Have you tried Starlink WiFi on a Hawaiian Airlines flight?

Boarding a plane is always an exciting moment, but it can also be stressful as passengers jostle and jostle to secure overhead space for their carry-on bags. With this in mind, some airlines play music during the boarding process, with different airlines choosing different types of music. In the UK, flag carrier British Airways prefers classical music, while budget leisure airline Jet2 welcomes passengers with Jess Glynne’s pop hit “Hold My Hand” as they board. I personally prefer the former approach and would welcome the wider use of slow classical music on airlines around the world, but sometimes pounding pop melodies can be a bit too intense when there’s already so much going on around you. Would you like to see boarding music used more widely, and if so, what type of music? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Since in-flight WiFi became widespread, airlines have been trying out more and more “bring your own device” in-flight entertainment services. Essentially, this allows passengers to use their phone, tablet, or laptop to access the airline’s audiovisual content over the in-flight WiFi, without having to use the integrated screens on the seatback. It allows airlines to save money by not having to install a dedicated IFE system, but for me, it’s not a substitute for the real thing. Since most passengers travel with only their phone, this method limits the big screen experience to those with tablets and laptops. It also encourages battery consumption that would otherwise be saved by not using phones during the flight. And since only a few seats (but this is on the rise) can hold a phone or tablet at eye level, passengers often have to balance their phone on the tray table and crane their neck down for hours on end. So the integrated IFE screens on the seatback are a great way to get around this.

We recently reported on the longest domestic flights in the world. France in particular is a powerhouse in this field, thanks to its overseas consortium, with airlines operating direct domestic flights to destinations over 9,000 km (5,592 miles) away. French airlines fly from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Marseille to destinations like Reunion Island. Have you been on one of these long-distance domestic flights? Let us know below.

The long-delayed Boeing 777X program has faced another major setback with the grounding of the 777X test aircraft. The FAA had given the go ahead to begin type certification testing in July. After a test flight in Hawaii, maintenance personnel discovered that the thrust link on test aircraft WH003 had broken. This discovery led to inspection of other test aircraft, which found cracks in the thrust links on two more test aircraft. The 777X is a promising plane and airlines are eager to add it to their fleets, but the date keeps getting pushed back. At the Farnborough Air Show, Emirates President Tim Clark said Boeing does not expect to deliver until mid-2026. The airline ordered 200 of the planes, with deliveries originally scheduled to start in 2020. Boeing last updated the expected delivery date to 2025, before the latest failure occurred. With the test aircraft grounded, Boeing is trying to determine what caused the specially designed titanium part to break.

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) delivered the 29th ARJ21 to Air China last week. COMAC has delivered 142 ARJ21s to 12 customers, including 11 in China and 1 outside China. Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines each ordered 35 ARJ21s from COMAC in 2019. This order of 105 aircraft continues the ARJ21 project.

Chengdu Airlines began the program in 2015 with an order for 30 ARJ21s, but only two remain to be delivered. If COMAC cannot secure new orders for ARJ21s soon, the program will hit oversupply around the second half of next year.

COMAC is also trying to expand beyond China. At this year’s Singapore Airshow, Tibet Airlines ordered 40 C919s and 10 ARJ21s. The company also flew its C919 and ARJ21 jets to multiple locations in Southeast Asia for demonstration flights after the airshow, attracting more customers. Moreover, in May this year, a Tibet Airlines delegation visited Singapore Airlines’ Singapore branch.

Whether airline passengers prefer aisle or window seats is a question that has been debated for ages. Both seats have different advantages. Window seats are great for watching the world change below you, and you can rest your head against the wall when you feel sleepy. But some travelers, like me, prefer the freedom of an aisle seat. In an aisle seat, you don’t feel cramped and you can stand up and stretch your legs without having to squeeze through the seat next to you. So, which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!