APEX Expo, ANAHEIM, California/PRNewswire/ --

OnAir Play is set to revolutionize the way airline passengers spend their time onboard by combining inflight connectivity with films, TV, live news, music, games, magazines and newspapers. Passengers will now have access to a full range of content including live news and sport, updated throughout the flight and can buy destination-based goods and services to ease their arrival.

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Passengers simply need to connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot to enjoy a wide range of entertainment features. The passenger interface, which is fully customizable, is highly intuitive and is compatible with all device types, regardless of brand, screen size and operating system. OnAir's onboard GSM and Wi-Fi networks mean passengers can tweet, email, send text messages, browse the Internet and make calls.  

"OnAir Play marks the start of a new era in how we spend our time during the flight," said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. "On the ground the way we watch TV and films or listen to music has changed to an on-demand mentality. We can even provide passengers with regularly refreshed, time-sensitive content, such as news and sport. We want to tell people about what we're doing, through social media, email, text messages and even talking to them. Why should it be different when we fly?"

"We know the vast majority of airline passengers carry a smartphone or tablet, and often both," Dawkins, added. "Passengers are familiar with their own device and have all the apps they are used to including a screen whose quality is often better than those on the back of seats. OnAir Play lets airlines provide passengers with the entertainment and connectivity options they want."

OnAir Play gives airlines the freedom to provide extensive inflight entertainment (IFE) content directly to passengers' own personal electronic devices through the onboard wireless network. Importantly, IFE is now a viable option for short-haul and regional operators, with a passenger service differentiation and revenue generating opportunities, such as the sale of content and advertising opportunities. Airlines opting to offer OnAir Play have the option to continue working with existing content providers, or work with OnAir to create content integrated packages.

The solution was developed in conjunction with inflight entertainment expert Advanced Inflight Alliance AG (AIA) and its software group DTI, through its Wireless Inflight Services and Entertainment. It provides full video-on demand capability with secured wireless Digital Rights Management (DRM) streaming approved by major studios through renowned AIA content specialist IFP.

"Our agreement with OnAir  combines the expertise of key players in the fields of content and connectivity to provide an exceptional end-to-end wireless solution to the market. It will allow airlines to save on the overall cost of their inflight entertainment services and provide efficiencies when managing their onboard content," said Walé Adepoju, Chief Operations Officer of AIA. "We are delighted to partner with OnAir to provide airlines with this innovative solution which includes technical facilities, content services and distribution, as well as inflight software features."

For more information and a live demo of OnAir Play, visit our booths - OnAir booth 1041, AIA booth 1012 - at the APEX Expo in Anaheim, September 9-12, 2013.

About OnAir

OnAir sets the benchmark for global inflight connectivity services, with over 50 customers on five continents. We are the only provider to offer consistent global coverage for both inflight GSM and Wi-Fi, thanks to regulatory approvals from approaching 100 countries, more than 350 roaming agreements, and by using Inmarsat's I4 satellite networks.

OnAir's products enable passengers to use their own mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and laptops in exactly the same way as they do on the ground, either through the onboard GSM network or the onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The products are available as linefit or retrofit for all commercial aircraft, as well as government, VIP and business jets, and ships.

OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by SITA, the leading IT solutions provider to the air transport world. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for both SBB and GX Aviation services.

More information about OnAir

• Visit our Website
• Follow OnAir on LinkedIn
• Watch OnAir on YouTube

About Advanced Inflight Alliance AG

Advanced Inflight Alliance AG (ISIN DE0001262186, WKN 126218) (AIA) is a world leader in passenger experience solutions. AIA's subsidiaries are market-leaders in the inflight entertainment industry serving over 130 airlines around the world with inflight content services and solutions.

IFP, a division of AIA, is a world leader of in-flight entertainment content licensing, processing and workflow management delivering value to the world's most important airlines.  With offices spanning the globe and over thirty years of expertise in offering a complete range of in-flight services and solutions, IFP is uniquely positioned to provide the ultimate experience in passenger engagement.  

DTI, a division of AIA, is the world's leading inflight entertainment software and solutions provider. Over the past decade, DTI has established itself as the global leader of inflight games, developing its own cutting-edge entertainment software and supplying popular licensed games and content applications to a majority of the world's top airlines.

Together, IFP and DTI have the technical capabilities to work with all aircraft and onboard systems and tailor solutions to each individual airline, their systems, destinations, passenger demographic and budget.

For more information, please visit http://www.advanced-inflight-alliance.com