Australian domestic low-fare carrier Virgin Blue plans to upgrade its recently introduced premium economy service from tomorrow, adding free food, drink and access to the LiveTV-based Live2air inflight television service.
Live2air is available on the greater part of the airline's 50-strong Boeing 737-700/800 fleet, though not its 18 Embraer E170s and E190s. Premium economy passengers on the 737s will be able to view free of charge the content for which economy travellers pay up to A$9.90 per flight.
Virgin Blue is LiveTV's only non-North American customer. The other takers for its direct-broadcast service are parent company JetBlue, Frontier Airlines and WestJet of Canada. JetBlue, Frontier and Continental Airlines plan to offer LiveTV's air-to-ground messaging and email service from next year.
"In the current economic climate every cent counts, whether the travel budget is coming from your own pocket or from your employer's," says Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey. "Our upgraded premium economy offering is going to add more value at a time when many companies are looking to trim their travel costs rather than their frequency of travelling."
The airline's premium economy passengers already enjoy priority check-in and boarding, extra space in the first three rows of seats, lounge access at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra airports, and a checked baggage allowance of 32kg.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Connect with us on socials
