Though AirFi’s LEO light connectivity and entertainment system has broken cover elsewhere, scrappy German carrier LEAV Aviation has become the first airline to publicly announce its deployment of the award-winning system.
LEAV Aviation operates two 180-seat Airbus A320s on charter and scheduled flights to destinations across the Greek islands, the Balearics, and Scandinavia. Under its agreement with AirFi, the carrier will fit the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-powered system to both aircraft, enabling members of crew to authorize credit cards in real time to facilitate a smarter onboard retail program, and passengers to send and receive text messages. Passengers can also stream cached entertainment wirelessly to their devices from the onboard server contained within AirFi ‘s signature orange box.
An IP-based solution, AirFi’s LEO offering ferries data via two tiny window-mounted antennas — one on either side of the aircraft — using Iridium Communications’ Certus 100 service, over L-band LEO satellites. Two connections, each with data speeds of up to 88 Kbps, can ably support messaging and real-time credit card transactions.
Financial terms of the agreement between Cologne-based LEAV Aviation and AirFi have not been disclosed, but AirFi founding partner and CEO Job Heimerikx tells RGN that the carrier has selected the firm’s aircraft-powered solution (as opposed to its portable, carry-on box) and that the entire system, inclusive of antennas and receiver, will be installed by AirFi’s European install team in an overnight.
Asked what messaging services will be favored by LEAV Aviation for passengers, Heimerikx revealed: “WhatsApp above the rest but they get the entire portfolio of options available and they can activate or deactivate to their liking.”
AirFi’s mobile payment solution, meanwhile, gives flight attendants access to a fully integrated point-of-sale system, enabling secure, real-time payment validation and allowing for a broader range of onboard shopping experiences.
Passengers should start recognizing the changes any day now.
Daniel Broda, CEO of LEAV Aviation, says: “We’re always looking for ways to enhance our passenger experience, and our partnership with AirFi is a major step in that direction. With new streaming entertainment, onboard connectivity, and a smarter retail system, we’re making flying with LEAV more enjoyable and convenient than ever.”
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Feature image, LEAV; embedded image, AirFi
