Travel Technology News

Airguide Online, Sept 8, 2008

Sep 8, 2008

As the airline industry struggles in the face of skyrocketing fuel prices, the siren song of revenue generation is luring a growing number of airlines to commit to new in-flight entertainment and connectivity services. Carriers renowned for their in-flight offerings and others eager to boost high-end business traffic are investing significantly in new technology to ensure brand differentiation. In past downturns, airlines often sidelined new IFE and connectivity projects to focus on core activities and cost-cutting.

In the aftermath of 9/11, for example, three major US carriers dropped plans to equip their aircraft with Connexion by Boeing, the now-defunct high-speed internet and live television service. Such offerings were not viewed as essential. Those ambitious enough to take the Connexion leap - Lufthansa, for example, equipped a sizeable chunk of its fleet with the system - found themselves burdened with heavy fuselage-mounted antennas when the service was discontinued.

But as thousands of industry executives prepare to descend next week on Long Beach, California for the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition, and Aircraft Interiors Expo, a new found optimism is evident. Sep 2, 2008

Aeromexico

Aeromexico has launched the IMS 7-inch Portable Media Player on its Boeing 767-200 and 767-300 aircraft during the summer. Sep 3, 2008

AeroMobile

AeroMobile, the in-flight cellphone system operator, will be celebrating six months of commercial service at this year's World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) Conference and Exhibition in Long Beach, California. Following the successful launch of the world's first authorized calls on a commercial airline in March this year, AeroMobile this also hits a century this week with the activation of services with its 100th roaming telecom partner. The pioneering provider is also in advanced talks with four leading airlines to add to its existing customer base which comprises Emirates, Qantas Airways, V Australia, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. AeroMobile is the only service provider in this sector to have advanced beyond the trial stage and now have by far the most experience in operating in-flight mobile services for airlines and their passengers. However, the most satisfying news of the last six months operations with Emirates has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. There has been so much misinformation about the potential impact in-flight calls would have on fellow passengers. Sep 8, 2008

Air France

Air France last week introduced mobile phone boarding passes on its 15-times-daily Paris Charles de Gaulle-Amsterdam service. Sep 8, 2008

Air One

Air One utilizes the IMS 7-inch Portable Media Player in business class as well as offers them for rent in economy, augmenting the overhead video system onboard their A330's on routes between Italy and the United States. Sep 3, 2008

ARINC

ARINC Direct today announced it has expanded its SKYLinkSM broadband satellite communications network to include substantial coverage of the Caribbean, Central America, and part of South America. ARINC's development partner, SES AMERICOM, is providing the new satellite coverage over its Ku-band Satellite NSS-7, and will be transitioning to its future home on SES AMERICOM's AMC-21 satellite in the fourth quarter of 2008. In combination with Rockwell Collins eXchangeTM product line, the SKYLink satellite network provides the only in-flight Ku-band broadband communication solution available to business jet operators today eXchange with Service by SKYLink. ARINC conducted extensive Beta tests of the new SKYLink coverage from the Gulf of Mexico to northern Peru. Cooperating SKYLink customers helped to map the signal strength, and during a recent test flight a customer made routine use of SKYLink Internet access enroute from Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK), Chicago, Illinois to Eldorado International Airport (SKBO), in Bogota, Colombia. Sep 8, 2008

e.Digital

e.Digital Corporation, a leading technology innovator of dedicated portable entertainment systems and patented flash memory-related technology, announced today the delivery of an opening eVU portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and services order to Austrian Airlines. To date, over 30 airlines have made dedicated portable systems powered by e.Digital technology their in-flight entertainment choice. Headquartered in Vienna, Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier airline for Austria flying to 130 destinations worldwide. Austrian Airlines recently received first place honors in two categories of the 2008 World Airline Awards. Sep 4, 2008

e.Digital

e.Digital's enhanced studio-approved eVU portable entertainment system features a multi-language customizable passenger-friendly interface and an industry-leading 20 hours of continuous video playback from a single battery charge. eVU is available in either 7" or 8" high resolution LCD screen with 80 GB to 200 GB of rugged and reliable storage for many hours of movies, television shows, music, specialty programming and games. eVU is the smallest and lightest dedicated long play portable IFE product available today and integrates the latest in battery safety features through its removable "Smart" rechargeable high capacity battery pack. Sep 4, 2008