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Regional Jets Are Going to Get Faster 5G Inflight Internet

by Gary Leff

american eagle plane
May 29 2019

Regional jets have been stuck with slower internet speeds. In particular, they cannot be upgraded to Gogo’s 2Ku satellite system, the internet provider tells me, because “the radome is too large.” Still there’s a need to improve the inflight experience on regional jets.

Gogo announced today that it “will build a 5G network for aviation.” This is a new air-to-ground network regional jets and smaller mainline jets operating in the US and Canada, and for business jets.

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American’s Joint Venture With LATAM Rejected By Chile’s Supreme Court

by Gary Leff

plane on tarmac
May 28 2019

Several South American countries have approved the American Airlines joint venture with LATAM, and American has expected to receive approval from the U.S. In a surprising move, the Chilean Supreme Court has overturned the country’s regulatory anti-trust approval of the deal citing limited competition and barriers to entry. Presumably with US regulatory approval American and LATAM will move forward with their joint venture excluding US-Chile from the arrangement.

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Austin Airport Now Has a New Outdoor Deck Open to All Passengers

by Gary Leff

outdoor lounge
May 24 2019

At the very end of the terminal by gates 1 and 2, the new wing of the airport that just opened, is a Delta SkyClub. It’s a fantastic space. But maybe the best secret of the airport is that if you head up the elevator or walk up the stairs to the SkyClub there’s also a public space that any passenger can use.

There’s indoor seating, sort of a public use lounge, that’s outside of the club entrance. And just like the new SkyClub has an outdoor deck, the airport has a public use deck as well that’s even larger. Facing the east runway, it’s a Central Texas aviation geek’s dream.

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Delta’s New Austin Club Has a Sky Deck — and It’s Gorgeous

by Gary Leff

airport lounge
May 20 2019

Delta’s new SkyClub in the Austin airport opens Tuesday morning. It’s gorgeous on the inside, features more substantive food options than the United and American clubs in the same airport, and features an furnished outdoor observation deck area with misters for the summer heat and heat lamps for the few days each year it’s cold.

For an outstation hoping to become a focus city like Austin this new club is an absolute winner — and will be a draw for flying Delta.

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Four Amazing Award Redemptions Thanks to 2 Bank Programs Offering Transfer Bonuses at the Same Time

by Gary Leff

first class seats
May 19 2019

A couple of days ago I wrote about Delta One business class suites to Asia for as little as 47,000 points each way with availability for 4 or more and sometimes even 9 passengers per flight.

Now two transferable points programs are running transfer bonuses to Virgin at the same time. In addition to a 30% bonus transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic through July 1, points transfers from Citi ThankYou Rewards to Virgin Atlantic receive a 30% bonus through June 22.

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Award Alert: Delta One Suites to Asia for the Whole Family (As Low As 47,000 Points Each)

by Gary Leff

first class seats
May 17 2019

Delta saver award availability to Asia, especially for two or more passengers, can be challenging. Right now though availability for late fall and winter is outstanding on a variety of routes, for the whole family — in some cases 9 or more saver awards.

Specifically flights out of Detroit, Minneapolis, Seattle, Atlanta and Los Angeles are bookable to Tokyo and to China (from Shanghai connecting options on China Eastern are good as well) for November through March.. Notably availability on the Detroit – Beijing, LA – Shanghai, and LA – Tokyo Haneda routes means flying Delta’s business class suites.

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