Today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, we’re announcing the launch of a revolutionary crew messaging service: Crew Connect for Airline Operational Services.
Crew Connect is a dynamic messaging platform that allows flight crews to communicate by voice or text messaging with each other and with ground crews while the aircraft is in flight. The service is an application-based service, available on Android, Apple and Microsoft devices that offers group messaging, event-based alerts, multi-media messaging and message tracking.
“Today, numerous airlines are issuing their flight attendants and pilots Wi-Fi enabled tablets and smartphones, which are capable of utilizing aircraft connectivity. Crew Connect leverages that trend,” said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief commercial officer. “The only other way for cabin crew to communicate off the aircraft is through traditional flight deck voice or datalink (ACARS) systems, which have historically been difficult and expensive to utilize for in-flight cabin crew communication. This service will give airlines an inexpensive way to keep crew connected and informed while in the air, with the ultimate goal of helping airlines improve efficiency.”
The technology is based on leading IP messaging platform technology. The service will include features like: Dynamic call grouping, which allows the airline to send communications to an entire aircraft, fleet or region; status notifications like “message read” and “on aircraft”; and hot button calling to airline-designated sites such as dispatch, scheduling and maintenance.
“Although optimized for Gogo’s network, Crew Connect is also available to airlines with alternative connectivity suppliers,” indicated Andrew Kemmetmueller, Vice President of Airline Operational Services and Platforms. “The service is designed to maximize the communications value of any broadband link for the airline, bringing improved functions on any connected aircraft.”
“Crew Connect is another example of how Gogo is driving industry-leading innovation on its in-flight network to unlock the potential of the connected fleet,” added ElDifrawi. “We will continue to work with airline partners to create products and service that help them achieve their individual goals from an operational perspective.”
We recently published a whitepaper written by Andrew Kemmetmueller titled “building the case for the connected aircraft”. The Whitepaper is available to download on our commercial aircraft site.
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