Kontron airborne hardware and Immfly software combine in wireless inflight entertainment solution for Iberia Express Airlines

AUGSBURG, Germany, 6 April 2016. Engineers at Immfly, an in-flight digital solutions provider in Barcelona, Spain, have qualified an advanced airborne server and cabin wireless access point (CWAP) from Kontron, a global provider of embedded computing technology (ECT) with headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, for Immfly’s wireless in-flight monetization solution on Iberia Express Airlines.

The onboard e-commerce and entertainment platform was tested on half the fleet in 2015, enabling Iberia Express passengers to experience the system as part of regular service. Outfitting the remainder of Iberia Express’ fleet with Immfly’s integrated digital platform is expected to be complete before summer 2016.

Immfly received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) airworthiness approvals for the Airbus A320 family of passenger jets within a year of the start date thanks to Kontron’s open architecture-based platforms, officials say.

“Supporting Immfly in meeting their deployment goals with the ability to shorten critical time to market requirements is one of the main reasons why Kontron’s complete line of open architecture system solutions has been so successful in the global aviation market,” says Jim VandeSteeg, head of Kontron’s avionics business line. “A key component to our strategy is partnerships with innovative companies such as Immfly. Kontron’s value add is providing pre-validated hardware systems that meet continuing aviation system evolution while satisfying current requirements such as Immfly’s need to deliver local content that is unique to the Spanish market.”

The Kontron solution includes the company’s ACE Flight 600 airborne server and Cab-n-Connect 802.11n Wireless Access Point (CWAP), a complete set of hardware products necessary to implement the Wi-Fi network onboard the aircraft, and supports Immfly’s unique application software intended to increase airline customer loyalty by boosting Net Promoter Scores and delivering new ancillary revenues, officials explain.

The two companies continue to work together to enhance the Wi-Fi system with Kontron’s latest Cab-n-Connect A100 that supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and the ACE Flight 4600 with 4G LTE capabilities for enhanced ground connectivity.

“At Immfly, we set out to develop a digital onboard platform to improve the way people travel allowing them to connect simultaneously through their handheld devices and enjoy tailored news streaming of videos, travel guides, e-shopping, among other services. The success of our proven deployment represents a significant growth opportunity for Immfly, with an aim to reach 100 million connected passengers by 2018,” says Alfredo Ibanez, CTO at Immfly. “Continuing to collaborate with Kontron will enable us to expand this vision to reach beyond the more than 230,000 passengers who have already enjoyed the Immfly platform during their flights.”

Kontron is a global supplier of airborne servers, wireless access points, and communication units to the rapidly growing In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity (IFE&C) market. There are currently more than 3.500 commercial aircraft and business jets operating worldwide with Kontron equipment on board.

Immfly has developed a platform for eCommerce, entertainment and connectivity on-board aircraft that allows all passengers to purchase last-minute activities and transport for their destination midflight and at a special price. The channel also offers more than 100 types of sponsored entertainment (including TV programs, newspapers and news channels) along with travel guides for the principal European destinations.

Headquartered in Barcelona, Immfly was founded in 2013 with the support of more than 50 influential multinational partners. Immfly helps airlines fulfill their digital aspirations from the company’s advanced in-flight digital solutions that increase customer loyalty by boosting Net Promoter Scores amongst passengers and helping create new ancillary revenues via platform sponsorship and e-commerce services. Immfly’s goal is to be the preferred monetization service platform for the travel industry, reaching 100 million yearly connected on-board passengers by 2018.

Intelligent Aerospace
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