In October of this year, the first Lufthansa short- and medium-haul
aircraft will take off with broadband internet on board. Lufthansa’s entire
A320 family fleet is expected to have the innovative technology installed by
mid-2018. One key milestone has already been reached: Lufthansa Technik is the first MRO company in Europe to have received
the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from EASA to install a Ka-band antenna on
the A320 family, i.e. the A319, A320, and A321 models. The STC serves to verify
that the modifications to the aircraft (hardware or software) conform to the
design specifications stipulated by EASA. Said specifications ensure aircraft’s
continued airworthiness.
The first aircraft was equipped
with the technology in June. In the coming weeks, the onboard system will be
tested for functionality and stability. Lufthansa passengers will likely be
able to use the new internet service from October. Other airlines in the Lufthansa
Group will follow at a later date.
The future service from Lufthansa and its technology partner Inmarsat is based on the latest broadband satellite technology (Ka-band) and offers seamless, reliable coverage on short- and medium-haul flights through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress network. Passengers will be
able to access the internet using their own mobile devices via Wi-Fi. In
addition to basic surfing and email, other more sophisticated applications will
be possible, including video streaming. At a later date passengers will be able
to use their cellphones for SMS and data transfer via their own mobile accounts.
With its many years of experience
in the aircraft modification sector, Lufthansa Technik is responsible for
installing all systems and components as well as for the works required to
comply with aeronautical and statutory regulations. In Europe, this was the
first successful installation involving the GX communications network and the Honeywell-designed Ka-band
antenna. To install the system, electrical and structural modifications were
required both inside and outside the aircraft cabin. All modifications were
developed and approved by Lufthansa Technik’s licensed development unit. The
installed components were integrated in the cabin infrastructure in such a way
that they are virtually invisible for passengers and easy to operate by the
cabin crew. The work can be completed in up to four days or during regular
maintenance layovers.
Lufthansa Systems provides the
required IT infrastructure onboard the aircraft. This
includes network operations as well as the innovative FlyNet portal for
passengers.
Lufthansa Systems and Lufthansa Technik have also established a long-term
partnership with global satellite operator Inmarsat in order to offer a modern,
multifunctional onboard IT platform with broadband internet access to the
market. Both the Lufthansa Group as well as airlines around the world will
benefit from this strong partnership through comprehensive services.
Lufthansa carried out the world’s first scheduled flight with broadband internet
access on January 15, 2003. Despite its growing popularity among passengers,
the technically reliable service had to be discontinued in 2006 because the
Connexion by Boeing satellites ceased commercial operations. Since December
2010 Lufthansa has once again been the first airline to provide broadband internet
access on intercontinental flights. Since June 2015 FlyNet has been available
on all 107 long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet. Lufthansa operates the
world’s largest internet-connected long-haul fleet.
