Companies form alliance to encourage airline innovation

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Aircraft manufacturer Airbus, carrier Delta Air Lines and communications companies Bharti Airtel, OneWeb and Sprint recently announced the launch of their Seamless Air Alliance, aimed at encouraging airline innovation.

The alliance will reduce costs while providing airline passengers with high speed, low latency connectivity using satellite technology.

Costs will be cut by increasing passenger accessibility, creating simple and integrated billing, providing open specifications for interoperability, and by streamlining system integration and certification.

Customers will have access to Sprint’s 5G network once it debuts in 2019.

The next revolution in aerospace is easy-to-use, high-speed connectivity, Airbus Digital Transformation Officer Marc Fontaine said. Airbus is committed to creating value in the aviation industry, Fontaine said.

“We know that Delta customers have an expectation that their internet connection just works – no matter where they are in their travel journey” Gil West, COO and senior executive vice president, said. “Delta is constantly looking at innovative ways to improve the customer experience. We are excited to be collaborating with other visionary companies, and that our existing partner Gogo will be joining the alliance as Delta develops a system that not only benefits Delta customers but the entire airline industry.”

The alliance hopes to attract additional members that want to create a positive passenger experience.