Discover Airlines becomes the first airline to utilize AERQ’s AERENA Inseat System, offering passengers a personalized and interactive entertainment experience on medium-haul flights.
Discover Airlines, a member of the Lufthansa Group, is ushering in a new era of in-flight entertainment with the implementation of AERQ’s AERENA Inseat System. This marks a significant milestone for both companies, with Discover Airlines becoming the first airline to integrate AERENA into its A320 aircraft (tailsign D-AIUQ) specifically designed for medium-haul flights. This innovative system will take flight starting with the airline’s 2024 summer schedule on March 29th.
AERQ’s AERENA system boasts an open IT platform backed by a robust cloud-based infrastructure. This translates to enhanced digital experiences throughout the passenger journey, fostering greater engagement onboard. Passengers can seamlessly interact with the system using their personal electronic devices (PEDs), creating a truly seat-centric entertainment environment. This innovative approach elevates the passenger experience to new heights.
Arnd Kikker, Co-Managing Director, AERQ said, “We are very excited that AERENA now takes off and an airline as well as passengers get to experience what our platform has to offer. This is an important milestone for us and our parent companies.”
By incorporating an inseat system specifically designed for narrow-body, medium-haul aircrafts, Discover Airlines is providing its passengers with a unique and personalized travel experience. During these flights, various functionalities of the AERENA system will be thoroughly tested to unlock its full potential. Passengers can expect to benefit from a range of digital offerings, including:
- Access to personalized offers and information
- Up-to-date onboard catering menus
- A variety of applications, such as booking tours at their destination
This approach empowers passengers to make the most of their travel time, maximizing both entertainment and efficiency.
Son Yob (Louis) Pak, Co-Managing Director, AERQ said, “Agility and speed in content updates, customisation of the onboard product for a personalised passenger encounter and opportunities for new ancillary revenues through gaming or destination content are the advantages that will be derived from the implementation of AERENA.”
One of the key strengths of AERENA is its agility. Discover Airlines will have the ability to rapidly update all content, including AVoD (Audio/Video on Demand) options, the user interface, and any application. This allows for a constantly evolving entertainment experience that keeps passengers engaged.
Maximilian Meintgens, Director Product & Marketing at Discover Airlines, said, “We are proud to be the first airline to trial this special entertainment system and to work together with AERQ on the next generation of inflight entertainment. Our goal is to test the system in everyday life and understand how to further improve and personalise the travel experience through feedback and usage behavior from our guests. The insights we gather during the test phase will make an important contribution to the further development of the inflight entertainment experience for the entire Lufthansa Group.”
Additionally, the system allows Discover Airlines to customize its onboard digital product, setting it apart from competitors. Through data capturing, analytics, and matching, the airline can gain valuable insights into passenger preferences, enabling them to tailor entertainment options to meet specific passenger demands.
Xavier Lagardère, VP Innovation for Lufthansa Group and Managing Director of the Lufthansa Innovation Hub said, “Accelerating innovation enables us to continuously improve our customer experience, and this collaborative effort is a great example of that. We are excited and proud to see our investments in cutting edge inflight entertainment, together with our partners AERQ and Discover Airlines, installed in our first aircraft.”
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The successful implementation of the AERENA system represents a significant milestone for AERQ. It’s further bolstered by the issuance of an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) by the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), which ensures the system meets all safety regulations. This project is also supported by the Lufthansa Group Innovation Runway, a collaborative platform that fosters innovation within the Lufthansa Group and with external partners like AERQ. The Innovation Runway serves as a catalyst for bringing together ideas and implementers, facilitating experimentation, and providing funding for groundbreaking projects like this.
Question- What is the significance of the AERENA system implementation?Answer– The AERENA system marks a major step forward in digital cabin innovation for airlines.
Question- How does the EASA certification impact the AERENA system?
Answer– The EASA STC ensures the AERENA system complies with all safety regulations.
Question- What role did the Lufthansa Group Innovation Runway play in the AERENA project?
Answer- The Innovation Runway facilitated collaboration, experimentation, and funding for the AERENA system.
