Passenger Experience News

Skift • Meghna Maharishi

JetBlue opens BlueHouse — its first-ever lounge — at JFK Terminal 5 on Dec. 18, 2025

JetBlue opens its first-ever airport lounge, BlueHouse, at New York JFK's Terminal 5 at 5:00 AM on December 18, 2025. The Art Deco–inspired, two-floor facility spans roughly 9,000 sq ft and is the carrier's inaugural in-network premium amenity.

2025-12-11T05:04:11.676572-08:00

Business Wire

NetJets to outfit 600+ business jets with Starlink by end of 2026, trimming long Gogo tie

2025-12-10T07:37:57.364433-08:00

safran-group.com

Kingswood Capital to acquire Safran Passenger Innovations (RAVE IFE and connectivity)

2025-12-10T00:18:38.193215-08:00

newsroom.lufthansagroup.com

Lufthansa Group unveils unified visual identity across carriers and customer channels

2025-12-10T05:56:25.466890-08:00

Passenger Experience News Timeline

Skift

❗️

JetBlue opens BlueHouse — its first-ever lounge — at JFK Terminal 5 on Dec. 18, 2025 JetBlue opens its first-ever airport lounge, BlueHouse, at New York JFK's Terminal 5 at 5:00 AM on December 18, 2025. The Art Deco–inspired, two-floor facility spans roughly 9,000 sq ft and is the carrier's inaugural in-network premium amenity.

2025-12-11T05:04:11.676572-08:00

JetBlue opens BlueHouse — its first-ever lounge — at JFK Terminal 5 on Dec. 18, 2025

Economic Times

Akasa Air receives 31st Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 fitted with Safran Z200 cabin, eyes 195 more jets Akasa Air has taken delivery of its 31st aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 featuring Safran Z200 seats that add comfort and onboard connectivity, at Bengaluru International Airport. The handover underlines the carrier’s fleet expansion strategy as it plans to induct a further 195 aircraft in coming years.

2025-12-10T15:16:57.583981-08:00

Akasa Air receives 31st Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 fitted with Safran Z200 cabin, eyes 195 more jets

Via Satellite

❗️

ITA Airways equips four A320neos with Viasat–ESA Iris to enable 4D trajectory-based operations ITA Airways has installed Viasat’s Iris satellite datalink—developed with the European Space Agency—on four A320neo aircraft to enable 4D trajectory-based operations. The system is intended to cut airborne delays, optimise fuel burn and support more predictable, efficient flight trajectories across Europe.

2025-12-10T13:23:21.485469-08:00

ITA Airways equips four A320neos with Viasat–ESA Iris to enable 4D trajectory-based operations

Skift

Google tests shortcut into AI Mode on mobile, a fresh threat to travel search referrals Google is testing a mobile shortcut that lets U.S. users jump from AI Overviews directly into its conversational AI Mode. The test could keep travel shoppers inside Google's interface and further reduce referral traffic to airlines, OTAs and metasearch partners.

2025-12-10T11:15:16.463156-08:00

Google tests shortcut into AI Mode on mobile, a fresh threat to travel search referrals

CNBC

Southwest 'actively pursuing' airport lounge network as it pivots into premium offerings Southwest's CEO said the carrier is "actively pursuing" creation of an airport lounge network, a clear step toward a paid premium product. The announcement follows recent tests of a high-end co-branded credit card and other ancillary reforms as the airline reshapes its customer and revenue strategy.

2025-12-10T09:27:43.434892-08:00

Southwest 'actively pursuing' airport lounge network as it pivots into premium offerings

PaxEx.Aero

❗️

beOnd accelerates global push — files for Saudi AOC, targets US Oct 2026 launch and will add inflight internet beOnd is moving from boutique charter to scheduled operations, applying for a Saudi AOC and planning launches in Saudi, the U.S. (target Oct 2026) and India. It will add inflight internet across an A320-based premium leisure and all-business product, but U.S. partner exits and funding gaps leave execution uncertain.

2025-12-10T09:08:44.306706-08:00

beOnd accelerates global push — files for Saudi AOC, targets US Oct 2026 launch and will add inflight internet

Business Wire

❗️

Vertical Aerospace, Skyports and Bristow to launch UK’s first eVTOL air‑taxi network Vertical Aerospace, Skyports Infrastructure and Bristow Group unveiled plans to launch the UK’s first commercial eVTOL air‑taxi network, aligning service rollout with Vertical’s new Valo aircraft unveiling. Initial routes centre on Canary Wharf links to Heathrow, Gatwick, Cambridge and Oxford.

2025-12-10T08:31:55.581255-08:00

Vertical Aerospace, Skyports and Bristow to launch UK’s first eVTOL air‑taxi network

Business Wire

❗️

NetJets to outfit 600+ business jets with Starlink by end of 2026, trimming long Gogo tie NetJets will install SpaceX Starlink broadband on more than 600 business jets through the end of 2026, beginning installations across its U.S. and Europe-based fleet. The move shifts the fractional operator away from a 20‑year relationship with Gogo and accelerates Starlink adoption in business aviation.

2025-12-10T07:37:57.364433-08:00

NetJets to outfit 600+ business jets with Starlink by end of 2026, trimming long Gogo tie

Create a free account to see more recent Passenger Experience stories.