Boeing 777-300ER

Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir  will go  into commercial service on new B777-300ER aircraft later this week. Saudia’s passengers on these aircraft can now email, browse the Internet, update social media, text and talk on the phone as they fly between the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, the UK and the U.S.

In this instance, OnAir connectivity uses Thales’ TopConnect solution, which will be line fitted to all remaining deliveries of Saudia’s B777-300ERs. This week’s service entry comes just five months after the deal for the whole 20-strong B777-300ER fleet was first announced. Passengers on Saudia A330 fleet have already been enjoying OnAir connectivity for the past three years. Over this period, 80 percent of passengers who connected to Internet OnAir used a mobile phone or tablet.

Those using Mobile OnAir find it simple because it operates in the same way as international roaming. Interestingly, 31 percent of them use the onboard network for voice calls, nearly three times the average across OnAir’s entire operations while SMS use is around half the OnAir average, at 20 percent.

“We are supporting Saudia as it expands its coverage of strategic routes to Europe and North America. These are important routes for business travelers, who need to remain in contact during the flight,” said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “Uniquely, we offer global coverage and we deliver on our promises. Because we provide platform-agnostic solutions, we always help airlines choose the right technology to suit their specific needs.”

“We need to have the same offering on all our flights, wherever they are, which is why we have included OnAir connectivity on our B777 fleet,” said Mr. Tarik Sindi, VP Marketing & Product Management of Saudia.  “We want to provide our passengers with the best cabin services. We know people want the choice to be able to stay in touch during the flight, so we must help them do so.”

“In addition, Saudia is planning to increase the number of aircraft offering new products for our valued passengers,” continued Mr. Tarik Sindi. “Our new B777-300ER comes with the most elegant entertainment system, with a wide range of new features and more than 800 hours of nonstop entertainment. Also, our new aircraft is equipped with the most comfortable fully flatbed seat in first and business class.”

Saudia has completed its preparations to operate its first flight to Toronto, Canada and flights will soon operate to Los Angeles.

Choose OnAir's Full STC Services From A Catalog

OnAir has revealed full details of its extensive Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) portfolio, which ensures connectivity is rapidly available on a wide range of commercial aircraft types. OnAir can provide connectivity on any aircraft, anywhere in the world, within a few months of an airline placing the order.

OnAir’s STCs cover the retro fit of inflight connectivity systems on Airbus aircraft, including the A320 family types, A330s and A340s, as well as Boeing aircraft including B737s, B767s and B777s. In addition, OnAir is available as line fit on the entire Airbus fleet as well as on Boeing B777s and B787s. It is also a line fit option on selected VIP aircraft, including the Dassault Falcon 7X and Airbus Corporate Jets.

“OnAir is the most experienced inflight connectivity service provider: we have the most airline customers, across the widest geographical reach. We have also been operating both GSM and Wi-Fi for longer than anyone else,” said Véronique Blanc, Chief Technical Officer of OnAir. “We have built an extensive STC catalogue, to complement the wide range of line fit installation options, and support our airline customers to enable OnAir services on mixed fleets.”

The STCs have been awarded by the major certification authorities across the world, including the FAA in the US, EASA in Europe, the Singapore CAA, and Japan’s CAB. Importantly, existing STCs can be reused for new airline orders, or OnAir can adapt the STC to meet airlines’ specific technical, cosmetic and/or maintenance requirements.

The STCs provide for the installation and activation of connectivity solutions that enable Mobile OnAir, Internet OnAir and/or OnAir Play. In line with OnAir's platform-agnostic approach, airlines have the choice between TriaGnoSys’ GSMConneX solution, the small, lightweight airborne connectivity system, as well as Airbus and Thales systems, depending on their requirements.

Mobile OnAir provides a GSM network in the aircraft cabin. It is OnAir’s most popular connectivity product, which works in the same way as international roaming. Passengers simply turn on their phones and start using them in the same way as normal, for email, SMS and calls.

Internet OnAir is the onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, giving passengers access to the Internet, using their phones, tablets and laptops.

“OnAir Play is our brand new product. It combines inflight connectivity with films, TV, live news, music, games, magazines and newspapers. It marks the start of a new era in how we spend our time during the flight,” continued Blanc. “On the ground the way we watch TV and films or listen to music has changed to an on-demand mentality. We can even provide passengers with regularly refreshed, time-sensitive content, such as news and sport.”

For more information on our STC portfolio and a live demo of OnAir Play, visit us at our booth 1041 at the APEX Expo in Anaheim CA, September 9-12, 2013.