Finnair Adding ARINC Seatback Messaging on New Long-Haul JetsSeptember 17, 2007Annapolis, Maryland—Finnair, the national flag carrier of Finland, has asked its satellite solutions provider ARINC Incorporated to deploy the popular ARINC seatback SMS/e-mail messaging service on Finnair’s newest A340 aircraft, used on Asian routes. The service is now operational on Finnair’s two newest A340’s, which were delivered in May and June, and ARINC will deploy the service on additional A340s after delivery in 2008. Finnair joins five other leading airlines offering ARINC’s seatback messaging solution, with more airlines to be announced imminently. ARINC’s seatback messaging solution is a joint initiative of ARINC and Panasonic, which runs on Panasonic’s 2000e, 3000, 3000i, and latest eX2 platforms. Seatback messaging allows airline passengers to stay in touch with the ground by exchanging simple e-mails and SMS text messages using Panasonic’s In-Flight Entertainment handsets and seatback screens already installed on the aircraft. Finnair, with its hub strategically located in Helsinki, is enjoying strong 30% annual traffic growth on its ten Asian routes. It is currently renewing its long-haul fleet with the new wide-body A340s. “ARINC congratulates Finnair on its vision and its success in expanding service between Europe and Asia,” stated Ed Montgomery, ARINC Managing Director. “ARINC’s experience indicates seatback messaging is a convenience very much appreciated by passengers on today’s long international flights.” “Finnair is pleased with the initial response of our customers to ARINC’s seatback messaging service,” stated Tero Lohimäki, Finnair, Director IFEC and Cabin Interiors. “We believe by allowing passengers to stay in touch during long flights we can make a positive contribution to their overall comfort and customer satisfaction.” ARINC’s seatback messaging service offers a number of new features including a selection of inexpensive e-greeting cards. Web-based tools allow airlines to alter retail prices from the ground and display branded elements such as taglines without any changes to the onboard software. Finnair is one of the world's longest-operating airlines, and has recently emerged as a major player in air traffic between Europe and Asia. It offers 50 flights daily to ten destinations in India, China, Japan and Thailand, and serves every major European city with timetables offering quick connections to Asian flights. Finnair also serves 15 domestic destinations within Finland, and its leisure flights serve more than 60 destinations in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, South-East Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. For more information, visit the Finnair web site at www.finnair.com. ARINC Incorporated is a world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to eight key industries: airports, aviation, aerospace and defense, government, healthcare, networks, security, and transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and maintains regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,200 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Release: 07-169 Brand Management & Communications |
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