German carrier Condor (DE) and Lufthansa Systems have launched BoardConnect, a new generation in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that provides wireless access to a wide range of entertainment and information.
The service was introduced on board a flight from Frankfurt to the Greek island of Rhodes and back.
BoardConnect gives passengers travelling with their own laptops, tablet PCs and smartphones direct access to an extensive range of movies, music and information on board an aircraft. From mid-September, Condor passengers will be able to enjoy this revolutionary technology in a test run. Passengers can check the routes on which BoardConnect is available on board the Boeing 767-300 with the registration D-ABUZ on the Condor website condor.com under “Stars am Himmel.”
“In-flight entertainment is an important part of the travel experience and a way to stand out from the competition, particularly in the leisure segment,” said Rainer Kröpke, Head of Product Management and Marketing for Condor. “An innovative solution like this just fits with the Condor brand and our goal of offering passengers the most pleasant way to fly.”
“BoardConnect marks a new era in in-flight entertainment, with a broad offering for passengers, greater flexibility and lower costs,” said Norbert Müller, Head of BoardConnect Program Management at Lufthansa Systems AG. “Thanks to the innovative technology, airlines that install BoardConnect will set the standard in in-flight entertainment and will be able to unlock new revenue potential at the same time.”
BoardConnect is a WiFi network that comprises a server on board the aircraft plus several wireless access points in the cabin. This innovative solution is extremely cost-efficient and reliable, and it enables airlines to offer a wide range of information and entertainment that can be updated quickly and easily. BoardConnect also opens up the opportunity for new personalized on-board services and new ways of generating revenue through in-flight sales, for example.
Since no wiring is required to transmit data in the cabin, airlines can install Board Connect during routine maintenance or night stops without the need for additional ground time. The solution is also extremely reliable and incurs much lower operating costs than previous systems. The weight savings generated by the elimination of wiring and data transmission hardware reduce fuel consumption in a Boeing 767-300ER by over 80 metric tons per year.
