Kuwait Airways (KUW) is forging ahead with its commitment to bringing next-generation high-speed inflight broadband connectivity to passengers, by extending its partnership with trusted connected service expert SITAONAIR.

product sitaonair internet onair — Credit SITAONAIR

Kuwait Airways to activate next-gen inflight connectivity services on new Airbus fleet

SITAONAIR is to deploy its award-winning Internet ONAIR portal and Mobile ONAIR services – powered by Link ONAIR, over Inmarsat’s high-speed GX Aviation network, across the airline’s new A320 and A321 Neo aircraft fleet.

With service activation on commercial flights planned for early 2019, Kuwait Airways will be the Middle East’s first airline to offer inflight connectivity services over GX Aviation in a single aisle aircraft fleet.

Kuwait’s national airline is the latest big name enlisting SITAONAIR’s end-to-end inflight connectivity innovations. It marks the evolution of SITAONAIR and Kuwait Airways’ long-running partnership to deliver SwiftBroadband to its A330 and A320 fleets.

It is also testament to SITAONAIR’s expertise as the only Value-Added Reseller of GX Aviation’s high-speed broadband network offering both Wi-Fi and mobile services.

Internet ONAIR, SITAONAIR’s award-winning inflight connectivity portal, enables passengers to seamlessly maintain their digital lives as they fly – to stream, surf, message, consume digital content, shop, and stay connected with loved ones.

Further passenger benefits of the latest version Internet ONAIR include:

An augmented ‘look and feel’ for mobile users, with over 90% of all Wi-Fi sessions used on mobile devices
A new, ergonomic website design, with improved navigation and user interface
Faster speeds for registering, validating credit cards and starting Wi-Fi sessions
A powerful in-built ad server tool that harmonizes various advertising formats without spoiling the passenger experience

Internet ONAIR can also be expertly integrated within airlines’ existing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, linking the service to a vast source of passenger profile data. This enables airlines to promote tailored Internet ONAIR price plans for specific passengers, depending on where they’re seated, or offers online content, based on passenger budget, search histories, or shopping preferences.

With Mobile ONAIR, meanwhile, passengers will be able to enjoy an ‘at-home’ mobile connectivity experience. Mobile ONAIR’s seamless, secure and reliable inflight mobile connection is a key contributor to why 43% of frequent fliers prefer cellular connectivity, and more than 20 million passengers accessed Mobile ONAIR for voice, SMS and data transmissions in 2017.

Kuwait Airways’ high-speed connectivity-activated A320/A321 Neo fleet will operate routes throughout the Middle East, India, Europe and Africa.

Stephan Egli, SITAONAIR Commercial VP of the Middle East, Africa and Europe (CREDIT: SITAONAIR)

Dr. Maria-Angelika Hanne, Chief Commercial Officer, Kuwait Airways, says: “Being able to adopt the latest inflight technologies and high-speed capabilities is integral to the quality inflight experience our airline offers. We are proud to be expanding our long-standing relationship with SITAONAIR to activate high-speed inflight connectivity with Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR over GX Aviation.”

Stephan Egli, SITAONAIR Regional Vice President of the Middle East, Africa and Europe, says: “This is a fantastic moment for SITAONAIR, as we deliver our rich, value-added inflight connectivity services, and the promise of the connected aircraft experience, to our valued customer, Kuwait Airways. With our leading Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR solutions, harnessing the power of GX Aviation, passengers will have access to the latest connectivity technologies, so their digital lives continue uninterrupted in the air, just as on the ground.”