First Starlink Fees, European Passenger Rights Improve, Sun Country Disappears, and More Airline News

We’ve got a Europe-centric update this week, including a new Air France Lounge in London, new amenity kits from Air France and British Airways, and positive changes to passenger rights via the European Parliament. Elsewhere, Copa Airlines has caused a stir with its Starlink rollout, plus more.

Starlink Is No Longer Free on Every Airline

The rollout of free Starlink by many airlines eliminated all issues related to inflight connectivity.

Going against the grain, Copa Airlines has introduced fees for using its Starlink connectivity, which was rolled out for the first time on July 4. However, business class passengers and those with elite status can connect for free. Until now, Starlink founder Elon Musk has prohibited airlines from charging for the service.

The airline, which became the first in Latin America to offer Starlink, plans to complete installation by 2027.

Sun Country Aircraft Will Eventually Disappear

Allegiant completed its acquisition of Sun Country in May, and the latter’s planes will eventually disappear from airports. Once the FAA issues a single operating certificate for the merged airlines, Sun Country branding will be removed, and the airlines will operate under the Allegiant brand.

However, it will likely be a few years before all 47 of Sun Country’s planes are repainted in Allegiant livery.

European Passenger Rights Set To Improve

The European Parliament has voted in favor of positive changes to policies regarding your rights when flying in the EU or with a European Airline. One of the most significant changes is that passengers will soon be able to use the second flight of a return ticket even if they didn’t take the first.

The famous EU261 refund policy has also been updated with new distance and delay length categories, including a lower threshold of 2 hours instead of 3 for flights of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) or less. Additionally, the highest €600 ($685) compensation for flights over 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) will now only be awarded for delays of 4 hours or more. Delays of between 3 and 4 hours will be awarded €300 ($343), and airlines will have a tougher time rejecting passenger claims.

You can read more about the pending changes here. Final approval is expected in August.

Air France Opens New Heathrow Lounge, Adds New Amenity Kits

Air France continued to expand its international lounge presence this week with the opening of a new location at London Heathrow (LHR) on July 7. The 8,000-square-foot space, the airline’s first and only lounge in the U.K., is open to eligible departing passengers from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Additionally, the Paris-headquartered carrier has unveiled sleek and ever-chic new amenity kits for its premium, business, and La Première (first class) cabins.

More Oneworld Lounges Are On the Way

More Oneworld-branded lounges could appear in up to 20 airports around the world. While we shouldn’t expect any new locations to open in the next year, the airline alliance has a list of around 20 airports it’s interested in opening lounges in. Speaking with Executive Traveller, Ole Orvér, Oneworld CEO, confirmed that Frankfurt (FRA) is on that list.

The future lounges are likely to be a mix of completely new spaces, lounge replacements, or even a combination or conversion of existing Oneworld member airline lounges.

British Airways’ New Amenity Kits

The U.K.’s flag carrier has ended its partnership with luxury brand The White Company for its amenity kits. As of August, the business class kits will be packaged in roll-top bags featuring colorful designs by British artists.

Moving from its classic, formal style to these colorful, playful — and, dare I say, less luxurious — new kits is a bold move for British Airways. The White Company will also be replaced as the provider of the kits’ contents, opting for Anatome, an apothecary based in London.

Final Thoughts

This week’s news has examples of airlines investing in their brand and others that could be seen as scaling back. Air France’s new Heathrow lounge and amenity kits are an example of the former, while BA’s new amenity kits could be considered the latter by some.

As for Starlink, it was only a matter of time before an airline started charging. If only the FAA could take a page out of the European Parliament’s book…