With In-flight Entertainment (IFE) at the forefront of the aviation commercial industry, the IFE Zone at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2015 has increased in size by some 25% and echoes rising passenger demand for the same quality and variety of entertainment in the air as is currently available on the ground. Confirmation of this growing demand was illustrated by a recent survey conducted by Honeywell, which reported that the availability of in-flight wi-fi directly influenced flight selection for 66% of passengers. Aircraft Interiors Expo will take place at the Hamburg Messe from 14 -16 April.
Senior event director, Katie Murphy, said: “The entire supply chain will be represented from around the world in this year’s IFE Zone, with 13 new companies joining the already 134 in the zone, which will showcase the latest and most innovative IFE technologies on the market today to meet burgeoning passenger needs. 67% of visitors at last year’s event confirmed their interest in IFE-related products so there is no doubt that the IFE Zone will again be a significant presence at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2015.”
Gogo will be showcasing its latest connectivity technology – 2Ku – which recently received regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission to operate this next-generation technology. Steve Nolan, director of communications at Gogo said: “Product showcases will include Gogo Vision, Gogo Text & Talk and the Gogo Platform. We will also have lots of information on the connected fleet and what we are doing to use connectivity to get beyond passenger internet access and connect the plane and crew.”
Maintaining the connected theme, TE Connectivity, a supplier of passive electronic components, will focus on the high bandwidth expansion demands for the IFE and In-Flight Networks. Earle Olson, manager of business development at the company said: “Airline passengers continue to require the ability to connect their mobile phones, laptop computers and tablets to the Internet during flights. Meeting this demand requires integrated solutions that focus on increased bandwidth, faster download speeds and miniaturisation of electronics to save space and weight.”
The company’s showcase will feature solutions such as antennas for wireless applications and high-speed copper and fiber optics that tackle bandwidth and download speeds. Each of the integrated solutions on display boosts the performance of any cabin with flexible IFE, web access, and high-speed networking.
One of the 13 new companies will be PXCom, a developer of interactive media for IFE suppliers, which will be presenting its latest enriched content at the expo and will use the event to unveil a fully customizable destination guide for premium classes and private jets. The guide features recommendations for prestigious locations and has a built-in partnership with world-class luxury editors.
The international reach in the IFE Zone will also include Sinters America which, in collaboration with Rockwell Collins, will showcase its Paves On-demand Seat Electronics Tester which provides overhead broadcast video and in-seat audio and video. Travelers can enjoy high-definition entertainment while the system’s compact footprint, light weight and maintenance features help minimize cost of ownership.
