Philippine Airlines Launches First GSMConneX Flights

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the first airline to launch commercial flights featuring the TriaGnoSys in-flight GSMConneX connectivity hardware. 

 

The first PAL aircraft to be retrofitted with GSMConneX is a Boeing 777-300ER.  According to TriaGnoSys, GSMConneX will allow passengers to perform onboard cell phone calls with a global system for mobile communications (GSM) satellite connection, along with the choice to use the system’s Wi-Fi connection. The system features two small units installed on the aircraft, along with wireless access points and a cabin control screen. 

 

OnAir, PAL’s GSM and Wi-Fi service provider, worked with TriaGnoSys to install the first GSMConnex system for the airline. Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir, said the ability for PAL to offer both a GSM and Wi-Fi connection is "very important" because "passengers want to be able to choose how they communicate during the flight, just as they do on the ground."