Airbus has delivered its first aircraft, the A321LR to Titan Airways, equipped with an in-flight entertainment system based on a wireless communication architecture.
The system includes an integrated server and router, a Wi-Fi access point and a software platform.
Airbus says the open software architecture gives airlines the flexibility to source content from various wireless in-flight entertainment partners.
Titan Airways derives its content from Bluebox Aviation Systems.
Bluebox said deliveries of the A321LR (G-XATW) took place on October 26. Airbus indicates that this expedition went through the air lease of the American lessor.
Titan is one of five launch customers for the system, a mix of lessors and airlines using line and modernization versions. Airbus anticipates that the system will be applied to both single-aisle and two-aisle aircraft.
Airbus said the ability to avoid installation issues associated with preloaded hardware and custom content allows operators to "simplify" the process of transferring aircraft between operators or lessors.
Bluebox says it is the first wireless in-flight entertainment partner selected by airline customers for the program.
An online facility like Titan's, he said, involves the integration of an in-flight entertainment portal after the transfer of ownership of the aircraft from Airbus to the customer is complete.
Titan's first customer for the first A321LR was US tour operator TCS World Travel which Bluebox said requested additional in-flight entertainment features to support its tour program.
“This includes the addition of a comprehensive destination-focused module that connects to real-time flight route information,” he added.
The final system test and the 2 hour test flight took place at London Stansted, Titan's base, at the end of October. This test involved 150 tablets installed on the twinjet to test performance, streaming content, mobile maps, connectivity and other aspects.
"Enabling recent links to passenger devices - for entertainment, retail and other in-flight engagement applications - from the point of aircraft delivery will be the new standard, and we've proven that we can. do, "said James Macrae, CTO of Bluebox.
Titan plans to introduce the second A321LR to its fleet in the spring of next year.
Andrew Taggart, electronic flight bag manager and A320 performance engineer, said Bluebox “delivers impressive results” given the complex tasks involved.
Airbus manufactures equipment for the system through its subsidiary KID-Systeme. Several other in-flight entertainment content partners subscribe to open software platforms, including Inflight Dublin, Collins Aviation and Display Interactive.
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