easyJet is taking a big step in the in-flight entertainment market. After a successful trial period, the low-cost carrier is rolling out its new digital entertainment solution, AirFi, across almost half of its fleet.

Good to go

Initially announced in October, easyJet sought to trial the system on all 27 jets based in Basel (BSL) and Geneva (GVA). AirFi’s “revolutionary” portable streaming solution allows passengers to access games and journey-specific content on phones, tablets, or laptops via the system’s local WiFi network, free of charge.

easyJet’s trial primarily focused on customer satisfaction and AirFi’s general reliability; however, the carrier also noticed a sharp decline in paper waste through the digitization of its in-flight menus and magazines, adding a sustainable edge to the technology. The subsequent success of the system will see AirFi deployed on a further 108 aircraft based in continental Europe.

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“We saw with the trial program in October that AirFi has got the right stuff to support us as we introduce digital solutions for the convenience and benefit of our customers,” noted Simon Cox, easyJet’s Director of Inflight Retail.

“AirFi has been able to meet our ambitious timelines for this project and have integrated well with our existing partners.”

135 easyJet Airbus A320s will now be equipped with the digital platform, though a full roll-out could be possible. AirFi’s unique system does not require aircraft to be taken out of service during the upgrade, streamlining its introduction to service.

The company has been a success with other airline and travel operators, becoming a market leader for in-flight entertainment. Multiple major carriers, including Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines, and Scoot, offer a range of AirFi’s various in-flight solutions, from enhancing the customer experience to bolstering onboard retail services.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to expand our work with easyJet and to help deliver engaging digital experiences to passengers all around Europe,” added AirFi CEO Job Heimerikx.

“Having blazed the trail for portable IFE with the launch of our first system in 2014, AirFi remains the leader in this market. We’re always challenging ourselves and we never stop innovating to deliver value to airlines and passengers around the world.”

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Improving customer experience

The launch of AirFi has come just in time for easyJet, which is already looking to expand its passenger figures through 2023. Despite a slow start to the year, in line with the rest of the European aviation industry, easyJet bounced back hard through its fourth quarter, reporting a record £674 million ($811 million) in pre-tax earnings between July and September.

Around 250,000 flights are planned through summer 2023, upping the airline’s capacity further. Specific growth appears to be concentrated on smaller airports in the United Kingdom, of which nine new routes are set to be added to the low-cost carrier’s network from March.

An emphasis on customer experience will likely help the easyJet as it competes with other low-cost airlines, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI, across various Mediterranean-bound services and rebuilds capacity across several pre-pandemic key markets.

Have you had a chance to use AirFi yet? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.

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  easyJet

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  U2/EZY (UK) | EC/EJU (Europe) | DS/EZS (Switzerland)

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Geneva Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Luton Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport

  Year Founded:

  1995

  CEO:

  Johan Lundgren