Singapore Airlines: Free Wi-Fi for All

Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers traveling in economy and premium economy class will be able to access free unlimited Wi-Fi from July 1stthe airline announced

To take advantage of this benefit, passengers must be members of SIA’s KrisFlyer rewards program. Registration is free.

As of May 1, SIA has 136 passenger aircraft in its fleet. Approximately 95% of SIA’s fleet is equipped with in-flight connectivity, with the exception of seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft which are among SIA’s oldest aircraft. These seven planes are not Wi-Fi enabled and are expected to be retired in the coming years.

Air Canada inaugurates new routes from France

Air Canada has inaugurated its new non-stop service provided up to five times a week all year round between Toulouse Blagnac airport and its hub in Montreal. This is the airline’s first-ever nonstop flight from Toulouse to Montreal. This new service is in addition to Air Canada’s other services departing from mainland France, namely flights operated all year round from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Toronto and Montreal, as well as the seasonal service between Nice and Montreal. With the addition of the annual Lyon-Montreal service starting October 13, 2023, Air Canada will offer five non-stop services between France and Canada.

Good to know when traveling through Canada

Traveling to the United States with Air Canada is easy by connecting in Canada. Passengers departing from France do not need to collect their baggage during the transfer and can pre-clear customs at US Customs and Immigration in Montreal and Toronto. Air Canada’s network and schedules are designed to allow its passengers to arrive quickly at their final destination.

One of the largest German TOs also has an air fleet

Schauinsland Reisen announced that it has become the main owner of the airline Sundair, of which it already owned 49% since its creation in 2016. In a press release, the airline underlines that it also becomes the majority shareholder of the Croatian sister airline FlyAir41.

“We believe in these two brands and want to establish them even more firmly in the market,” said Gerald Kassner, managing director of Schauinsland. He points out that with this movement, they take on “more responsibility” and, simultaneously, strengthen their “own position in the market”.

Riyadh Air presents its first Boeing 787

Riyadh Air’s first Boeing 787-9 is the first of two liveries offered. After being painted in Portland, the 787-9 Dreamliner flew to Charleston, South Carolina. Sources say it will be exhibited at the Paris Air Show (June 19-25). First deliveries of the jumbo jet are scheduled for early 2025.

The question that comes up: which Gulf companies could marry to resist this new competition? Emirates and Etihad are often mentioned.

Saudi Arabia aims to turn the country into a global aviation hub.

Qatar Airways resumes flight to Tokyo

Qatar Airways is resuming daily service between Hamad International Airport in Doha and Tokyo–Haneda International Airport. Since June 1, 2023, Qatar Airways has been connecting the two destinations with a direct flight operated by a latest-generation Airbus A350-900, equipped with 36 award-winning Qsuite Business Class seats and 247 Economy Class seats.

In addition to the Doha-Narita service, this resumption will increase the frequency of flights to the Tokyo metropolitan area from Doha. This frequency will increase from seven to fourteen flights per week, thus offering optimal connectivity to French and international passengers.

Play Airlines: a 10th aircraft

The airline PLAY has received a new Airbus A321neo just out of the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany. This acquisition marks an important step for the company by further strengthening its successful partnership with Airbus.

With this latest addition, PLAY’s fleet now has a total of 10 Airbus aircraft, making it one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Europe, with an average age of around two years.

Commissioning of the China C119

China, which seeks to become self-sufficient in technology, has invested heavily in the production of this first Chinese-designed airliner. The aircraft is built by the state-owned company Comac, but many parts of the machine come from other countries, like the Leap engine, produced jointly by the French Safran and the American General Electric.

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