Dasnair's Falcon 7X passengers will be able to use their mobile phones and laptops during flights, thanks to OnAir's inflight connectivity services. Dasnair will be the world's first Falcon 7X operator to provide the most complete connectivity suite of services installed on a large cabin long range business jet.
Terms of the agreement are currently being finalized and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The service is planned to be launched towards the end of 2011 and the first connected flight has already been booked.
OnAir's SwiftBroadband-based service Mobile OnAir allows passengers to use their own mobile phones and smartphones during flights, just as they do on the ground, for calls, text messages, email and mobile data. Usage is billed by the passenger's mobile operator, in the same way international, which makes it very simple to use.
Passengers can also use inflight Internet using laptops, tablets or any WiFi-enabled device. It works in the same way as any hotspot in the ground.
"Our Falcon 7X fleet is at the forefront of innovation and the level and quality of the services we offer to our passengers are at the core of our strategy. With OnAir, Dasnair is proud to set the highest standards by being the first business jet operator worldwide to offer our passengers the ability to remain in touch while they fly", said Gérard Limat, CEO of Dasnair.
The OnAir solution is the lightest, the most versatile offering the most advanced communication capabilities ever deployed on a large cabin-long range business jet and has been specifically designed with this market in mind.
The airborne system, designed and produced by satellite communications specialist TriaGnoSys, weighs only 15kg and consists of just two hardware units. It is fully compatible with any SwiftBroadband-capable Satcom system, for example Honeywell and Thrane & Thrane. Simple installation is part of the design process, and the equipment can be installed in the aircraft during a standard maintenance check.
"We are all becoming increasingly dependent on our mobile devices and, unsurprisingly, people like to continue using their phones and tablets when they are flying. Dasnair passengers will be able to use both GSM and inflight Internet, giving them the flexibility to be connected in the best way to suit their needs", said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir.
"Dasnair's selection of OnAir clearly demonstrates the flexibility of our inflight connectivity solution - it shows OnAir can meet passengers' demands for inflight communication across a number of market segments," continued Dawkins.