United Kingdom | December 5, 2016– Hawaiian Airlines (HAL) has selected Inmarsat’s next generation IP-based SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) platform for installation on its new Airbus A321neo (new engine option) fleet.
Inmarsat’s SB-S service will deliver secure broadband connectivity via the Cobham AVIATOR 350D system to the flight deck for all voice and data applications on HAL’s new single aisle aircraft being line fit by Airbus.
The new agreement expands the current partnership between HAL, Inmarsat, Cobham and Rockwell Collins, established during on-going in-flight evaluations of Inmarsat SB-S and Cobham’s purpose-built AVIATOR solution on-board HAL’s Boeing 767-300 aircraft, as part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supervised technology evaluation.
Paradigm shift
SB-S is Inmarsat’s next generation communications platform offering global, high-speed, secure IP connectivity for the flight deck. It enhances airline safety and operations through more powerful and flexible communications and the availability of real-time, in-air information for pilots, crew and air traffic management.
It represents a paradigm shift in aviation safety services, delivering always on, always secure applications such as flight data streaming (“Black Box in the Cloud”) and real-time Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications, including networked graphical weather.
Rockwell Collins provides the managed service between the Inmarsat ground stations that enable the aircraft to seamlessly communicate with HAL’s host systems, ground crews and regulatory agencies anywhere in the world without interruption.
Airline innovation
Captain Mary McMillan, Inmarsat Aviation Vice President of Safety and Operational Services, said: “Airlines with eyes on the big picture are seeking innovative ways to achieve efficiency gains and dynamically manage their fleets through the use of digital solutions.
“We are pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has experienced the benefits of SwiftBroadband-Safety and has now chosen to expand its commitment to high speed broadband in the flight deck with its A321neo’s. Clearly, the evaluation has been a great success.”
Brian Anderson, Air Transport Sales Manager, Americas, Cobham SATCOM, said: “The selection is a direct result of the team’s recent success with the Hawaiian B767 program for the FAA evaluations of SwiftBroadband-Safety service which is affirming the reliability and performance of the Cobham hardware and the Inmarsat’s satellite network.”
Industry support
Inmarsat’s SB-S has received a high level of industry support, including the recent selection by Airbus of the Inmarsat solution for its A320 and A330 aircraft families and the successful ongoing evaluations with Hawaiian Airlines.
Recently, Inmarsat, Cobham and Hawaiian Airlines announced that SwiftBroadband-Safety and Cobham avionics had enabled in-air Electronic Flight bag connectivity for the first time with Hawaiian Airlines.
Watch Hawaiian Airlines pilots and Flight Operations leadership talk about the benefits of IP broadband in the flight deck in this video
Whitepapers
Inmarsat’s whitepaper ‘SwiftBroadband-Safety: The Future Of Aircraft Communications’ can be downloaded online here.
Inmarsat’s whitepaper ‘Black Box in the Cloud Solutions’ can be downloaded online here.
- Cobham SATCOM’s leading role in supplying next generation avionics and broadband communications to increase safety and optimise fleet performance reinforced by agreement to install AVIATOR 350D on new A321neo fleet
Lyngby, Denmark | December 5, 2016– Leading manufacturer of satellite communications solutions Cobham SATCOM has announced that its AVIATOR 350D system has been selected by Hawaiian Airlines (HAL) for installation on its new Airbus A321neo (new engine option) fleet.
The Cobham system, supporting Inmarsat’s IP-based SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) service, will deliver satellite connectivity to the cockpit for all voice and data applications on Hawaiian Airlines’ new single aisle aircraft and will connect to Cobham HGA-7001 High Gain antennas that are being line fit by Airbus.
The next generation IP-based broadband capabilities enabled by the Cobham solution enhance airline safety and operations through better communications and the availability of real-time, in-air information for pilots, crew and air traffic management.
This selection means that the AVIATOR 350D will be installed on the Hawaiian Airlines A321neo aircraft via the Avionics Support Group, Inc. (ASG) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) (FAA STC # ST04150AT), which has been granted for the A319, A320 and A321 families of aircraft.
The new agreement expands the current partnership between Hawaiian Airlines, Cobham, Rockwell Collins and Inmarsat, established during on-going in-flight evaluations of Cobham’s purpose-built AVIATOR solution and Inmarsat SB-S on-board Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767-300 aircraft, as part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supervised technology evaluation.
Brian Anderson, Air Transport Sales Manager, Americas, Cobham SATCOM, said: “We are delighted to announce this selection by Hawaiian Airlines, which is the latest demonstration of how we are continuing to lead the way in the development of the next generation IP-based safety service SATCOM systems.
“The selection is a direct result of our team’s recent success with the Hawaiian B767 program for the FAA evaluations of SwiftBroadband-Safety service which is affirming the reliability and performance of the Cobham hardware and the Inmarsat’s satellite network.”
Captain Mary McMillan, Inmarsat Aviation Vice President of Safety and Operational Services, said: “Airlines with eyes on the big picture are seeking innovative ways to achieve efficiency gains and dynamically manage their fleets through the use of digital solutions. We are pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has experienced the benefits of SwiftBroadband-Safety delivered through Cobham advanced AVIATOR avionics and has now chosen to expand its commitment to high speed broadband in the flight deck with its A321neo’s. Clearly, the evaluation has been a great success.”
Both Cobham SATCOM’s next-generation AVIATOR S Series and SB-S have received a high level of industry support, including the recent selection by Airbus of the Cobham and Inmarsat solutions for its A320 and A330 aircraft families and the successful ongoing evaluations with Hawaiian Airlines.
Rockwell Collins provides the managed service between the Inmarsat ground stations that enable the aircraft to seamlessly communicate with HAL’s host systems, ground crews and regulatory agencies anywhere in the world without interruption.
SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) is Inmarsat’s next generation communications platform offering global, high-speed, secure IP connectivity for the flight deck. It represents a paradigm shift in aviation safety services, delivering “always on, always secure” applications such as flight data streaming (“Black Box in the Cloud”) and real-time Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications, including networked graphical weather.
- New customer presents successful project at EFB Users Forum in Hawaii
Raunheim, Germany | November 1, 2016– Lufthansa Systems today announced that Hawaiian Airlines has become the latest customer for its Windows-based Lido/eRouteManual navigation solution. Lido/eRouteManual provides electronic navigation charts for all flight phases. From 2017, the entire Hawaiian Airlines fleet will navigate using Lido/eRouteManual.
Each year, around 570 million passengers fly on planes based on navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems. Airlines around the world use Lido/Navigation solutions. Lido/eRouteManual has already been deployed by more than 50 airlines worldwide. The application for Windows-based systems comprises navigation charts for take-off and landing procedures as well as route charts including all important route information like altitude and airport data. These charts are generated directly from the Lido navigation database, which includes worldwide aeronautical information and topographical data. The app’s Lido/AMM (Airport Moving Map) module, which Hawaiian Airlines will roll out in a second step in 2017, provides precise airport charts.
Thanks to wireless data updating via the Mobile Updater pilots are no longer tied to fixed updating processes. Instead, they can update the digital navigation charts anytime and anywhere. This saves time and allows pilots maximum flexibility, because an Internet connection is all they need to update.
“We are proud to have gained this important new customer in North America and look forward to many years of cooperation with Hawaiian Airlines,” said Michael Schmidtborn, Vice President Sales & Services North America bei Lufthansa Systems.
Hawaiian Airlines will present the successful project this week at the EFB Users Forum in Hawaii. Experts from Lufthansa Systems will also be at the conference. “We are giving the attendees an exclusive preview of the new release of Lido/eRouteManual, which will be officially launched at the end of the year,” revealed Igor Dimnik, Director Products at Lufthansa Systems.
The EFB Users Forum takes place twice a year and is one of the most important events in the EFB industry. At the Forum, providers and avionics manufacturers demonstrate their latest developments and discuss the technical and operational trends surrounding the Electronic Flight Bag with airline representatives.
Captions (copyright: Lufthansa Systems): Lido/eRouteManual enables Hawaiian Airlines pilots to benefit from paperless navigation.
- Bluebox’s IFE platform in Hawaiian’s A330 Premium Cabin is a win-win for passengers and the airline
Dunfermline, UK | October 12, 2016– Bluebox Avionics has partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to mark a “first” for in-flight entertainment (IFE) and Bluebox’s innovative IFE systems. The airline, which last week launched sales for its unique Premium Cabin service on the Airbus A330 for select markets, designed its seats to include Bluebox’s award-winning IFE system delivered on 12.9” iPad ProTM devices. This is the first deployment of a Bluebox IFE solution based on the iPad Pro as standard in a premium-class service.
“When designing our Premium Cabin for the A330 aircraft, we wanted to redefine the leisure travel experience to Hawaii,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “Having our seats custom-built meant we could also include a totally new IFE solution as part of that experience – one that delivered the highest quality visuals on a large-format screen. That’s why we turned to our partners at Bluebox for a solution.”
“Bluebox’s system gives Hawaiian the ability to provide the latest high-quality technology in its cabins, tracking the rapid evolution of device technology and making Hawaiian Airlines a perfect example of a first mover – bypassing the status quo to deliver something unique to its passengers,” said David Brown, Bluebox’s Joint Managing Director. “Our IFE platform not only provides an excellent customised passenger experience but saves airlines money – a win-win for both passengers and airlines.”
Airlines are looking for new ways to deliver outstanding services to passengers whose expectations are much greater in terms of technology and content. Bluebox’s use of commercial off-the-shelf devices to deliver its IFE system helps airlines meet these expectations and provides airlines with a more cost- effective IFE option.
“Bluebox has the relationships secured to deliver early window content on our systems and a high- quality platform that is much easier to deploy and upgrade at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems,” added Brown.
This latest solution for Hawaiian’s A330 Premium Cabin reflects the carrier’s commitment to enhance its IFE options, and another “first” for their ongoing relationship with Bluebox. In 2013, Hawaiian Airlines was the only U.S. carrier to offer the iPad miniTM on all of its wide-body Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Deploying a Bluebox system on 1,500 devices across 14 aircraft, the iPad mini devices replaced all portable entertainment systems on Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767 routes at that time.
Hawaiian’s new Premium Cabin featuring IFE powered by Bluebox Avionics is available for travel starting
December 5th between Honolulu and Narita, Brisbane and Auckland, and as of December 13th for flights
between Honolulu and Sydney. Hawaiian’s lie-flat seats debuted this summer as a surprise-and-delight
experience for guests traveling on the airline’s North America network. The Premium Cabin will arrive in
additional markets as the company retrofits its fleet of 23 wide-body A330 aircraft through 2017.
Partnership with Cobham, Rockwell Collins and L2 Consulting Services
United Kingdom | June 9, 2015– Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced that Hawaiian Airlines is now the first commercial airline to fly with its SwiftBroadband Safety service on its Boeing 767-300 fleet. The first flight took place on June 3 after the Supplemental Type Certificate for the service was awarded.
Highlights
• Enables the fast and efficient transfer of ‘Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System’ (ACARS) data messages using Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband connectivity via a secure, dedicated ‘pipe’ to the cockpit
• Rockwell Collins’ ARINC service delivered through Cobham SATCOM AVIATOR terminal, installed by L2 Consulting Services
• An FAA Supplemental Type Certification allows the service to be used on Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 aircraft
• Service expected to be commercially available from Q1 2016
The SwiftBroadband-based service also supports flight deck voice services and provides dedicated IP connectivity to the cockpit, enabling access to new applications, which can increase safe and efficient operations in oceanic airspace, such as Electronic Flight Bags and flight data transmission. It can also transmit four-dimensional position reports, enabling airlines to meet the ICAO mandate for sub-15 minute tracking of all aircraft.
SwiftBroadband Safety will provide an enhanced version of Inmarsat’s Classic Aero service, enabling Air Navigation Service Providers and Air Traffic Management to receive and transmit data and messages, such as ‘Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract’ (ADS-C) and ‘Controller Pilot Datalink Communications’ (CPDLC), faster and more efficiently. More than 10,000 commercial aircraft currently use Inmarsat Classic Aero services for secure communications.
Captain Mary McMillan, Inmarsat Aviation’s Vice President for Safety and Operational Services, commented: “This first commercial flight of a SwiftBroadband Safety equipped aircraft will be a key milestone in the launch of this exciting new safety service. We are very proud that the trials have been conducted in collaboration with a leading airline like Hawaiian, and of our successful partnership with aviation technology pioneers Rockwell Collins, Cobham and L2.
“The service is part of our long-term commitment to continuous innovation and investment to meet the growing demand for quality broadband to the aircraft and the cockpit, and to improve safety and efficiency in oceanic airspace. This is the first time air navigation service providers are able to experience the performance of the terminal, using our leading satellite communications offering.”
Kim Gram, Vice President of Cobham SATCOM’s aeronautical business unit, said: “We are very pleased to announce this significant STC, which allows communication of ACARS data over SwiftBroadband, and means we can continue with the scheduled installation of the Cobham systems on the rest of the HAL fleet and enables us to measure the quality of the communication and present this information to the authorities to attain a formal approval of SBB as a safety service. SBB has previously only been a service for cabin entertainment, which is why this agreement with HAL is important in successfully proving the benefits of SBB satcom with ACARS data capability to the cockpit, such as increased bandwidth capabilities for air traffic control and operational capabilities to the cockpit. Using SwiftBroadband IP connectivity for all domains of the aircraft will provide safer and more efficient flights.”
“Rockwell Collins is proud to be involved in enabling another aviation first for flight safety as well as helping our vision of the connected aircraft become a reality,” said David Poltorak, Vice President, Aviation and Network Services for Rockwell Collins. “Beyond enhancing safety, the growth of broadband connectivity for the flight deck will provide exciting opportunities to bring new flight-enhancing operations and cockpit services to airlines. Many of these services will require significant amounts of data to be delivered to and from the aircraft, which we are well positioned to handle now and in the future.”
“SwiftBroadband Safety will have a significant impact on our flight operations,”said Ken Rewick, Vice President of flight operations for Hawaiian Airlines. “In addition to gaining an upgraded path to FANS (Future Air Navigation System), we’re also in a position to implement Electronic Flight Bag and Airline Operational Communication applications such as timely weather updates, reroutes and fuel planning over a broadband channel. As a long time Rockwell Collins customer, we are pleased to be using the ARINC aviation communications network to enable this important evaluation.”
Mark Lebovitz, president of L2 Consulting Services, said; “We are motivated to support improved aviation safety services, so we developed a Supplemental Type Certification to approve the new high speed Inmarsat datalink and position reporting communication option.”
The service now begins the phase of in-use monitoring allowing Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to assess performance against the ICAO ‘GOLD’ FANS datalink standard. This assessment is made under the auspices of the FAA PARC group and, as further operators become equipped, in other ICAO regional groups. ESA provided essential support to the work programme in its development phase.
Annapolis, MD. | June 9, 2015– Rockwell Collins announced that its ARINC aviation communications network is playing a central role in enabling Hawaiian Airlines’ operational evaluation of the Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS) using Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband (SBB) service.
SBB enables voice and ACARS/FANS data transmissions when aircraft are flying over oceans, improving safety and efficiency in oceanic airspace.
“Rockwell Collins is proud to be involved in enabling another aviation first for flight safety as well as helping our vision of the connected aircraft become a reality,” said David Poltorak, vice president, Aviation and Network Services for Rockwell Collins. “Beyond enhancing safety, the growth of broadband connectivity for the flight deck will provide exciting opportunities to bring new flight-enhancing operations and cockpit services to airlines. Many of these services will require significant amounts of data to be delivered to and from the aircraft, which we are well positioned to handle now and in the future.”
“SwiftBroadband Safety will have a significant impact on our flight operations,” said Ken Rewick, vice president of flight operations for Hawaiian Airlines. “In addition to gaining an upgraded path to FANS, we’re also in a position to implement Electronic Flight Bag and Airline Operational Communication applications such as timely weather updates, reroutes and fuel planning over a broadband channel. As a long time Rockwell Collins customer, we are pleased to be using the ARINC aviation communications network to enable this important evaluation.”
“This will be the first time the industry, and particularly the air navigation service providers, will be able to experience the performance of the Rockwell Collins service via the Cobham terminal utilizing our leading satellite communications offering,” said Mary McMillan, vice president of Safety and Operational Services at Inmarsat. “We’re very pleased to be partnering with these leaders in the aviation technology and service business to bring this revolutionary new service to airlines.”
The trial is being conducted for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Performance-based operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PARC) Communications Working Group (CWG).
Rockwell Collins is the Inmarsat SBB service provider for the evaluation. The Rockwell Collins ARINC aviation communications network establishes the links and provides a managed service between the Inmarsat ground stations that enable the aircraft to seamlessly communicate and exchange ACARS, CPDLC and IP connectivity with Hawaiian Airlines’ host systems, ground crews and regulatory agencies anywhere in the world without interruption.
London, UK | August 29, 2013– Bluebox Avionics is delighted to announce that Hawaiian Airlines has selected the Bluebox In Flight Entertainment (IFE) solution deployed on the Apple iPad mini to replace its previous generation portable IFE deployment. A total of 1,500 Bluebox units will be rolled out across the Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767 long haul fleet. Hawaiian Airlines selected the Bluebox Ai IFE system on the iPad Mini to provide its passengers with access to the latest Hollywood early window content as well as a range of other movie, TV, audio, and gaming content.
“Hawaiian Airlines’ signature on-board hospitality is already very popular with travelers, but we wanted to go even further to ensure our customers’ travel experience is more enjoyable,” said Blaine Miyasato, Hawaiian Airlines vice president of product development. “With the help of Bluebox Avionics, we’re building on our acclaimed inflight service by incorporating the latest in popular consumer tech products to enhance our in-flight entertainment options.”
David Brown, joint Managing Director of Bluebox, is delighted to be working with Hawaiian Airlines. “Extensive experience in the successful operation of portable IFE means that Hawaiian Airlines was very clear on the requirements of a new system. We know the importance of a high quality passenger experience and we are also well tuned to providing capabilities that are simple and efficient for airlines and logistics partners to manage. These are capabilities at the core of Bluebox Ai. Hawaiian Airlines is our first client to utilise the Apple iPad mini, which delivers all of the capabilities of the Bluebox devices deployed to date but in a more compact form factor. I’m sure that this is going to be a very successful service.”
– First single-aisle Airbus aircraft to join Hawaiian’s fleet
Blagnac Cedex, France | March 25, 2013– Following a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2013, Airbus today announced a firm order for 16 A321neo aircraft from Hawaiian Airlines – the first single-aisle order of Airbus aircraft for the carrier. The aircraft will feature a comfortable two-class cabin with approximately190 seats. Hawaiian has not yet announced its engine selection.
“As our Airbus fleet expands, so does our destination network,” said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “Our fleet of A330s has prompted great response from our customers and employees alike. And the addition of the A321neo to our fleet is expected to generate around one thousand new jobs at our airline.”
“Airbus prides itself on being part of our customers’ growing successes, and this order is the perfect example of how the right plane at the right airline can alter not just a business culture, but a local community,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A320neo Family brings a further greening of our product line, and considering the environmental consciousness of the Hawaiian people, this aspect of the aircraft is another driver for eco-friendly, sustainable growth at the airline. It’s also the most comfortable single-aisle flying today.”
Incorporating new engines and large Sharklet wing tip devices, the A320neo Family will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent. In addition, the A320neo Family will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise. The A320neo will enter into service from late 2015, followed by the A319neo and A321neo in 2016.
More than 9,150 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,450 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft Family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometers) more range or two metric tons more payload at a given range.
SPRINGVILLE, Utah February 17, 2010 – Hawaiian Airlines signed a new four year contract extension with leading handheld inflight entertainment provider digEcor, Inc. Since 2004, Hawaiian passengers have enjoyed the digEplayer 5500. Starting in the next few months, passengers will be able to rent the digEplayer XLP.
digEcor’s President Brad Heckel commented, “The implementation of the digEplayer XLP is the first step in a longer term strategic partnership between Hawaiian and digEcor. We are dedicated to providing our clients with a robust IFE solution including flexible hardware, low cost content, and revenue generative programs. These customer benefits are a result of the continuous improvement programs, such as Lean Manufacturing and Software Development, that we have implemented.”
The first phase of the new agreement includes the replacement of approximately half of Hawaiian’s current digEplayer 5500 inventory, with the remaining stock being replaced in phase two. Also, the digEplayer XLPs will be initially offered on longer, premium routes.
Fully committed to revenue sponsored entertainment, the agreement also includes provisions to implement new revenue generative programs such as shopping and advertising. “Hawaiian has one of the most impressive and well oiled IFE rental programs that we have seen in the industry. Currently, the revenue just from the rental program makes the digEplayer program one of the best ancillary revenue programs that Hawaiian has inflight. The addition of our new programs will further increase the profitability of the program for Hawaiian.”
Content Administrator Jed Thompson noted, “Our close relationship with the studios allows us to pass content cost savings to Hawaiian and our other customers.” Hawaiian’s Vice President Louis Saint-Cyr added, “The wide range of inflight content choices that we are able to provide our customers through our digEplayer program is one of the great reasons our customers love our IFE program.”
“With the downturn in the marketplace, we have taken the opportunity to engineer new product offerings and build flexible content applications focused on the financial and logistical needs of our customers and the airline industry,” observed Heckel.