This is changing with Iridium’s introduction of the Certus 100 mid-band service in aviation. With IP data speeds of up to 88 Kbps, Certus 100 supports social messaging, real-time credit card transactions, and other operational benefits. Consequently, some wireless IFE and e-commerce specialists are augmenting their systems with this Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satcom service.
During the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Runway Girl Network journalists interviewed two providers—AirFi and Bluebox Aviation Systems—to understand their market approaches. Both confirm that reducing inflight fraud is a primary driver for adoption.
AirFi LEO
Since introducing its first portable streaming solution to air and rail sectors in 2014, AirFi now offers AirFi LEO in aviation. This IP-based solution is supported by two antennas mounted inside aircraft windows.
AirFi is seeing “serious momentum” for AirFi LEO, said company founding partner and CEO Job Heimerikx. The boxes were contracted in Q1 by various carriers for installation on 50 aircraft. “And the beauty is that it’s across the world. It’s with all kinds of aircraft types… So it’s a very nice picture,” Heimerikx noted.
Using two window-mounted antennas creates a redundant system compared to one receiver on top of the aircraft while maintaining reception performance. Heimerikx emphasized that using window-mounted antennas avoids the costs associated with drilling holes in the fuselage for patch antennas—a significant consideration for low-cost carriers and smaller airlines that lease aircraft.
When AirFi introduced its ‘Mall in the Sky’ offering post-COVID-19—enabling gate-to-gate inflight shopping and onboard advertising—it saw significant uptake in-seat ordering. Adding Iridium Certus 100-powered real-time credit card authentication addresses inflight fraud.
“The number one reason why carriers are choosing AirFi LEO is to eradicate onboard fraud,” confided Heimerikx.
He added: “It’s like a pest in the industry where fraudulent payments or transactions can range from 2% to up to 10%. If we can bring that simple check of payment to the ground and back, we can eliminate fraud entirely.”
As an added benefit, LEO augmentation enables airlines to offer free social messaging for passengers. “We’re working on different messaging systems because every region has a different preference,” said Heimerikx. Popular choices include WhatsApp and X (formerly known as Twitter). Crew can also use messaging services for operational improvements.
Bluebox Wow plus FFLYA
Live credit card payment transactions drive Bluebox’s decision to integrate its Blueview platform—the digital services software running atop its Bluebox Wow portable units—with what it describes as a “low-cost, low-weight connectivity solution” from FFLYA powered by Iridium Certus 100.
Calling the service a “big game changer,” Bluebox CEO Ken Clark noted at AIX 2024: “[I]t means if you’re an airline selling food and beverages on the plane...transactions will typically be limited...because that’s the maximum risk of fraud...If you could do that in real time...airlines could increase [limits] allowing sales beyond just cigarettes.”
Successful ground testing saw purchases sent wirelessly from a tablet to the Bluebox Wow portable unit connected through an STD’d patch antenna atop the aircraft to Iridium Certus satellites enabling real-time payment validation. An STC for this antenna install is available for Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Close observers might find this implementation surprising since FFLYA was billed as an inflight Bluetooth free messaging platform using window antennas during Wizz Air trials. However, Bluebox’s adoption involves wireless IP-based rather than Bluetooth technology confirmed Catherine Brown, head of marketing at Bluebox.
An Iridium spokeswoman confirmed: “The system FFLYA uses is certified by Iridium.”
Ron Chapman of ASI Group explained why patch antennas are used: “Ops services are geared for IP so must be live...guaranteeing 100% coverage.”
However, Heimerikx disputes this necessity: “[S]ending a 50Kb message over AirFi-LEO/Iridium Certus network isn’t hard at all.”
Low-cost carriers appear poised to tackle onboard fraud significantly benefiting both airlines and passengers who may otherwise bear higher costs due to scammers' actions.
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