By Florence Onuegbu
Lagos – Turkish Airlines say it is offering “eXPhone’’, a service for uninterrupted communication aboard flight to further improve passengers comfort and satisfaction.
The airline said in Lagos on Saturday that the revolutionary service would redefine flight experience for customers across its over 200 destinations while on board.
It said the airline had been awarded Europe’s Best Airline for six consecutive years because of its revolutionary services.
According to the airline, as an extension of Wi-Fi and live TV availability on its Boeing B777 and Airbus A330 aircraft is being enabled through the initiative to offer mobile internet connectivity by eXPhone to its guests.
It said that passengers on the airlines will begin to enjoy the services beginning from April 2017.
“By using this service, passengers will be able to send text messages (excluding voice messages), check e-mails and browse the internet, including social media platforms with their mobile phones.
“Although the stages of the process for the usage of the service are pronged, first, the cabin crew will make an announcement to inform passengers about the service’s current availability for on-board use after take-off.
“Secondly, provided the `Data Roaming’ mode is activated on passengers’ mobile phones, the exPhone service will automatically run which will be used till the flight is ready for landing,’’ the airline said in a statemen.
The airline said that the service had been tested to offer communication service that allowed passengers to run their businesses and exchange communication with relatives and friends while on-board.
It said the eXPhone service was offered in close cooperation with Panasonic and AeroMobile.
The statement said that the service had successfully been tested on-board during a flight with participation of its relevant authorities via one of its cabin attendant’s’ mobile phone.
It said that the eXPhone service would be billed by the passengers’ mobile phone operators, and the prices will vary depending on their individual roaming contracts.
“Passengers may find the details of this service in Turkish Airlines’ inflight magazine — SkyLife.
“Turkish Airlines has always been at the forefront of deploying technology to offer improved flight experience for customers,’’ it said.
“In December 2016, the airline selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) advanced eX1 Inflight Entertainment and Communications (IFEC) system and Global Communication Services for its new fleet of narrow body aircraft.
“The eX1 solution is an advanced narrow-body IFE system.
“Its uncompromising industrial design, high-definition display technologies and high fidelity audio create a home theater atmosphere that draws passengers into an immersive entertainment experience,’’ it said.
The airline said that the system would include Panasonic’s unique Passenger Data Integration (PDI) service which would allow Turkish Airlines to add higher levels of personalisation to its inflight experience.
It said that the PDI would also allow Turkish Airlines to seamlessly recognise the travel preferences of their guests and recommend content, services and specific amenities that would enhance passengers experience both in flight and in their destination city.