A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

The Seamless Air Alliance (SAA), committed to the development of open architecture platforms for next-generation in-flight connectivity, is demonstrating key technologies that will underpin those systems this week at the Paris Air Show 2019. Formed in early 2018, SAA (Hall 6 Booth B49) now has more than 20 members, including Airbus, Collins Aerospace, Delta Air Lines, Inmarsat, and Safran.

 


“This demonstration is a big step for the Alliance in showcasing the progress that we have made in recent months,” said SAA CEO Jack Mandala. “We want to empower airlines with more control over the connectivity experience delivered to their passengers.”

 


With the support of Alliance members GlobalReach Technology (GRT), Sprint, and Boingo, the alliance demonstrated on Monday in Paris Hotspot 2.0., representing part of the Alliance’s work in promoting open standards, Wi-Fi cellular, and 5G technologies. Since its launch in 2013, mobile network operators worldwide have used Boingo’s Hotspot 2.0 and its encryption protocols to automatically configure devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks at airports, hotels, and other venues.

 


“Wi-Fi is crucial for today’s travelers,” said GRT chief product officer Mark Carter. “Hotspot 2.0 provides passengers with secure, frictionless connectivity across multiple devices and planes.”

 


Seamless ground to in-air connectivity promises “an entirely new level of convenience, productivity, and entertainment for travelers,” said Sprint v-p of product marketing and innovation Doug Smith. Mandala added, “Open specifications will drive down the cost and complexity [of inflight connectivity] for airlines.”

 


Indeed, a research study that SAA released at this year’s World Mobile Congress in Barcelona concluded technology standardization would increase the value of the in-flight connectivity market by $11.4 billion (€1.57 billion).

 


U.S.-based SAA also introduced in Paris a new membership tier designed to enable airlines of all sizes to join the alliance. The next SAA members’ meeting is scheduled for July 10 to 11 in London.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Seamless Air Alliance Touts Open Architecture Connectivity

Org formed in early 2018 aims to “empower airlines” with more control over passenger inflight Wi-Fi experience

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Pilots can enjoy modern safety enhancements in a 1930's-inspired package.

With a Design Refresh, Junkers Aircraft A50 and A60 Still Honor Germany’s Rich Aviation Heritage

Charles Alcock

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Engineering v-p Sebastien Vigneron has taken over from Brian Yutko

Boeing Leadership Shuffle Means New CEO for eVTOL Developer Wisk

Hanneke Weitering

Doctors and patients in Penghu could fly in SkyDrive's eVTOL aircraft 

SkyDrive Plans Aeromedical eVTOL Flights in Taiwan's Penghu Islands

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Business jets are often used by governments for diplomatic purposes.

Germany’s Fleet of VIP Bombardier Global 5000s and Airbus Jets Flies Its Leaders around the World

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

U.S. technology group will now provide inceptor controllers for pilots

Honeywell Expands Role with Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL Aircraft 

Curt Epstein

Airframer had its highest revenues in nearly a decade

Embraer Sees Strong Q1 Revenues and Deliveries

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Paris Airshow 2019

More In Aircraft

With a Design Refresh, Junkers Aircraft A50 and A60 Still Honor Germany’s Rich Aviation Heritage

Pilots can enjoy modern safety enhancements in a 1930's-inspired package.

Boeing Leadership Shuffle Means New CEO for eVTOL Developer Wisk

Engineering v-p Sebastien Vigneron has taken over from Brian Yutko

SkyDrive Plans Aeromedical eVTOL Flights in Taiwan's Penghu Islands

Doctors and patients in Penghu could fly in SkyDrive's eVTOL aircraft

Germany’s Fleet of VIP Bombardier Global 5000s and Airbus Jets Flies Its Leaders around the World

Business jets are often used by governments for diplomatic purposes.

Honeywell Expands Role with Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL Aircraft

U.S. technology group will now provide inceptor controllers for pilots

Embraer Sees Strong Q1 Revenues and Deliveries

Airframer had its highest revenues in nearly a decade

Whisper Reveals ‘Collaborative Logistics Aircraft’ Family

U.S. Air Force funds work on quiet, autonomous, hybrid-electric cargo aircraft

Bombardier Eyes Uncrewed Future for EcoJet Technologies

In the shorter term, Global 8000 is nearing completion

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN