TMCnews Featured Article

American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, has become the first North American airline to test the new inflight streaming video product from Aircell which will offer the airline’s customers a brand-new, innovative inflight entertainment option. The testing for new inflght video system has begun on two Boeing (News - Alert) 767-200 aircraft in transcontinental service.

With the new video system, passengers in the flight will be able to wirelessly stream movies and TV shows from an inflight library to their personal Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

“Once again, American leads the industry in providing innovative options to keep customers connected, productive and entertained. American was the first North American airline to launch inflight Wi-Fi, and today we again set a new industry standard as the first domestic airline to test inflight streaming video content,” said Rob Friedman, American’s vice president of marketing, in a statement. “We know our customers want to be connected on the ground and in the sky, so we are working hard to stay on the leading edge of connectivity through technology enhancements like this.”

In addition, American will work with Aircell to further enhance onboard connectivity by expanding inflight Wi-Fi to its narrow body fleet. Both the companies will work toward ensuring expanded Wi-Fi connectivity on 93 of American’s domestic 757s used for routes within the continental United States, and up to 50 additional MD80 aircraft. The Wi-Fi expansion will include. Installation will begin this summer and continue through 2012.

“By expanding Wi-Fi to the remainder of American’s domestic fleet and adding movies and TV to the already powerful Internet, American and Aircell continue to transform the inflight experience,” said Ash ElDifrawi, executive vice president and CMO of Aircell. In this new era of inflight entertainment and inflight connectivity convergence, we are proud to be American’s partner in innovation and applaud their leadership.”

In other news, American Airlines and American Eagle are partnering with the American Red Cross to provide aid to those affected by recent damaging weather. With more than half of the United States affected by a series of severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and wildfires, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program can support relief efforts by donating to the American Red Cross to help provide shelter, food and other assistance to victims.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell