SkyFive and Bluebox partner on inflight connectivity and entertainment
Inflight connectivity provider SkyFive is teaming with Bluebox to combine air-to-ground internet with the Blueview entertainment and retail platform, aiming to boost passenger experience and ancillary revenue.
SkyFive and Bluebox have announced a partnership intended to combine inflight connectivity with digital entertainment and retail tools for airlines. The collaboration integrates Bluebox's Blueview platform with SkyFive's air-to-ground internet service, allowing airlines to offer entertainment, advertising, retail sales and order-to-seat services in the cabin.
According to the companies, airlines will have flexibility in how they implement the system. They can host the retail and entertainment offering on the Blueview Cloud platform, with data carried over SkyFive's connectivity link, or they can run a Blueview instance onboard using SkyFive's OpenServer hardware.
A Bluebox representative said airlines that have shown interest in SkyFive's air-to-ground internet service are also seeking ways to generate more direct revenue from that connectivity, which the partnership is designed to address.
The companies said the combined offering is expected to improve the passenger experience through personalized entertainment recommendations and access to a broader, more frequently updated content catalog, made possible by the live internet connection. They also said the live connectivity could help airlines reduce fraud through real-time payment processing for onboard purchases.
No financial terms, launch airlines, or implementation timeline were disclosed in connection with the announcement.
Sources
- paxex.aeroSkyFive, Bluebox Team for Inflight Digital Boost