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| GX for Aviation antenna installed on aircraft. Photo: Inmarsat |
[Avionics Magazine 12-22-2016] Eurowings is the first Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) to select Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) for Aviation in-flight broadband connectivity solution. Eurowings is the latest airline from the Lufthansa Group to select the solution.
GX for Aviation will initially be equipped on 69 Airbus A320 family aircraft from the Eurowings fleet, with the option to add additional aircraft. Lufthansa Technik has already completed the first installations and testing is scheduled to commence in the New Year. Inmarsat expects to fit out all aircraft covered in this agreement by the middle of 2017.
The service allows passengers to browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more, with connectivity on par with broadband on the ground, according to a statement released by the company. In addition, Eurowings will integrate Inmarsat’s GX for Aviation service with the existing In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system based on Lufthansa Systems’ BoardConnect platform.
The contract is part of a 10-year strategic agreement between Inmarsat and the Lufthansa Group, which included the selection of GX for Aviation for Lufthansa’s European continental fleet of more than 180 aircraft. Inmarsat will also deploy the service on more than 30 Austrian Airlines’ aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, with installation and testing currently underway. Inmarsat partner Deutsche Telekom will be the Internet Service Provider for Eurowings passengers.