April 2, 2016 –, 2016: Dutch supplier of portable IFE streaming systems, AirFi, will launch a new generation of hardware at Aircraft Interiors International in Hamburg.
Like the incumbent Moon AirFi Box (re-branded from AirFi Box), the new Venus box enables airlines to stream a variety of content to passengers’ own mobile devices inflight. This content can include newspapers and magazines in multiple languages, HTML 5 games, onboard chat, crew interface functions, video, payment portals and more.
The new hardware solution also offers a series of improvements over its predecessor. “The Venus AirFi Box is robust and attractive. New materials and manufacturing techniques enable custom colors (the Moon box is grey) with a tight, durable, and modern design to help it handle the tough job of being a completely portable piece of cabin equipment,” stated Job Heimerikx, CEO at AirFi.
Below: The Venus model also improves on Moon by offering an integrated moving map feature and automated aircraft positioning display.
“Our latest technology can stream full HD video to as many as 22 passengers at the same time, or more passengers at lower resolutions. We’ve also added an ergonomic hand-grip, which will be appreciated by flight crew, catering providers, or whoever moves them around,” Heimerikx adds.
Both the Moon AirFi Box and Venus AirFi Box use a Lithium Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack, which AirFi claims can last for up to 15 hours and re-charge in as little as four. LiFePO4 cells have a constant discharge voltage and AirFi states they are considered far more stable than Lithium Ion chemistries.
Both boxes employ HTML 5 technology, which means passengers don’t need to download an app for quick and easy access onboard streaming services. Airlines already using the AirFi Moon Box, or those with Moon on order, can upgrade to Venus for an incremental hardware cost and, without disrupting their onboard digital services.
