by TMR

AIRASIA Group Bhd is upgrading its award-winning AirAsia WiFi service, powered by Rokki, to provide high-speed in-flight connectivity to guests.

Six aircraft operated by AirAsia Malaysia (carrier code AK) and two aircraft operated by AirAsia Thailand (carrier code FD) have been equipped with Inmarsat plc’s high-speed Ka-band platform, GX Aviation, which will be rolled out to the rest of the fleet over the next year.

Ka-band offers an enhanced in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) experience beyond basic broadband, supporting real-time video, music streaming and more. To celebrate, AirAsia has been offering guests travelling on GX Aviation-equipped aircraft a free 10MB trial of the new service throughout this month.

AirAsia Group president (RedBeat Ventures) Aireen Omar said: “As the pioneer of low-cost carrier in-flight WiFi in the region, we are always looking for ways to redefine the digital in-flight experience for our guests.

“Ka-band, powered by Rokki, is the next logical step in this process, which will allow our guests to stay connected throughout their journey and perform data-intensive activities, including live streaming.

“This also enables better real-time analytics, allowing us to serve more personalised services to AirAsia’s 100 million guests annually.”

Inmarsat Aviation president Philip Balaam said AirAsia’s launch of GX Aviation services is a significant milestone, as it brings to life the airline’s bold and innovative new digital offering for passengers.

“We are confident that their upgrade from basic connectivity to the industry’s gold standard in-flight broadband will be warmly embraced by passengers.

“Our teams continue to work closely together to instal GX Aviation on the rest of AirAsia’s fleet of Airbus SE’s A320 and A330 aircraft, making it available to millions of new passengers each month.”

GX Aviation is the world’s first in-flight broadband solution with reliable, seamless high-speed global coverage provided through a single operator.

AirAsia WiFi is an IFEC platform that offers guests free entertainment, music, games, news and shopping. Passengers can connect for free via their personal mobile device on any AirAsia WiFi-enabled aircraft to experience the future of in-flight WiFi.

AirAsia’s WiFi plans include 10MB (best for chat apps) for RM9 or 900 Big Points; 20MB (best for social media) for RM18 or 1,800 Big Points; 50MB (best for email and browsing) for RM38 or 3,800 Big Points; 100MB (best for light streaming) for RM48 or 4,800 Big Points; and 200MB (best for streaming) for RM58 or 5,800 Big Points.