Eurowings first LCC to offer GX Aviation
Passengers on Eurowings short and medium haul fleets will have access to high-speed inflight broadband when it becomes the worlds first low cost carrier (LCC) to bring Inmarsats GX Aviation solution into commercial service.
Accessible via the airline’s WINGS Connect system from this month (February), Eurowings passengers will be able to go online to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more during flights. During the launch they will receive 10 minutes free connectivity to experience the service.
Last year, the airline launched with a free trial period on selected aircraft and there are currently 30 aircraft equipped with GX Aviation’s inflight broadband service.
As of this month, there will be another 30 aircraft in the Airbus A320 family offering inflight broadband and in the coming weeks, it should be possible to surf above the clouds on more than 70 Eurowings aircraft.
Introduction of the WINGS Entertainment in-flight entertainment system in 2016 has been a resounding success so far with many passengers already using their own mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops on their Eurowings flight.
Lufthansa Technik is responsible for installing the systems and components and also for licensing the system. It will fit the entire Airbus A320 family of the Lufthansa Group’s airlines with Inmarsat’s latest Ka-band satellite technology, taking just four days per aircraft.
Commercial service
By spring, nearly 185 aircraft are expected to have been equipped throughout the Lufthansa Group. Lufthansa Systems is providing the technical infrastructure for the inflight broadband connection on board, such as the WLAN network.
“We are delighted that Eurowings has become the first low-cost airline in the world to enter commercial service with GX Aviation,” said Sean Lund, Inmarsat Aviation’s Commercial Vice President.
“This is a significant milestone for Inmarsat, Eurowings and most importantly, for the passengers that now have access to world-class broadband onboard their flights. They are now able to send and receive messages, browse the internet, stream videos and more, with different packages available to suit their individual requirements.”
Oliver Wagner, CCO of Eurowings says, “Eurowings has always been one of the industry’s technology leaders. We are the first low-cost airline to offer our passengers a leading in-flight entertainment system paired with broadband Internet.
“So the collaboration with Inmarsat for Internet access is a logical conclusion. Technically speaking, the company has developed what is currently the most innovative and most powerful solution available. Our customers can now look forward to high-speed Internet on board our aircraft in the coming weeks.”
Within the partnership with Inmarsat, Eurowings has gone for the most technically innovative solution on the market, providing inflight broadband at a constant speed during flights. This means the wi-fi is available without interruption and provides an adequate data speed even when flying at an altitude of 10,000 metres.