BoardConnect from Lufthansa Systems adds more entertainment to the Condor flight experience

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of Lufthansa Systems’ innovative BoardConnect in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution onboard Condor aircraft. Condor will be the first European airline to offer its passengers a wide range of video and audio on demand as well as other content during a trial period on board a Boeing 767-300.

BoardConnect is the only wireless IFE solution that has been tested during flight operations. The installation on board an aircraft consists of a server with a 3G modem and five access points in the cabin. Passengers can access content using their own laptops, tablet computers, smartphones or any other WiFi-enabled device.

“After having received a Supplemental Type Certificate from both the U.S. FAA and the Australian CASA, European certification was the next important milestone for us,” explains Norbert Müller, Head of Program Management BoardConnect at Lufthansa Systems. “The fact that BoardConnect can now be used in Europe as well sends an important signal to the market that is closely observed by many airlines.”

In addition to containing numerous entertainment features, the BoardConnect solution from Lufthansa Systems enables airlines to offer new forms of customer communication, information and services, for instance in connection with their on-board shops. BoardConnect is unique in that it allows airlines to address passengers individually with the system. The new services thus put Condor in a position to potentially tap additional sources of revenue.

Since BoardConnect is based on standard components and uses wireless transmission technology, it is both highly reliable and cost-efficient to operate. Due to the low number of components, BoardConnect can be installed overnight or during regular maintenance checks. Thanks to the minimal installation effort, the solution is ideal not just for long-haul jets but particularly for smaller aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737, which generally offer very limited IFE options.