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Wireless IFE Archives - Inflight

SpiceScreen, a wireless IFE platform was developed in-house by SpiceJet with local partners

SpiceJet uses blockchain to enhance IFE experience

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SpiceScreen, a wireless IFE platform was developed in-house by SpiceJet with local partners

SpiceJet has become the first airline to informally adopt blockchain technology through its selection of a blockchain-based media platform for its in-flight entertainment, SpiceScreen.

SpiceJet has partnered with blockchain-based video streaming application provider Mzaalo and Mojo Boxx (formerly VuLiv) for the service, which allows SpiceJet passengers to access over 50,000 hours of Bollywood entertainment from Mzaalo on SpiceScreen, which is powered by just a pair of Mojo Boxx’s special Smartphone IFE Box.

Mzaalo’s content includes the best of Bollywood movies, regional cinema, original series, music videos and more.

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Marketing Officer, SpiceJet said: “Consumption of compelling content has become a way of life and this partnership enables us to bring the best of entertainment and experiences to our customers. As majority of Indian travellers prefer watching Bollywood, Regional movies, original shows, Mzaalo’s robust content library adds to the entertainment quotient on SpiceScreen.”

The complimentary in-flight entertainment system, SpiceScreen was introduced last August.

The wireless IFE platform streams direct to a passenger’s PED over the on-board wireless network.

Launching the service, Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet commented: “Innovation and SpiceJet go hand-in-hand. While we are extremely happy to launch our revamped in-flight entertainment system offering our passengers the latest and the best blockbuster content, what makes me specially happy and proud is that most of the technology used in SpiceScreen is ‘Made in India’ – developed indigenously by our team along with a local startup. Using Android  phones, weighing around 200 grams each, to perform the dual role of Wi-Fi servers and content hub is a remarkable achievement and costs us barely 1% of the cost that we were paying previously to foreign service providers!”

“Going forward, we will use the local Wi-Fi for providing additional on-board services to our customers. This is yet another step in our journey towards a stronger and a more Aatma Nirbhar airline.”

In a statement, SpiceJet explained it had developed SpiceScreen as a “higher quality, low-cost indigenous solution for in-flight entertainment”. The technology enables the carrier to use off-the-shelf, cost effective android mobile phones as the Wi-Fi server and router as well as the content hub and server. The mobile phones are loaded with specialised software and do not require SIM cards and each mobile phone can serve about 40 simultaneous connections.

As part of it ‘Made in India’ mantra, its unique Wi-Fi server on-board allows the airline to quickly “innovate in other areas too by developing software for other customer needs without having to depend on a foreign provider.”

January 21, 2021
Amelia is trialling Flymingo wireless IFE from Moment

Amelia trials Moment wireless IFE platform

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Amelia is trialling Flymingo wireless IFE from Moment

French aviation group Amelia (by Regourd Aviation) is to trial Moment’s Flymingo box aboard its aircraft.

In 2019, Regourd Aviation created the brand Amelia which conducts short-haul domestic flights between Paris and two cities in France: Rodez and Clermont Ferrand.

Amelia’s objective is to elevate the onboard experience by providing a digital platform that is user friendly and can be personalised according to passenger preferences.

Moment has deployed its Flymingo box, a portable Wireless IFE solution, along with its digital platform allowing for a seamless digital passenger experience. clientele which consists mainly of business passengers, and vacationers on the weekends.

The digital interface is accessible via passengers’ own devices and grants them access to all the information they previously would have in paper aboard the plane.

“We are beyond excited to work on this trial with a leader in W-IFE solutions such as Moment. We wanted to partner with a company that could guarantee we would attain our vision for a one-of-a-kind digital experience for our customers; that is exactly what we found with Moment’s Flymingo box,” stated Alain Regourd, President of Amelia.

December 17, 2020
Two of Titan Airways’ project team; (L) Andrew Taggart, Airbus A320 TRI, EFB Manager, Project Manager and Performance Engineer; and (R) Mark Holt, Account Director Image Copyright: Titan Airways

Titan Airways first customer for linefit Airbus OSP

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Two of Titan Airways’ project team; (L) Andrew Taggart, Airbus A320 TRI, EFB Manager, Project Manager and Performance Engineer; and (R) Mark Holt, Account Director Image Copyright: Titan Airways

UK independent charter airline Titan Airways has become the first customer to deploy Bluebox’s wireless in-flight entertainment software integrated into the Airbus Open Software Platform (OSP).

The system was part of a line-fit OSP installation on the carrier’s first new Airbus A321LR delivered in October 2020. The aircraft will be used by a luxury tour operator TCS World Travel, which requested additional IFE functionality to support its tour programme and upgrade its passenger experience. This included adding comprehensive destination-driven modules which interface with real-time flight route information and enabling TCS to manage bespoke content for these modules via Bluebox’s content management system.

OSP is Airbus’ standardised on-board hardware and software infrastructure available as both line-fit and retrofit for the Airbus A320 and A330 Family aircraft.

Bluebox was the first W-IFE partner selected by an airline customer for the Airbus OSP programme in 2019. For line-fit installations, integration of the passenger-facing IFE portal is completed after transfer of title to the aircraft customer. Airbus OSP is fully compatible with the aircraft manufacturer’s “Airbus Connected Experience”, which is driving the Internet of Things in the aircraft cabin and paving the way for a new personalised passenger experience and an open ecosystem approach for airlines.

According to James Macrae, Chief Technology Officer, Bluebox, Airbus OSP “was a strategic investment for us before COVID-19 and remains so as W-IFE is set to make real gains in the post-COVID world thanks to the ease of deployment and emphasis on touchless travel solutions. Enabling that final link to passenger devices – for entertainment, retail, and other in-flight engagement applications – from the point of aircraft delivery will become the new standard, and we’ve proven we can deliver it.”

To support customer development projects as part of the Airbus OSP programme, Bluebox has set up an Airbus OSP lab at the company’s expanded facilities in Scotland, in which Titan and TCS IFE user interfaces and content sets were tested, along with the system software package, before shipping to Titan for installation upon delivery of the aircraft. Bluebox’s Airbus OSP lab includes the Aircraft Communication Manager (ACM) – a media server hosting the Airbus ALNA/OSP software platform, a test harness for simulation of aircraft systems interfacing with the media server (such as ARINC data for moving maps, and the PA system for PA Pause), a 4G cellular gatelink capability, and a Wireless Access Point of the same type to be used in the line-fit solution.

Main picture: Two of Titan Airways’ project team; (L) Andrew Taggart, Airbus A320 TRI, EFB Manager, Project Manager and Performance Engineer; and (R) Mark Holt, Account Director Image Copyright: Titan Airways
December 10, 2020
Boeing and Immfly launch Digital Direct IFE platform

Boeing enters IFE field

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Boeing and Immfly launch Digital Direct IFE platform

Following the strategic investment from Boeing Horizon X in late 2019, Immfly and Boeing have announced the introduction of Boeing Digital Direct – a wireless in-flight entertainment (W-IFE) and digital services platform for airlines.

Boeing Digital Direct reduces high-touch materials and minimise flight attendant and passenger interaction, the service is deployed through an existing wireless network or through an all-in-one server that fits in an overhead bin, to enable streaming of content to passengers’ Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Boeing Digital Direct provides an easy user interface so passengers can enjoy movies, TV, music, games, kids content, moving maps and airline branded channels while also engaging with onboard digital retail offers. All content is loaded remotely and optimised on the backend with deep analytics to provide valuable insights.

Boeing Digital Direct can also drive robust ancillary revenue generation through e-commerce modules with onboard retail, content commercialisation, advertising and enhanced operational efficiencies.

The product will be available to all commercial airlines (both Boeing and non-Boeing operators) and launched as a retrofit option under Boeing Global Services. Future line-fit solutions are currently under consideration.

November 27, 2020
InflightDublin Everhub new GUI

Condor trials Inflight Dublin’s Everhub platform

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InflightDublin Everhub new GUI

Condor has extended its long-term relationship with Inflight Dublin, with the selection of the Everhub wireless IFE solution, for trial on three long-haul Boeing 767 aircraft.

From November, the Everhub software platform will be accessible to Condor’s passengers through Inflight Dublin’s recently upgraded passenger web application which features a brand-aligned Graphical User Interface (GUI) available in 11 languages. The content package consists of secure DRM content such as Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows, as well as games and publications. Condor’s duty-free onboard magazine ‘bordshop’ will also feature in the catalogue.

Condor will have access to Inflight Dublin’s cloud-hosted Control Centre, enabling remote configuration of all active services deployed on the servers. The Control Centre also houses Inflight Dublin’s analytics tool, IFD Insights, which will provide intuitive and insightful reports detailing the performance of the hardware, software and content offering on board.

November 6, 2020
Bluebox WOW wireless-IFE server

Bluebox and dnata catering to develop joint product and service offerings across Pacific

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Bluebox WOW wireless-IFE server

Bluebox Aviation Systems and dnata catering Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and market offerings based on the deployment of Bluebox wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions across Australia, New Zealand and a number of other Pacific Ocean territories.

“COVID-19 has changed the landscape for in-flight catering and logistics, and by partnering with Bluebox we’ll be able to help our customers mitigate some of the restrictions required in this new touch-free world. This means allowing airlines to minimise contact and dialogue between passengers and cabin crew but still delivering an excellent service and a full range of food, drinks and retail goods that are such an essential part of the ancillary revenue income for many airlines,” said Duncan Greeney, General Manager Retail, dnata catering. “Aiming to appear seamless to passengers, integrating complex systems – in this case an IFE platform and catering logistics – can actually be quite complex technically, and in the present climate our customers need solutions that are simple and quick to deploy.”

“IFE as we knew it was already evolving to deliver so much more than in-flight entertainment, and COVID-19 expedited our delivery of touch-free payments for on-board retail and the digitisation of materials that support ancillary revenue generation, such as digital menus and magazines which provide significant advertising revenue for airlines,” said David Brown, Business Development Director, Bluebox.

“Now, though we have the expertise in the passenger interface, content integration, secure payments and the wireless technology to deliver it all, by partnering with dnata catering we can expand the platform further into the on-board logistics systems, integrating the catering and retail elements they provide. So, we’re really delivering an in-flight engagement platform for enhancing the passenger experience on board – still ‘IFE’, but well beyond entertainment.”

October 6, 2020
Inflight Dublin Everhub screenshots

Inflight Dublin upgrades web app

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Inflight Dublin Everhub screenshots

Inflight Dublin’s wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, Everhub, has been upgraded with new features to minimise physical touchpoints and increase ancillary revenue opportunities. The upgraded web app is available as part of Inflight Dublin’s recently announced six-month free trial of the Everhub wireless IFE solution.

The web app has a new design with switchable light and dark themes and new Material User Interface (Material UI) and Progressive Web App (PWA) features that allow the web-based interface to appear as a native application without the need for any app/SDK installations on the end-users device.

Everhub supports banner ads, pre-roll video ads, and interstitial ads which can appear on a timed basis or popup when navigating through the system. With the growing need for contactless and paper-free initiatives, health and safety information and onboard protocols can be fully digitised, reducing risks by eliminating unnecessary touchpoints onboard.

The web app is integrated with Everhub’s cloud-hosted Control Centre which provides back-office capabilities at no additional cost to the airline. The upgraded web app also includes Inflight Dublin’s data analytics platform, IFD Insights. This offers airlines access to content usage trends, advertising reports, and survey feedback, providing constant updates on the performance of their IFE offering onboard.

“The upgraded passenger web application enhances our established Everhub product which combines a flexible hardware platform with software, content, and revenue-generating services. This provides airlines with a one-stop-shop solution which can be deployed onboard in a matter of weeks. The upgraded web app comes just in time to complement our 6-month wireless free trial offering and will be a core part of our wireless solution going forward,” stated David Miller, Inflight Dublin’s CTO.

September 23, 2020
OWG aircraft in flight

OWG selects Bluebox WOW for IFE offering

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OWG aircraft in flight

New Canadian airline, OWG, a subsidiary of Nolinor Aviation, is to deploy Bluebox WOW, the wireless IFE solution from Bluebox Aviation Systems.

Bluebox Wow will deliver IFE content, such as app-free DRM movies and TV as well as a moving map, wirelessly to passengers’ own devices on the Boeing 737 aircraft.

“In the current climate, so much focus is rightly on passenger safety on board. But when we announced OWG, I said our goal is to get travellers excited again,” said Marco Prud’Homme, President of OWG and Nolinor Aviation. “With Bluebox Wow offering movies and other entertainment, passengers can look forward to their time on board being a relaxing and enjoyable experience.”

“Every new deployment is positive for us but this one is particularly special given the state of our industry this year – being part of a new airline intent on providing passengers an exceptional experience on board as they head off to much-anticipated holidays in the sun is very exciting,” said Kevin Clark, CEO of Bluebox.

Launched by Nolinor in July, OWG has since established strategic alliances with Hola Sun Holidays and its sister company Caribe Sol in Quebec to offer direct and dedicated flights to Cuba, with holiday destinations including Cayo Coco, Holguin, Santa Clara and Varadero. The new holiday carrier takes its first flight in November flying Canadian vacationers south to Cuba.

September 11, 2020
AdonisOne portable IFE system

Avant Aerospace to offer customers AdonisOne IFE system

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AdonisOne portable IFE system

Portable IFE (In-Flight Entertainment) System, AdonisOne, is now available from Avant Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of West Star Aviation Holdings.

A self-contained, portable unit that only requires Wi-Fi, AdonisOne has no installation costs, requires no aircraft downtime, has no internet charges and no associated maintenance fees, while also providing a GPS-based moving map system with no extra fees or data consumption.

“The cost of upgrading an aircraft’s cabin can be significant, specifically for how quickly technology changes, and this small, portable unit can provide a top quality in-flight entertainment option instantly at a fraction of the installed price,” stated John Hardy, Avant Aerospace.

July 20, 2020
nflight Dublin's wireless IFE solution Everhub

Inflight Dublin offering limited free trial of Everhub

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nflight Dublin's wireless IFE solution Everhub

Inflight Dublin is giving a helping hand to airlines who need some assistance in getting IFE back up and running now that flights are resuming.

Inflight Dublin is offering its wireless IFE solution Everhub on a six-month trial basis to assist airlines in pausing content and integration costs, whilst providing a high quality and user-friendly IFE experience to passengers.

The Everhub portable wireless server is DO-160G certified and minimises operational costs through its hot-swappable battery configuration and remote loading of content.

“Wireless IFE is continuing to grow in popularity as it minimises touchpoints for passengers and is an affordable option for airlines that want to deliver high-quality content to their passengers. Many airlines are already experiencing the benefits of Everhub, with our innovation programme ensuring that our solutions meet the changing needs of the market,”  commented John White, Inflight Dublin’s CEO.

July 15, 2020