Runway Girl Network

Some airline routes are special because of the insatiable passenger demand they create, like Seoul to Jeju in South Korea, which is often ranked as the world’s busiest route. Others are special because they link two globally influential cities like New York and London. Then there’s Dallas to New York, which is increasingly attracting a higher than average proportion of business travelers, and, as of February 2026, is notable in another way: American Airlines’ new inflight Texas barbe

US start-up Merlin Labs is eyeing civil applications for its AI-powered, defense-grade Merlin Pilot autonomous flight control system and says there is “no hard ceiling” for the size of aircraft its technology could eventually be installed on. Describing fully uncrewed civil flight as “a very long game,” the developer’s initial approach to autonomy is very much “co-pilot first, not an empty cockpit,” Merlin’s chief technical officer, Tim Burns, tells Runway Girl Network. On the civil

The New Terminal One at JFK has selected Wilson James, a leading provider of Passengers Requiring Assistance (PRA) services, as its dedicated partner to design and operate a comprehensive assistance program for passengers who require additional support when traveling through the new all-international terminal. The partnership underscores The New Terminal One’s commitment to delivering people-centered and accessible experiences for every guest.  The New Terminal One is a key component of the Por

Bluebox Aviation Systems today announces a new partnership with Tigerair Taiwan to introduce a wireless inflight entertainment experience across the airline’s 17 Airbus A320 aircraft. The deployment will be powered by Bluebox Wow, battery-powered portable wireless system, delivering the Blueview digital services platform to passengers’ personal devices. The service will mark Tigerair Taiwan’s first inflight entertainment system, bringing a new digital dimension to the onboard experience across a

Aer Lingus has equipped the first aircraft in its fleet with Starlink, delivering ultrafast, reliable Wi-Fi to customers and marking a major step forward for customer experience. Customers travelling from Dublin to New York JFK on flight EI105 today are the first to experience the innovative technology, which enables customers in every cabin to seamlessly access free, fast, reliable internet for streaming, working, gaming, and staying connected. Starlink is a constellation of more than 10,000 sa

Please enjoy this Op-Ed contribution from Unum VP Business Development, Alan McInnes Moving beyond the traditional considerations of structure, comfort and certification, aircraft seating is a critical integration point for power, in-flight entertainment (IFE) and connectivity systems that passengers increasingly expect to function seamlessly. As these systems become more central to the passenger experience, the challenge for seat manufacturers is not simply how to integrate them, but how to des

WASHINGTON D.C. — Rapidly putting the wheels in motion to launch a next-generation Medium Earth Orbit satellite network, dubbed meoSphere, SES intends to pair the new service with Low Earth Orbit satcom to power multi-orbit MEO/LEO inflight connectivity for airlines, company CEO Adel Al-Saleh revealed at SATShow 2026. The move will differentiate SES from other broadband IFC providers. At present, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator and aero ISP provides two key multi-orbit IFC solutions in t

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) has revealed critical new insights into what’s reshaping aircraft cabin innovation across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, and how airlines and suppliers must adapt in one of the world’s fastest evolving aviation markets. Drawing on insight from airlines, design agencies and technology specialists across the region — including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Air New Zealand, LIFT Aero Design, JPA Design, Viasat and Valour Consultancy — the latest analysis

LOS ANGELES — Before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the airline industry, one-third of all United Airlines’ domestic US departures were on 50-seat regional jets. While that number has fallen to just 10% today, United isn’t resting on its laurels as demand for premium travel products remains high. Enter the CRJ-450. Similar to the CRJ-550, which is simply a lower-capacity CRJ-700 configured with 50 seats, the CRJ-450 is a Mitsubishi CRJ-200 in disguise. The total seat count drops by nine seats to

ZIPAIR Tokyo Inc. (“ZIPAIR”) and Axinom today announced the airline’s selection of Axinom Stream to power its modern onboard streaming platform as part of its in-flight entertainment (IFE) offering. Built on Axinom Stream, the solution enables DRM-protected Hollywood content delivery to passengers’ personal devices (PEDs). As a digital-first airline with a PED-only cabin concept on long-haul routes, ZIPAIR places particular emphasis on high-quality onboard streaming as a core c

Already a customer of Panasonic Avionics’ eXW wireless inflight entertainment system, UAE-based Air Arabia is now flying with the IFEC giant’s Ku-band multi-orbit onboard connectivity solution, Runway Girl Network can reveal. The all-Airbus A320 Family operator is among a cluster of carriers rolling out the high-speed solution, says Panasonic Avionics vice president of product & portfolio management Andrew Masson. Using Gilat Stellar Blu’s ‘Sidewinder‘ electronically steera

Anuvu, a leading provider of worldwide entertainment solutions for mobility markets and high-speed inflight connectivity, has kicked off a substantial performance upgrade of inflight connectivity services on over 100 Turkish Airlines narrowbody aircraft.  The inflight connectivity enhancement project commenced with an agreement signed between Turkish Airlines and Anuvu, and their local partner Profen, to deploy Anuvu’s Dedicated Space technology. Dedicated Space uses an artificial intelligence p

As travellers become increasingly mindful of their health and wellbeing, airlines are evolving their onboard services to meet changing passenger expectations. In response to the growing demand, World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Wellbeing Walk-Through feature for the 2026 show.  The immersive show-floor feature will guide visitors through a trail of exhibitors showcasing food, drink and onboard solutions designed to support

Immfly, Wizz Air, and gateretail have launched an integrated digital cabin ecosystem that unifies onboard retail, passenger and crew connectivity, and operational data into a single platform, marking a significant step forward in the digital transformation of Europe’s commercial aviation sector. The collaboration brings together Immfly’s digital cabin technology, gateretail’s in-flight retail expertise and deep understanding of passenger buying behaviour, and the Equilux–Iridium connectivity sol

Border control and lost baggage are the two remaining “pain points” when it comes to creating seamless air passenger journeys. But smart technology deployment and closer cooperation between airlines, airports and regulators could help resolve these issues and free up enough space to transform the future passenger experience at airports, industry executives suggested on a recent panel hosted by SITA and the Financial Times‘ global event arm, FT Live. Technology can reduce border processing

United Airlines has announced the next phase of its long-term plan to win brand loyal customers and further differentiate itself from competitors. The airline expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028 — the most by any airline in a two-year period — to further modernize its fleet, add new aircraft variants, create a new experience for transcontinental travelers and introduce new onboard products for every customer, reinforcing United’s position as a leading premi

ALTO Aviation, a leading supplier of premium cabin audio systems and cabin control for business aviation, part of Heads Up Technologies, Inc. (“HUT”), has announced at the 69th Annual AEA Convention and Trade Show in Dallas, TX, the expansion of its Cadence Cabin Management System portfolio with the launching of its new generation of touchscreen panels and M3 metal panels designed specifically for aftermarket aircraft upgrades.  The new ALTO touchscreens provide aircraft owners, completion cente

U.S. Government shutdowns disrupt airport operations and a variety of private businesses, from airlines and bizjet operators to airport shops and restaurants. Please enjoy this Op-Ed contribution from Mohamed Yousuf, the CEO and founder of Smart Workforce AI. When government shutdowns occur, they cause a significant amount of chaos and confusion for federally run programs and private entities. While discussions, deals, and decisions are being made behind closed doors, everyday people must adjust

Virgin Atlantic is delighted to unveil its refreshed flagship Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) following the first phase of a redesign and refurbishment. Further enhancing the airport experience for Upper Class customers heading back to the US, Caribbean or Canada or for those connecting onwards to India or South Africa, the new space offers a new cinema area, work pods, a refreshed Gallery space, and a new Royal Box VIP area created in the likes of the newly launched Clubhouse at LAX

Eutelsat today highlighted the growing adoption of its OneWeb LEO connectivity service in the global rail market, including the development and testing of new terminals by Kymeta and Hughes Network Systems. Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO service is available to rail operators worldwide through a broad network of distribution partners, specialised rail integrators, and direct relationships with train operators. The company already serves multiple rail deployments in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle Eas