Panasonic Avionics, a supplier of in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) technologies, has developed the Wi-Fi Portal, a Cloud-native platform designed to give airlines autonomy over their in-flight connectivity experience. The portal is an agnostic technology that can be implemented on mixed aircraft fleets that use multiple in-flight connectivity service providers.
According to Panasonic, airlines will have full autonomy to customise their portal design without having to make a formal change request or ATP. Airline customers can use self-service tools to customise their connectivity offerings with their brand identity, onboard strategy, and overall commercial objectives.
For example, an airline can update content, packages, pricing, and passenger entitlements, such as free or discounted wi-fi access based on frequent flyer status or cabin class.
The Wi-Fi Portal is also designed to ease the process for passengers purchasing wi-fi sessions during flights. The system takes advantage of Panasonic Avionics’ partnerships with global mobile network operators and lets passengers access their wi-fi roaming plans directly from the airline portal at any time. The portal also has an intuitive interface that makes it easier for passengers to purchase connectivity services.
In addition, by integrating with Panasonic Avionics’ OneMedia platform, airlines have monetisation opportunities through the portal, such as banner advertising and video sponsorship placements.
According to Panasonic Avionics the portal also has a range of features that can give airline customers control of their portal across diverse aircraft fleet types and business models, including a Cloud-native SaaS infrastructure for enhanced performance, a self-service Content Management System (CMS) for portal customisation, a connectivity provider-agnostic solution compatible with mixed fleets, and robust APIs for seamless web, app, and third-party portal integrations.
“After listening to our customers’ feedback and combining it with our deep understanding of the IFEC market, we created a unique tool that gives airlines full control over their in-flight connectivity offering and reflects the growth of our software design capabilities,” said John Wade, vice president of connectivity services at Panasonic Avionics.
“We recognise how crucial it is for airlines to manage the in-flight experience, showcase their brand, implement unique pricing strategies, and have the flexibility to adjust as required. Our Wi-Fi Portal will provide this for airlines, enabling them to further enhance the passenger experience.”
