI - Heliport Exterior Night Chopper (2).JPG

Design Q wants to transform luxury travel, and it just might do that with its new futuristic modular heliport design. Read the entire story at the following link. But check out Design Q's other blueprints, exclusive to Flight (below).

You'll see that while Design Q is happy to serve the low-cost market with solutions like MAXCABIN, it also knows how to reach the high-end market too (these are ex-Jaguar guys after all)!

Here's a fun fresh explanatory quote from Design Q co-founder Howard Guy:

"These large pods are designed to be self sufficient 'lounges' with water, power, receptions areas and lounge facilities so in any terrain -.middle of Russia, middle of China, middle of Saudi Arabia, it offers a comfortable transfer port for helicopter travel.

"The four outer pods act as holding lounges then raise up to the Heli deck once the helicopter has landed allowing comfortable boarding on the same level out of the heat of the sun or in monsoon!

"We are in a position to start building these for discerning commercial or private customers. I also see a great opportunity for VIP transfers for the London Olympics."

Dubai Interior (2).JPG




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