News and notes from around the interweb:
- Alaska Airlines will install Gogo 2Ku satellite internet including on the Virgin America Airbus fleet which surprises me since I expect those planes will be returned when their leases expire and before heavy maintenance is due.
2Ku will give Alaska’s guests a seamless experience across their Boeing and Airbus fleet. Alaska will be disclosing pricing closer to service launch. Gogo’s 2Ku service will be installed on Alaska’s Boeing 737 aircraft beginning in the first half of 2018, with 40 to 50 planes expected to be completed by the end of the year. The remainder of Alaska and Virgin America’s mainline fleet will be fully satellite-equipped by early 2020.
In addition to installing 2Ku, Alaska also announced today that it will now offer free chat with Gogo Messaging Pass on flights operated by Virgin America – a benefit already available to guests flying on Alaska.
Remember that Gogo internet is covered by cheap iPass plans which is perhaps the best travel tip I’ve ever shared on the blog.
- Romania has sent auditors to dig into SkyTeam member Tarom’s books
- Qantas now lets you redeem miles for El Al premium cabin awards. And their prices are better than transferring Amex points to El Al. Citi points transfer to Qantas. Unfortunately awards between North America and Israel are excluded.
- Is the eskimo painted on the tail of Alaska Airlines planes a real person?
- Delta is testing offering video chat with reservations
- I’d have expected the dog to be more transfixed by the aircraft’s Sky Interior.
Perhaps the real story on the Eskimo: http://www.oregonmag.net/MyEskimo.htm
Gary: We’re going to Israel in April, and they’re starting non-stop service to TLV from MIA. Can I transfer Amex MR or Chase UR points to QF, and then book on El Al? Should I?
For the longest time I thought the guy on the tail of Alaskan planes was sporting an afro.
I always thought that was Danny Devito
@RetiredLawyer @Gary, I think you need to check the details of the LY/QF codeshare deal, I don’t think North America to TLV awards will be bookable using QF miles.