A Lufthansa A320 taking off. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Inmarsat announced the commercial service introduction of GX Aviation with Lufthansa Group, the launch customer of its next-generation in-flight broadband solution. Under a 10-year strategic partnership between Inmarsat and Lufthansa Group, approximately 300 Airbus A320 aircraft will be equipped with GX Aviation.

To date, Inmarsat has completed 80 of the aircraft installations and customers can now purchase GX Aviation on selected Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines short and medium haul flights. Lufthansa Group’s low-cost carrier Eurowings is also set to launch its commercial services in the coming weeks.

The commercial service introduction follows the completion of a test program, lasting approximately four months, during which the solution successfully met performance targets and received positive feedback from passengers as well as Lufthansa Group cabin crew, according to Inmarsat.

Passengers can connect to GX Aviation using their personal devices via Lufthansa Group’s FlyNet portal. Three package tiers are available with both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, starting with a messaging service for 3 euros ($3.27) per flight, a surfing service for 7 euros ($7.63), and a streaming service for 12 euros ($13.08). Passengers can either pay via credit card or payment services such as PayPal. Purchases using Air Miles or via roaming partners will also be available soon, Lufthansa stated.

Lufthansa Technik is responsible for installing the systems and components required for GX Aviation on Lufthansa aircraft, as well as the required work for aeronautical and statutory regulations. Lufthansa Systems makes the required infrastructure available onboard the aircraft and provides portals for passengers based on its BoardConnect product line.

Inmarsat partner Deutsche Telekom is Lufthansa Group’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the airlines connect to the GX network using JetWave hardware provided by Honeywell Aerospace.