Airlines

Alaska Airlines plans streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi upgrades to E175 regional jets

Alaska Airlines elevates its regional flying experience with an all-jet fleet, and become the first major airline to announce plans to offer streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi on a regional jet aircraft. It have selected Intelsat’s newest satellite Wi-Fi technology to make that happen.

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Intelsat’s new system closely aligns with Alaska’s needs for regional fleet. The new, faster service will utilize an electronically steered array (ESA) which is a small, lighter weight antenna with no moving parts – making it easier to maintain in the unique regional environment. In an industry first, Intelsat’s new system will communicate with both traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites and new low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. With an additional $25 million investment, this upgrade represents a major step forward in the travel experience for guests, enabling higher speeds and more coverage in the air, particularly across areas in the state of Alaska.

The new system will debut on Horizon Air, and sister airline, in early 2024 and roll out across regional jet fleet, including on partner SkyWest, over a two-year period. With nearly all mainline fleet set to feature satellite Wi-Fi by this April – also installed by Intelsat, on track to provide consistent streaming-fast Wi-Fi across entire fleet by 2026.

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With satellite Wi-Fi, you can stream, browse and chat on board using the internet much like you’re used to when you’re on the ground. You can enjoy content on your personal devices from your favorite services such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and TikTok. Or jump online if you need connectivity to get some work done. Another bonus: On aircraft enabled with satellite Wi-Fi, you can connect from the moment you board instead of waiting for the connection to kick in after the boarding door closes – it’s seamless connectivity from gate to gate.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.