Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

British Airways recently began installing Starlink Wi-Fi, which is an exciting development, given that it will eventually unlock fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the carrier’s fleet. While this is great news on the surface, British Airways has one surprising policy that’s sure to delight some, and upset others. British Airways isn’t blocking or banning inflight callsGenerally speaking, airlines have rules against making video and voice calls via inflight Wi-Fi. We’re finally at the point where we’re seeing inflight connectivity that’s fast enough to support these kinds of uses. The major concern is how disruptive it will become if you start…

LATAM Airlines has completed its first long-haul flight equipped with internet connectivity.  The new service was introduced on a Boeing 787-9, although LATAM Airlines has not shared details of the specific flight on which it became available. According to Chilean aviation news site El Aéreo, this happened on a flight between Madrid (MAD), Spain, and Sao Paulo (GRU), Brazil. The new service will complement the airline’s existing seatback inflight entertainment (IFE) platform, called LATAM Play.  LATAM Airlines has earmarked around $60 million to fit its 60 long-haul aircraft with satellite-based connectivity between 2026 and 2028. The service will be provided…

I often compare the “big three” US carriers to one another in posts, as I find it interesting how the competitive dynamics have changed over time. In this post, I’d like to focus on Europe, and how I think one airline has really differentiated itself, at least when it comes to passenger experience. I’ve often mentioned in passing how I think Air France has become Europe’s best airline. I’d like to take a bigger picture look at that, and especially reflect on just how much has changed in roughly a decade. The reason I’m bringing this up is because Lufthansa…

The Pentagon has signed a seven-year framework agreement with Boeing to triple the production of seekers for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE), in a move the Pentagon says reflects a broader shift in how it intends to manage defense procurement.  Direct supplier engagement  A PAC-3 MSE interceptor missile (Credit: Lockheed Martin) Rather than routing the production commitment through Lockheed Martin, the PAC-3 MSE prime contractor, the Pentagon engaged Boeing directly as a critical sub-tier supplier. alongside a separate, concurrent agreement with Lockheed Martin to more than triple output of the PAC-3 MSE all-up round.   The Pentagon…

We recently saw American Express launch its new Sidecar by Centurion Lounge concept at Las Vegas Airport (LAS). This is a twist on the traditional Centurion Lounge experience — it’s available to passengers with flights departing within 90 minutes, and it’s a much smaller space with more of a restaurant style vibe, with food and drinks that can be ordered via QR code. We’ve known that Amex plans to introduce the Sidecar by Centurion Lounge concept at more airports with Centurion Lounges. A few weeks ago I covered how airport documents revealed the next airport that would get one of…

The secretive U.S. Air Force NT-43A RAT55 was spotted flying with a NASA callsign in one of the areas reserved for the launch of the Artemis II mission, opposite to the one used by the WB-57 Canberra. NASA is set to launch the Artemis II mission on Apr. 1, 2026, at 6:24 pm EDT (22:24 GMT), which will be the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. As usual for NASA missions, one of the agency’s WB-57 Canberra high-altitude research aircraft will observe the launch while flying in the airspace surrounding the Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy…

Ibrahim Canliel has taken over as Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana Group, stepping into the role after more than two decades with the Kazakh carrier. Canliel, who has served as the group’s Chief Financial Officer since 2017, officially assumed the head role on April 1, 2026. He first joined Air Astana in 2003 in senior commercial roles and has been part of the leadership team that steered the airline through its transformation into a publicly listed company on both the London and Kazakhstan stock exchanges in 2024. In his new role, Canliel will oversee both Air Astana and its…

Ibrahim Canliel has taken over as Chief Executive Officer of Air Astana Group, stepping into the role after more than two decades with the Kazakh carrier. Canliel, who has served as the group’s Chief Financial Officer since 2017, officially assumed the head role on April 1, 2026. He first joined Air Astana in 2003 in senior commercial roles and has been part of the leadership team that steered the airline through its transformation into a publicly listed company on both the London and Kazakhstan stock exchanges in 2024. In his new role, Canliel will oversee both Air Astana and its…

Figure 1. A Locust laser direct energy weapon, shown here mounted on an infantry squad vehicle, was used in the area near El Paso International Airport in February. Photo: US Army. By Colleen Mondor April 1, 2026, © Leeham News: On Feb. 26, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced another Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in southern Texas airspace. As it did two weeks prior when closing the airspace over El Paso International Airport and a portion of southern New Mexico, the agency cited “Special Security Reasons.”  Figure 2. Fort Hancock TFR #FDC 6/1113 courtesy tfr.faa.gov. Within 24 hours of the…

Singapore Airlines has given its Premium Economy cabin a refresh, rolling out new dining options, champagne service, and eco-friendly amenity kits as of March 31, 2026. It marks the first major update to the cabin class since it launched in 2015. Champagne and porcelain Premium Economy passengers will now be offered a glass of Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV champagne shortly after takeoff. Meals will be served on custom-made porcelain serviceware and presented on linen-lined trays with proper silverware, a step up from the previous setup. A printed menu card will also be provided, listing meal, snack, and beverage…