New services, deals

Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines announced on Thursday that it has become the first airline in China to allow in- flight passengers to pay for things online.

Using technology by Shareco, a subsidiary of the airline’s parent, HNA Group, passengers can access Wi- Fi in- flight and shop online.

The airline has also applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China ( CAAC) to start two routes to Sapporo, Japan – one from Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, and one from Guangzhou, the provincial capital.

Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines said on Thursday that it will cooperate with Tourism and Events Queensland to promote a marathon along Australia’s Gold Coast in July. Sina Sports, a subsidiary of Chinese Internet giant Sina Corp, will also be the sponsor.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will take place on July 1 and July 2. The event’s website will have a registration page in Chinese.

Hong Kong Airlines now flies three times a week from Hong Kong to the Gold Coast.

Airbus

US and EU aviation safety regulators have certified Airbus A321neo aircraft powered by LEAP- 1A engines, the aircraft maker has announced.

The European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration have granted joint type certification to A321neos equipped with the engine. The aircraft made more than 160 flights and spent more than 400 hours in the air to test its airframe and systems.

Boeing

Boeing debuted its first 737 MAX 9 on Tuesday in the US.

The 737 MAX 9 is the second member of Boeing’s 737 MAX family. It has a maximum capacity of 220 passengers and a range of 3,515 nautical miles.

The 737 MAX 9 is scheduled to enter service in 2018 and is on track to be delivered to customers in the second quarter of 2017.

The 737 MAX family was designed to offer customers exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, with lower per- seat costs and an extended range that will open up new destinations in the single- aisle market.