Inflight Wi-Fi provider (Gogo) has discontinued its deal to provide roaming Internet access for customers of Boingo airport Wi-Fi, announced in a notice sent to Boingo customers yesterday. In the past, users of Boingo could log on to Gogo with the same password. The company said to it’s customers; “Because you’re a loyal Boingo user who has logged in to the inflight Wi-Fi services provided by our partner Gogo, we thought it was important to let you know that effective June 1, that will no longer be possible.” As an“ease of service deal” only, we suspect more is going on here. The note from Boingo went on: “We’d like to apologize for this change, since we know our customers really appreciated this convenience.” Boingo and Gogo inked a deal in 2011 and Gogo has “opted not to renew its roaming contract with Boingo.” The airport Wi-Fi service provider noted that it still has roaming agreements with Deutsche Telekom, for access on international flights who services nine other international airlines and we were wondering if this cancellation was a notice to the industry that Gogo might be heading in another direction – Airport Wi-Fi? It makes a lot of sense since a ground application at the airport – both before takeoff and upon landing – it could usher in a new line of service and revenue for Gogo… but that is just a guess on our part. Stay Tuned!

Here are a couple news notes from Global Eagle – “IFE Services, a subsidiary of Global Eagle Entertainment (NASDAQ:ENT), announced today that it has developed Iberia’s new inflight entertainment (IFE) content app. Called ‘IberiaOnBoard’, the freely downloadable app allows travellers to check out all of the IFE content available to them on their upcoming Iberia flights. Every movie and TV show is listed by genre and has a trailer with accompanying useful information including synopsis, cast, director, rating, duration and language availability. Music album information lists tracks and their times. A special Kids’ section showcases all of the specially selected children’s content on offer inflight. Mobile app development is just one of many new products Global Eagle Entertainment has introduced to the airline industry recently as the world’s leading inflight entertainment content and connectivity provider continues its focus to innovate on behalf of clients.” And the second “Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: ENT) announced today that its subsidiary IFP has entered into a multi-year agreement with Etihad Airways to provide inflight entertainment (IFE) content programming across its entire fleet, as well as to its partner airlines Air Serbia and Air Seychelles. Starting this quarter, IFP will provide a rich and varied program of regional and international content including popular movies, TV shows and audio programming to support the airline’s world-renowned guest experience. “We’re thrilled to have been selected by Etihad Airways for its content services,” added Walé Adepoju, Executive Vice President of Customer Solutions for Global Eagle Entertainment. (Editor’s Note: Strangely, the market has reacted negatively – “Global Eagle Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ:ENT) takes the last spot on today’s list of midday losers. Its price dropped -8.27% even after the announcement that its subsidiary IPF has entered into a multi-year agreement with Etihad Airways to provide inflight entertainment and content programming. In Soros’ investment portfolio since March 2013, ENT’s price has fallen -23.87% YTD,” noted Motley Fool.)

On another note, BE Aerospace just purchased EMTEQ, the LED lighting company who has a large investment in replacement lighting. The very profitable BEA has quite a business in the Boeing Sky Interior and we suspect they may be looking to garner more retrofit LED lighting work. The deals come about a month after B/E said it may be putting itself up for sale as part of “exploring and evaluating” its strategic alternatives. “Demand for comprehensive and integrated solutions for power management, lighting and connectivity within the aircraft cabin is growing,” Amin Khoury, B/E’s chairman and co-chief executive, said in a statement. ”The combination of our lighting and power management systems business with EMTEQ’s highly complementary lighting, cabin management and power systems businesses, as well as their electrical and connectivity expertise, will allow us to expand our product and service offerings in the commercial airliner and business jet markets.”

If you have been wondering why we have been covering the real-time aircraft inflight positioning brouhaha it is because there are a lot of potential links between inflight entertainment hardware (severs for example), and the connectivity platforms and data acquisitions that serve them. Yes, we are out on a limb here but we have been talking to a number of companies, new and some presently in the IFE business, who feel that there is a need to get this job done. While some see the potential of revenues based on position acquisition, weather, system data, and performance information, if data connections to the ground are established, it might fulfill an age-old discussion that claimed that the aircraft is the last remaining un-served node on the airline network. As it turns out, there is some compatibility. A good example is Panasonic’s FlightLink. Compatible or not, companies in our industry are racing to get in the business (or related industries) by acquisition, developing new services, and is some cases, new start-ups. This brings us to a “Stay Tuned” note for an upcoming article on Wisscom. You probably never heard of them but you might in the near future.

Now, while still on the previous subject, IATA Chief, Tony Tyler, in a recent speech referring to safety challenges, said the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 pointed to an immediate need. “A large commercial airliner going missing without a trace for so long is unprecedented in modern aviation. It must not happen again. IATA, ICAO and experts from around the world are working together to identify the best recommendations for improved global tracking. By September, we will deliver draft options to ICAO,” he said. Watch this one.

Recently, an IATA news release noted the following: “The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts the global airline industry will generate $18 billion in profits this year, but far from being a cause for cause for celebration, Director General Tony Tyler called this forecast a “challenge.” “The brutal economic reality is that on revenues of $746 billion, we will earn an average net margin of 2.4%,” Tyler said June 2 at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Doha, Qatar. “That’s less than $6 per passenger.” Tyler noted profits are improving, and the average return on invested capital (ROIC) today is 5.4%, higher than it has historically been, but that is short of what he said is the 7-8% ROIC investors demand.” We wonder if future IFE sales have fallout from this development, but it certainly explains the drive for ancillary revenue. Interestingly AIER noted in February 2014, commercial airlines—the buyers of commercial aircraft, the transportation sector’s third major component—hit a new record high in their revenue passenger load factor (the ratio of revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles in passenger services, a measure of the portion of aircraft seating capacity that is actually sold and utilized).”

A recent article in a communication weekly noted “Rumors have been rampant over recent months regarding Google’s satellite ambitions, which are tied to a desire to increase its information-gathering prowess (think Google Earth and Google Street View) as well as an effort to extend wireless broadband services worldwide and, thus, create a larger market for its other Internet-based products, including search, YouTube and more.” Further, we understand Facebook is also eyeing a similar solution for worldwide social media domination. FierceTech Wireless went on; “I would expect the (Google) constellation to be launched in two phases, with the higher altitude satellites providing complete global coverage, and the lower satellites being added later, in between the initial nine planes, to provide additional capacity. It also seems likely that the system could include inter-satellite crosslinks (within each of the two halves of the constellation) given the near polar orbit that is planned,” he wrote in a blog on his TMF Associates website.” You note, nothing was mentioned about inflight connectivity but watch this space.

We found a very quick synopsis on inflight Wi-Fi installations/pricing – Check it out. And speaking of inflight Wi-Fi, here is a pretty good primer on the subject.

It looks like UAL has selected to use iOS for their content distribution – United Airlines updates iOS app to support exclusive, free in-flight video content

If you plan to go to the APEX EXPO in September (15 – 18) here is your first notice from IFExpress – Registration

Los Angeles, CA | May 28, 2014– IFE Services, a subsidiary of Global Eagle Entertainment (NASDAQ:ENT), announced today that it has developed Iberia’s new inflight entertainment (IFE) content app.

Called ‘IberiaOnBoard’, the freely downloadable app allows travellers to check out all of the IFE content available to them on their upcoming Iberia flights. Every movie and TV show is listed by genre and has a trailer with accompanying useful information including synopsis, cast, director, rating, duration and language availability. Music album information lists tracks and their times. A special Kids’ section showcases all of the specially selected children’s content on offer inflight.

Mobile app development is just one of many new products Global Eagle Entertainment has introduced to the airline industry recently as the world’s leading inflight entertainment content and connectivity provider continues its focus to innovate on behalf of clients.

A spokesperson for Iberia said: “The IberiaOnBoard app makes our inflight entertainment line up accessible to anyone with a mobile device before they board, enabling them to better plan their inflight experience in advance. We’re delighted by the app IFE Services developed in conjunction with our team and we look forward to bringing more innovative solutions to market as we continue to offer the best possible inflight experience to our customers.”

“Iberia has long been at the forefront of identifying and creating opportunities to deliver a better passenger experience,” said Andy McEwan, SVP Content for Global Eagle Entertainment. “The IberiaOnBoard app represents a very productive collaboration with Iberia to deliver inflight entertainment in a new and innovative way for the airline, and underscores IFE Services’, as part of Global Eagle, ability to deliver intelligent and intuitive inflight innovations that build on the increasing demand for inflight connectivity and access to entertainment.”

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | October 23, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, a subsidiary of Global Eagle Entertainment (NASDAQ:ENT), announced today that it is supplying Singapore Airlines with Korean movies.

In addition to providing Singapore Airlines with new releases each month, IFE Services will supply a diverse mix of internationally acclaimed classic, family and art house movies. The movies will be available to customers in all classes through KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award-winning Audio Video On-Demand (AVOD) in-flight entertainment system.

The Korean film industry came of age in the late 1990’s supported strongly by the Korean Film Council. The 1999 movie ‘Shiri, the country’s first blockbuster, was tremendously successful in South Korea proving more popular there than ’Titanic’ and generating more funding and interest in domestically produced films. Although the domestic market is the main consumer of home grown productions, the appeal of Korean movies stretches much further afield to China, Japan and many other countries within the South East Asia region.

This agreement between the two companies strengthens an already strong relationship with IFE Services being a long-term supplier of Japanese movies to Singapore Airlines.

• Transaction solidifies position as In-Flight Media Leader

• Adds to coverage of key emerging markets

Los Angeles, CA | October 21, 2013– Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: ENT) announced today that it has acquired Travel Entertainment Group Equity Limited, the UK-based parent company of IFE Services Limited (IFE Services) from GCP Capital Partners LLP for approximately $36 million in cash. IFE Services is a leading provider of in-flight entertainment services to airlines and cruise lines worldwide. The acquisition expands Global Eagle’s leadership in delivering content and software solutions to the international travel industry.

Global Eagle’s purchase of IFE Services follows closely on the Company’s acquisition of digital content leader Post Modern Group (PMG) in July 2013. With a 20-year history, IFE Services provides a broad range of content solutions, spanning movies, TV programs, games, mobile apps, publications, safety videos and technical support to a worldwide client base of over 50 airline and cruise ship operators. IFE Services has a particularly strong customer presence among quickly-growing airlines in developing markets in Africa, Asia and South America.

“This acquisition is in line with our strategic objective to grow our position as the leading provider of in-flight media, to broaden our client base and to further strengthen the combined service offerings we provide to airlines worldwide,” said John LaValle, Chief Executive Officer of Global Eagle. “The addition of IFE Services will significantly enhance our presence in multiple fast-growing, emerging markets where our combined service offerings are in demand. We look forward to working together with IFE’s CEO Andy McEwan and the talented team at IFE Services in bringing our innovative solutions to the worldwide travel industry.”

“This is another transaction that we expect to be highly complementary to our existing business,” said Dave Davis, Chief Financial Officer of Global Eagle. “In addition to adding IFE Service’s strong cash flows, we believe we can unlock substantial efficiencies from our combined operations to the benefit of our shareholders. At the same time, we continue to be in a solid position to pursue additional acquisitions given our healthy balance sheet, strong management team and growing global footprint.”

For the full year 2013 and on a stand-alone basis, IFE Services is expected to generate approximately $37 million to $40 million of annual revenue* and approximately $7 million to $9 million of Adjusted EBITDA.* In addition, we expect to achieve substantial synergies beginning in first half of 2014 as a result of the combination of IFE Services with Global Eagle.

“Having supported the business and the management team of IFE over the last five years, we are delighted that, in Global Eagle, IFE Services has a supportive new owner that will be able to capitalize on its achievements to date,” said Adam Maidment, Managing Director of GCP Capital Partners LLP. “We would like to thank the CEO, Andy McEwan, and his team for their excellent work over the last few years and we wish them well in this next phase of the business’ development.”

In connection with the consummation of the IFE transaction, Global Eagle agreed to sell to one of its existing institutional stockholders, 2,435,472 shares of Global Eagle’s common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $21,000,000, in a registered direct offering by means of a prospectus supplement to Global Eagle’s effective shelf registration statement which Global Eagle will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In addition, Global Eagle will issue to PAR Investment Partners, L.P., an existing Global Eagle stockholder, a $19,000,000 promissory note which is convertible into shares of Global Eagle’s non-voting common stock. The terms of these sales of securities will be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Global Eagle with the SEC.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | September 24, 2013– Leading passenger entertainment experts, IFE Services, announced today that it is supplying Emirates with Latin American movies.

These high-quality movies are carefully selected from studios across the region, including the developing film industries of Uruguay and Columbia as well as those from the more established Mexican and Brazilian studios. Passengers will have a choice of six titles onboard that will be refreshed regularly. The first cycle of titles will include those shown at International Film Festivals such as ‘El Verano De Los Peces Voladores’ (The Summer Of Flying Fish)’ and ‘ROA’, as well as other critically acclaimed box office successes.

The Latin American film industry is currently enjoying a renaissance with a growing number of local, highly talented filmmakers producing movies for the region’s 600 million filmgoers. The movie production industry continues to thrive in the larger traditional markets of Brazil and Argentina alongside unprecedented growth in emerging markets such as Chile and Venezuela.

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, is a leader in innovation, working closely with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure its customer experience is second-to-none. It is because of this commitment that SkyTrax has recognised Emirates’ ice (information, communication and entertainment) system for nine consecutive years as the World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment. IFE Services will manage the digital encoding of the movies for onboard delivery across Emirates’ audio visual on-demand (AVOD) systems.

In March this year, IFE Services announced that it was supplying African movies to Emirates in languages including Afrikaans, Arabic, English, French, Kikuyu, Swahili and Zulu.

• Miami-based games provider unveiled stunning new games catalogue for current and future IFE systems at APEX EXPO 2013

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | September 17, 2013– IFE Services’ games partner, GUE Tech, unveiled a stunning new catalogue of games at this year’s APEX EXPO.

The Miami-based in-flight games specialist has around 60 new games available for current and future IFE systems. The company is promising to bring a long overdue home gaming experience to the skies that will delight airline passengers of all ages.

For airlines investing in the next generation of Android platform IFE systems, GUE Tech can offer smash hit titles on iPad and Android such as Cut the Rope, Subway Surfer, Ski Safari, Myst and Shadowgun. GUE Tech is the only IFE games vendor to offer multiple Google’s Choice’ titles such as Bard’s Tale and Broken Sword. The company is also offering updated classics such as Slydris, Sudoku Logic, Wordary and Little Things Forever.

For current IFE systems, GUE Tech is releasing even more brilliant titles from the PC and gaming console platforms – iconic titles such as Myst, Riven, Wasteland, Choplifter, Gothic and The Raven.

With these new titles GUE Tech now has an unbeatable catalogue of 220 IFE games for airlines wanting to introduce a top quality gaming package on-board or those wishing to upgrade their existing games package.

As trailblazers in the IFE gaming world, GUE Tech is also currently investigating new game genres such as Interactive Books – an extension of the Interactive Movie genre of games the company already has in its catalogue. Interactive Books are a great solution for educating and entertaining children and teens alike during flights.

In March this year it was announced that Singapore Airlines had signed an agreement with GUE Tech for 15 games as part of its flagship ‘Red Eye Games Collection.’ Then in May, GUE Tech signed a partnership agreement with leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, to bring its games catalogue to a wider market.

“We’re delighted to bring these excellent new games to the IFE industry,” said Max Lingua, Chief Executive Officer of GUE Tech. “These titles finally allow airlines to offer passengers a standard of gaming that they’re used to enjoying on the ground and for the first time in IFE history, real 3D games are now available.”
To see trailers of a selection of the games please visit: www.ifeservices.com/games

For more information about GUE Tech visit: www.guetech.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | September 6, 2013– IFE Services announced today that it will continue to meet the in-flight entertainment (IFE) needs of its long-standing client, South African Airways.

IFE Services will supply Africa’ s largest airline with top movies from Hollywood, Africa, Asia and other regions plus a broad mix of comedy, kids, nature, lifestyle, arts, business and sports TV programmes. The leading content service provider will also provide informational videos, idents and other original production work when required. As well as managing IFE content acquisition and supply, IFE Services will take care of the airline’s digital file management requirements.

South African Airways is the national flag carrier of South Africa. The airline is the largest on the continent with the biggest route network in Africa, flying to more destinations both overseas and within the region. In 2012, South African Airways was voted the best African airline at the Passenger Choice Awards.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be continuing our close working relationship with South African Airways,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We know this highly respected airline very well and remain focused on providing them with great value, innovative entertainment.”

• The Miami-based in-flight games specialists will be demonstrating their catalogue of current and next generation games on the IFE Services booth in Anaheim this month.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | September 4, 2013– IFE Services’ games partner, GUE Tech, will be demonstrating their catalogue of market-leading games at APEX EXPO in Anaheim, California next week.

GUE Tech has spent the past few years acquiring rights from leading games publishers in order to offer airlines an unbeatable catalogue of in-flight games that will revolutionise the passenger experience. Sourced from proven gaming platforms including PlayStation, Wii and Xbox, the Miami-based company now has over 220 games to choose from including legendary titles such as Worms, Alone in the Dark, Kaan, Actua Soccer, Simon the Sorcerer, Fallout and Alien Breed. There is truly something for every passenger with genres including action, sport, interactive movie, role-playing, racing, strategy, arcade, shooter, adventure, educational and puzzle.

GUE Tech’s catalogue also includes 60 Android titles that will run on the next generation of IFE systems. The company is keeping its exciting new Android catalogue under wraps though until APEX EXPO opens its doors on 10th September.

In March this year it was announced that Singapore Airlines had signed an agreement with GUE Tech for 15 games as part of its flagship ‘Red Eye Games Collection.’ Then in May GUE Tech signed a partnership agreement with leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, to bring their catalogue to a wider market.

“We’re determined to raise the quality of in-flight gaming. There is no reason to compromise with poor standard games as both current and new IFE platforms allow passengers to enjoy the same gaming experience in the air that they’re accustomed to at home. Airline passengers deserve to finally have console standard games 30,000 feet up in the sky,” said Max Lingua, Chief Executive Officer, GUE Tech. “Working closely with IFE Services we’re now providing airlines with a brilliant selection of top quality games that will appeal to passengers of all ages and backgrounds. Gamers will finally feel at home up in the air and parents will love the educational games which will keep their kids entertained for hours on those long international flights.”

GUE Tech will be demonstrating its games on the IFE Services’ booth (1031) from 10 – 12th September at APEX EXPO. To arrange a demonstration of the games please contact info@ifeservices.com.

• Leading in-flight entertainment content provider has signed a partnership agreement with Betria Interactive to bring its new FlightPath3D Moving Map and Destination ‘geotainment’ service to the global airline industry.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | September 3, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, has signed a partnership agreement with Betria Interactive to bring its new FlightPath3D Moving Map and Destination ‘geotainment’ service to the global airline industry.

The FlightPath3D solution is a fully integrated in-flight moving mapping service for airline passengers to enjoy in-flight. The service includes a flight preview ‘auto-play’ script broadcast during aircraft boarding, an in-seat interactive 3D map application with detailed satellite imagery and integrated street maps. This next generation product suite is enhanced by a new destination guide information service that updates relevant point-of-interest information periodically for an airline’s destination cities.

In August this year, Betria Interactive announced Norwegian as their launch FlightPath3D customer. Head of Business Development at Norwegian, Boris Bubresko, stated at the time that after evaluating all available in-flight map products on the market, “FlightPath3D delivered by far the most engaging passenger experience.”

“We’re delighted to add FlightPath3D to our innovative and growing product portfolio,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “This very impressive product fits perfectly with our aim of providing world-class IFE solutions to our clients.”

“We’re very excited about our partnership with IFE Services.” stated Boris Veksler, President of Betria Interactive. “With the launch of our flagship product, FlightPath3D, we needed a strategic partner to help us accelerate our market reach. As a platform agnostic service provider, IFE Services’ top priority is delivering the best solutions available on the market and what is ultimately in the best interests of their clients.”

• IFE Services and SmartTray announce strategic partnership for a winning combination in in-flight entertainment.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | August 30, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, announced today a strategic partnership with SmartTray International LLC.

“We’re very pleased and excited to include SmartTray in our portfolio of solutions for our customers,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “SmartTray aligns perfectly with our focus to enhance the delivery of our world class in-flight entertainment.”

“The combined offerings by IFE Services, a very strong global content provider and leading innovator in the world of in-flight entertainment and SmartTray’s revolutionary IFE platforms, make for a winning combination,” said Nick Pajic, Founder & CEO of SmartTray International LLC.

IFE Services works with a broad client-base worldwide topping 50 airlines and cruise ship operators. The company’s headquarters are in Cheshire, UK with regional offices located in Madrid, Singapore, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Oberhausen, Johannesburg and Irvine, California.

Earlier this month, SmartTray X2 was nominated by APEX for the Avion Award for Best Achievement in Technology. The 2013 winner will be announced at the upcoming APEX/IFSA 2013 EXPO on 9th September 2013, in Anaheim, California.

SmartTray proprietary platforms, SmartTray X1, X2 and X3, make using portable electronic devices in-flight easier, help protect fragile devices from falling and breaking in-flight, greatly enhance the traveler experience and make the cabin safer for passengers and in-flight crews.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | August 6, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) company, IFE Services, is Gambia Bird’s new content service provider.

The agreement covers the provision of a regularly refreshed package of modern classic movies and top-rated TV shows as well as a broad selection of different music genres. Passengers can enjoy the great content on the aircraft’s overhead digital IFE systems.

Founded in 2012, Gambia Bird Air Lines is headquartered in Banjul, The Gambia. The company is financially backed by German airline group, Germania. Gambia Bird provides scheduled flights across West Africa including The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone as well as to the UK and Spain.

For more information about Gambia Bird visit: www.gambiabird.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | July 31, 2013– IFE Services announced today that it is Germania’s new passenger entertainment provider.

IFE Services will provide the Berlin-based carrier with a regularly updated package of Hollywood movies, popular TV programmes and great music for the enjoyment of passengers across the airline’s entire fleet. All content will be available in German and English.

Founded in 1979, Germania is one of the best known airlines in Germany. The independent airline’s route network currently comprises more than 50 international destinations. With main airports in Bremen, Dusseldorf, Erfurt/Weimar and Munich, Germania currently operates ten Boeing 737 and eight Airbus A319 aircraft, carrying around one million passengers in 2012.

For more information about Germania visit: www.flygermania.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | July 10, 2013– Leading content service provider, IFE Services, announced today that it is Boliviana de Aviacion’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) supplier.

IFE Services will supply a selection of Hollywood and regional movies in English and Castilian Spanish for the enjoyment of passengers across the airline’s fleet of B767s and B737s. The content package is likely to be expanded in the near future.

Boliviana de Aviacion is the national flag carrier of Bolivia with headquarters in Cochabamba and its main hub at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport. The airline serves a comprehensive domestic network reaching all the principal cities of Bolivia whilst also operating international flights to Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Madrid.

IFE Services is the leading in-flight entertainment provider in Latin America with clients including TAM Airlines, LAN Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas. The company is one of the fastest growing IFE providers in the industry having doubled its client base since 2010 to 44 airlines.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | July 1, 2013– IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) providers, announced today that it was Iberia’s technical consultant for its Panasonic eX2 system.
IFE Services supported the Iberia team on system design, capacity, functionality, applications configuration and customisation for its Panasonic eX2 system with QT GUI.

Business Plus passengers can now enjoy new and intuitive entertainment options using 15.5” screens similar to those seen on tablet computers, plus 4.2” touch screen remotes with a virtual keyboard with which passengers can make telephone calls, send text messages and easily access the available content.

Major enhancements in economy have been introduced too with overhead screens being replaced with a highly advanced in-flight entertainment system for every passenger that includes individual 9” touch screens through which a wide selection of IFE content can be enjoyed. Every seat has a connection port for Apple devices and a USB port, whilst universal power sockets are also available.

The new eX2 system was successfully launched across Iberia’s fleet of A330 aircraft in February this year following a two year collaboration with IFE Services. By mid 2015 a total of 8 new A330s will join the fleet and 17 A340s will be retrofitted with the new IFE system and interiors.

Technical consultancy for this project was led by IFE Services’ Spanish team with support from the company’s technical teams in the USA and UK.

IFE Services has been Iberia’s IFE content service provider for two decades. As well as supplying Spain’s leading airline with movies, TV shows and audio, IFE Services meets all of its original production requirements.

“We selected IFE Services for its expertise of the Panasonic eX2 system,” said Iberia’s Product Design Manager. “We knew they would be flexible enough to manage this project against very tight timescales and they significantly helped us to successfully implement this demanding project in time.”

– Leading in-flight entertainment content service provider has signed an agreement with Miami-based in-flight games specialist to bring high quality PlayStation, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, iOS and Android games to airline passengers.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | June 26, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, has signed an agreement with in-flight games specialist, GUE Tech, that will significantly improve the gaming experience of airline passengers.

Miami-based GUE Tech has developed a growing and exclusive catalogue of 160 high-quality games from the PlayStation, Xbox 360, Wii, PC Android and iOS platforms covering genres including action, sport, interactive movie, role-playing, racing, strategy, arcade, shooter, adventure, educational and puzzle. Very popular iconic games such as Warm Up, Fallout, Worms, Redneck Rampage, Gun Metal and Alone in the Dark, which have sold millions of copies ‘on the ground’, are now available to airlines to license for the first time. The games have been tested on all major embedded IFE systems.

GUE Tech first hit the headlines back in March this year when the company announced that it had licensed 15 games to Singapore Airlines for its ‘Red Eye Games Collection’. IFE Services, which currently provides IFE content to 43 airlines globally, is now working closely with GUE Tech to bring its games to a wider market.

“As an independent and innovative IFE provider we’re constantly monitoring the market for exciting new content suppliers on behalf of our clients,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “When we came across GUE Tech’s catalogue of games we were very impressed. We now have access to the highest quality in-flight games on the market and cannot wait to demonstrate them to airlines all over the world. We know their passengers will love playing these fantastic games.”

“We’re very proud of our in-flight games which we’ve sourced from highly respected publishers such as Atari, Interplay, Team17 and Anuman,” said Max Lingua, CEO of GUE Tech. “Iconic titles like Broken Sword, Syberia and Myst made history in the terrestrial gaming world selling millions of copies. Our games catalogue includes a wide variety of genres so there is truly something for everyone to enjoy in-flight. We’re very excited to be working closely with IFE Services to bring our games catalogue to airlines that wish to offer their passengers a great gaming experience.”

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | June 13, 2013– IFE Services announced today that it is ArkeFly’s new in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

IFE Services is supplying the Dutch leisure airline with a selection of Hollywood and local movies as well as popular TV shows, radio channels and music albums. The content is accessible to passengers via the airline’s seat-back, overhead and portable in-flight entertainment systems across its fleet of B737s and B767s.

IFE Services will also take care of ArkeFly’s digital encoding and AVOD file management requirements. To help promote the IFE offering to passengers in-flight, IFE Services will produce some short promo videos that will play on the IFE screens at regular intervals.

Based in Amsterdam, ArkeFly flies to more than 70 destinations worldwide including popular holiday sites around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, North and South America.

IFE Services is the in-flight entertainment provider to two further TUI Group airlines – TUIfly Nordic and Thomson Airways

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | May 22, 2013– IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) providers, has produced a brand new safety film for its client Iberia.

Iberia commissioned IFE Services to produce a safety film for its fleet of A330 aircraft that would entertain passengers whilst at the same time informing them about important safety information such as the proper use of seatbelts, life jackets and emergency exits.

The result is a modern and fresh 3D animated safety film which features the characters ‘Gustavo’ and ‘Andrea’ – previously seen in the monthly animated cabin crew training videos that IFE Services has been producing for Iberia for some years now. The safety film has been produced with both English and Castilian Spanish voiceovers with subtitles included.

IFE Services has been Iberia’s IFE content service provider for two decades. As well as supplying the leading Spanish airline with movies, TV shows and audio, IFE Services meets all of its original production requirements.

IFE Services is one of the fastest growing IFE providers in the airline industry having doubled its client base since 2011.

To view the safety video visit: www.ifeservices.com/showcase/portfolio/safety-films/

For more information about Iberia visit: www.iberia.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | May 13, 2013– IFE Services announced today that it has been selected by Philippine Airlines as its new in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

The agreement covers the provision of IFE content for all mainscreen, personal TV and audio video on-demand (AVOD) systems installed across the airline’s fleet. The content package includes latest release and classic Hollywood movies, Filipino films, TV shows and audio.

IFE Services is also supplying iPads that passengers in business and economy classes will be offered on trans-Pacific flights. Each iPad includes a regularly updated package of Hollywood, classic and international movies, TV shows, music albums and casual games as well as the airline’s Mabuhay magazine.

“We’re delighted to be working with Philippine Airlines to bring the best possible IFE experience to their customers,” said CEO of IFE Services, Andy McEwan. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with this progressive and innovative airline.”

For more information about Philippine Airlines visit: www.philippineairlines.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsfored, Cheshire, UK | May 2, 2013– IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) providers, is running a competition to win an iPad Mini.

Over the past few years, the iPad has burst onto the in-flight entertainment (IFE) scene as a versatile and popular portable IFE solution for airlines to rent out to passengers or provide on a complimentary basis. The cutting-edge technology of Apple’s best-selling tablet allows passengers to enjoy movies, TV shows and music, read e-magazines and e-newspapers and play the latest generation games – all enhanced by a high resolution screen, excellent sound system and very long battery life..

IFE Services is one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment providers serving over 40 airlines globally with content for their embedded, portable and wireless IFE platforms. The company leads the portable IFE market having signed over 20 agreements in the past 3 years alone. IFE Services is currently in advanced negotiations with several more airlines regarding iPad projects.

To enter IFE Services’ iPad Mini competition, entrants must answer three simple questions by Friday, 31st May 2013. Full details of the competition are available here on the company’s website:

www.ifeservices.com/win-an-ipad-mini/

Hamburg, Germany – Aircraft Interiors Expo | April 9, 2013– Independently owned Airline Services Ltd, which first marked its entry into the IFE market in 2011, is using the occasion of the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg this week to announce two new enhancements in its suite of IFE offerings. Stand No 5C35.

The company is bolstering the media content box of its Aerostream XP1 new generation digital video recorder with the addition of audio video on demand with new products – its FXP 2000 AVOD and FXP 1000 Broadcast Series. The latter gives control to the airlines with the latest preloaded inflight movies. ASL’s AeroStream system features a touch screen cabin control interface for use by cabin crew, designed to deliver broadcast / distributive content across six channels of video and 12 audio channels. ASL is working toward certification of FXP 2000 and FXP 1000 this year.

Encrypted content updates are managed via a secure FTP data transfer interface, which is fully approved by all US Studios and distributors, including Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros, Sony, Universal and Paramount for early window content.

ASL has been encouraged by the industry’s response to its decision to expand its aviation expertise into the IFE arena several years ago. “There are around three big players out there currently dominating the market in AVOD/IFE. What we are offering with our solution, is a focus on the cost-conscious retrofit market, with an affordable and high quality solution to updating outdated technology, without the high capital outlay,” said Bryan Bodek, CEO, ASL . “Our offering addresses the argument for simpler, more cost effective solutions for on-board entertainment with embedded reliability and far less life cycle costs. Once we have obtained certification we can start to ready the system for customer delivery within eight months,” he said.

Airline Services’ expertise in IFE, garnered from their own established team of civil and military trained engineers, came about after clients highlighted the need for more reliability in the fast moving IFE market. In addition to its expertise in design and manufacture, ASL now offers a dedicated IFE repair division for rotables at London Stansted Airport.

Knutsford, Cheshirre, UK | April 3, 2013– IFE Services announced today that it has been selected by LOT Polish Airlines as its new in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

The agreement covers the provision of a broad package of innovative and fresh IFE content across the airline’s entire fleet. Passengers can look forward to latest release and classic Hollywood movies plus international and Polish films which are all available in English, Polish, Russian and German as well as Chinese where available. The IFE offering, which also includes a wide selection of popular TV programmes, music and audio books, will be shown on the airline’s mainscreen and audio video on-demand (AVOD) IFE systems.

Based in Warsaw, LOT Polish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Poland.

“It’s a pleasure to be supplying LOT Polish Airlines with great-value in-flight entertainment,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at LOT to ensure that their passengers can enjoy one of the finest IFE experiences available anywhere in Europe.”

For more information about LOT Polish Airlines visit: www.lot.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | March 25, 2013– IFE Services has been selected by Helvetic Airways as its in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

The leading in-flight entertainment content service provider is supplying a selection of TV programmes to be shown on the Swiss airline’s in-flight overhead mainscreen systems. Passengers will be able to enjoy the shows on flights to Greece, Egypt and the Canary Islands. IFE Services will also produce printed safety cards for the fleet.

Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Helvetic Airways offers scheduled and charter flights to 34 destinations in Europe and North Africa.

IFE Services is one of the fastest growing IFE providers in the airline industry having doubled its client base since 2011. Over the past 12 months alone the company has announced contract wins with airlines of all sizes across all geographies including Emirates, TAM Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Corsairfly, Icelandair, Thomson Airways, JetAsia Airways, NEOS, LAN Airlines and TUIfly Nordic.

For more information about Helvetic Airways visit: www.helvetic.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

– Leading content service provider will supply Emirates with a broad selection of African movies for inclusion in their award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | March 19, 2013– Leading in-flight entertainment provider, IFE Services, announced today that it is supplying Emirates with a broad selection of African movies.

The movies, which include titles from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and other regions of Africa, will play on Emirates’ multi award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ice (information, communications and entertainment). IFE Services will manage all digital encoding requirements for the onboard delivery of the movies. The African movie industry is thriving currently with Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, now the second largest producer of films in the world in terms of the number made. The movie sectors of many other African countries are also in excellent health with an increasing number of high quality productions being made year on year.

IFE Services currently meets the entertainment requirements of over 50 airlines and cruise lines globally with a variety of embedded, portable and wireless systems. The company supplies everything from movies, TV shows, audio and games to apps, safety films, entertainment guides and pre-recorded announcements. The company is the leading IFE content service provider in emerging markets enjoying significant growth in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia over the past 12 months.

“It’s a great privilege to be supplying Emirates with content for their excellent ice system,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We look forward to working closely with their team on this and future projects.”

For more information about Emirates visit: www.emirates.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | March 14, 2013– IFE Services has been appointed as TUIfly Nordic’s new in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

IFE Services and TUIfly Nordic are working closely together to bring the best possible IFE experience to the charter airline’s passengers. The IFE package will include a selection of Hollywood and Scandinavian movies and popular TV shows as well as radio channels and music albums from a wide variety of artists. The entertainment offering, which will be available in English, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish and Danish, will be shown on the embedded seat-back and overhead systems installed onboard the airline’s fleet of B737s and B767s. IFE Services is also managing all of the airline’s digital encoding and audio video on-demand (AVOD) file management requirements.

TUIfly Nordic is a charter airline based in Stockholm, Sweden. It operates holiday charter flights from airports in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden to fly holidaymakers to destinations in the Canary Islands, Egypt, Greece, the Mediterranean and Thailand.

IFE Services is the in-flight entertainment provider to three further TUI Group airlines – Thomson Airways, Corsair and ArkeFly.

For more information about TUIfly Nordic visit: www.tuiflynordic.se

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

– Available every quarter, ‘IFE Insight’ includes useful facts and figures about the IFE industry in an interesting and engaging way.

Knutsford, Cheshire, UK | February 28, 2013– IFE Services launched the first infographic for the in-flight entertainment (IFE) industry today.

Named ‘IFE Insight’, the infographic includes visual representations of useful facts and figures from around the IFE world in an interesting and engaging way. Some of the hot IFE topics covered include ancillary revenues, Wi-Fi connectivity, passenger behaviour, forthcoming entertainment content and the use of different types of personal electronic devices (PEDs) in-flight.

The infographic shows some staggering statistics such as the $22.64b spent by airline passengers on ancillary revenues last year and the $1.5b predicted to be spent on in-flight connectivity services by 2015. The proliferation of personal electronic devices (PEDs) is evident with 82% of airline passengers globally taking a smartphone onboard and 19% an eReader such as a Kindle.

“We continually research the major trends taking place within the IFE industry so that we can provide our airline clients with accurate and relevant information at all times,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We wanted to share some of our findings with the wider IFE community and hope that IFE professionals around the world will find our infographic useful.”

To download the ‘IFE Insight’ infographic visit: www.ifeservices.com/showcase/resources/