Global Eagle Expands In-flight Connectivity Portfolio
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APEX Insight: Global Eagle recently announced two deals that extend its connectivity portfolio on single-aisle aircraft. During an investor update on September 14, the company confirmed that LOT Polish Airlines will feature its Ku-band satellite Internet solution and revealed an expanded relationship with flyDubai. Subject to approval by the Indian government, in-flight connectivity upgrades for Jet Airways were a possibility, it said.
During last week’s investor update, Global Eagle confirmed that it will be the IFC service provider on LOT’s six upcoming Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with deliveries scheduled to begin later this year. It said the deal was driven by a pair of factors. Global Eagle was the first vendor to achieve line-fit offerability on the 737 MAX line, giving it an advantage in install timing and support. The company’s executive vice-president of Connectivity, Joshua Marks noted that its IFC deal with LOT was not the result of a typical request for proposal process. Rather, Global Eagle’s long-standing content relationship with the airline meant it was well positioned to expand into the connectivity segment. Global Eagle said that discussions were ongoing regarding retrofits on board LOT’s existing fleet of seven 737s, but that no decision has been made.
Global Eagle will also continue to expand its connectivity offering with flyDubai. The low-cost carrier will install its Ku-band connectivity kit on at least eight 737 MAXs. The carrier has 75 of the type on order. Some of the eight are already in service today so retrofits will be required on those aircraft. Global Eagle already provides connectivity on the carrier’s fleet of 54 737-800s.
“We continue to install our wireless in-flight entertainment system on Jet Airways 737NG aircraft. Decisions have not yet been made beyond that by Jet Airways.” – Joshua Marks, executive vice president of Connectivity at Global Eagle
Finally, Marks detailed the current outlook for getting Wi-Fi on to aircraft in India, saying he remained optimistic that it would be a matter of when, not if, approval by the Indian government comes.
“We continue to install our wireless in-flight entertainment system on Jet Airways 737NG aircraft. Decisions have not yet been made beyond that by Jet Airways. We are in active discussions related to the timing of when those aircraft will be upgraded to full connectivity, but clearly we’re all waiting for the Indian Government to give the approval before we announce specific contract amendments and timetable for upgrading those aircraft with connectivity antennae,” he said.
The presence of onboard streaming would give the airline an advantage when it comes to transitioning to Global Eagle’s full connectivity platform. The in-cabin hardware is in place and the content portal software is ready to go. Passengers are familiar with the interface so adding the internet access to the options is a relatively easy adjustment to make.