While airlines are starting to see themselves as digital companies rather than just transportation companies, the need to change is creating interfaces between large aviation organisations and the growing global travel tech scene.
Bluebox Aviation Systems is one of an emerging group of specialists providing alternative in-flight entertainment (IFE) options for airlines using the latest technology to offer tablet-based and wireless IFE solutions (fitted and portable) as cost-effective alternatives to the traditional seatback IFE systems.
The company is one of many so-called disruptors to the industry and the CEO of the Dunfermline, Scotland-based business, Kevin Clark, explained at CAPA World Aviation Outlook Summit in Berlin late last year that rather than hiding in the shadows these new entrants are "hiding in plain sight", especially when it comes to digital innovation and the passenger experience.
The final quarter of last year saw some significant milestones for the UK business. Kuwait carrier Jazeera Airways became the first commercial airline to deploy the Bluebox Wow wireless entertainment service in Middle East, while Air Astana started using the service on its new Embraer E190-E2 fleet (and from Feb-2019 will also deploy it in the business class cabins of its A320s).
After a successful trial in late 2018, South Korea's Jeju Air is now set to deploy Bluebox Wow portable wireless IFE across its fleet of Boeing 737-800s. The new IFE service is currently offered free to passengers on board 10 aircraft, with the total deployment increasing to 39 aircraft in Apr-2019.
LEARN MORE in our exclusive CAPA TV interview with Bluebox Aviation CEO, Kevin Clark, filmed on the sidelines of the CAPA World Aviation Outlook Summit in Berlin in late Nov-2018, where he highlights how new platforms can be exploited to offer service enhancements, service recovery, accessibility services (for passengers with hearing and visual impairments) and ancillary revenue generation.