Category: Blog

Ireland has a brilliant reputation in filmmaking today, but this wasn’t always the case.

Back in the early and mid-20th century, as the U.S., India, UK, Italy and France redefined cinema, the Irish were focused on other mediums, like writing, painting and music.

This started to change, however, in the latter half of the century.

From the 80s on, popular and acclaimed movies started to make waves globally while actors and directors – like Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy and Jim Sheridan, to name a few – became household names.

Fast forward to today, and filmmaking is as integral to Irish culture as Guinness, Father Ted and Thin Lizzy.

And, being Paddy’s Day, what better time to celebrate this?

Here’s a list of some of the fantastic movies from Ireland, many of which, by the way, Inflight Dublin has put onboard planes as part of their inflight entertainment offering.

If you represent an airline, we can do the same for you: send a message to mail@inflightdublin.com to learn more.

Wolfwalkers

Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, Give Up Yer Aul Sins… The Irish have a real flair for animation.

Wolfwalkers, by renowned studio Cartoon Saloon, is the latest masterwork.

Recently nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes, it has, just this week, made the Oscars category for the same.

And rightly so. From the mysterious, engaging story, to the stunning artwork, to the charming voice acting, this is a serious achievement.

A must-see!

Michael Collins

One of Ireland’s highest performers at the Box Office, both at home and abroad, Micheal Collins is arguably the country’s most well-known film.

Directed by Neil Jordan and starring Liam Neeson, it’s both a big-screen blockbuster, and an absorbing account of a key point in Irish history.

Some questionable accents aside, it’s still a great film. 😉

The Young Offenders

The Young Offenders is the definition of a breakout hit.

Made on a meagre budget of €50,000, it brought in almost fifteen times that at the Box Office, and has since become a hit TV series.

A spin on a real news story, it’s follows Conor and Jock, two teenagers from Cork, as they embark on a 160km road trip, on bikes, in the hopes of finding a bale of cocaine. Seriously!

A movie packed with warmth and wit, and great one-liners. For example: “There are two things you need for an adventure: a treasure map and someone dumb enough to go with you”.

Vivarium

Directed by up-and-comer Lorcan Finnegan, and starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, Vivarium is an intriguing mix of social commentary and psychological horror.

It’s about a young couple who buy a new house in a neighbourhood full of identical ones. Problem is, as they soon find out, they can’t leave. Things only get weirder from there.

A distinctive film with a pertinent message, as well as some impressive, and very creepy, set and sound design.

Sing Street

Who doesn’t love Sing Street?

About a boy who starts a band to impress a girl he likes, it’s touching, very funny, and loads of fun.

With tunes from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Jam, Joe Jackson and Motörhead, and some fantastic original music, the soundtrack is on point, too.

My Left Foot

Daniel-Day Lewis’ Christy Brown is what we all think of when we think of My Left Foot.

Understandably, of course. it’s a masterclass, and bagged him his first of three Oscars.

But the movie wouldn’t be what it is without the exceptional cast: Brenda Fricker, as Bridget, deservedly won Best Supporting Actress, while Ray McNally’s portrayal of Christy’s dad is outstanding.

Twenty-two years since its release, My Left Foot remains one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and respected films.

Brooklyn

Ok, as you might guess, Brooklyn isn’t set in Ireland for much of its runtime. But there’s enough here to consider it, at least partly, an Irish film.

Directed by John Crowley (Intermission, The Goldfinch), and based on the novel by Colm Toibín, it’s a moving, bittersweet, and ultimately uplifting, story.

Saoirse Ronan, in a role that cemented her reputation as a major acting talent, is wonderful as Eilis. 

The Camino Voyage

Ireland produces some excellent feature-length documentaries. The Camino Voyage is one of the best.

Released in 2018, it’s about a crew of five (one of whom music fans may recognise) attempting to sail across the 2,500 kilometre stretch of sea between Ireland and Spain – otherwise known as the Camino.

It’s inspiring, special, and for reasons I won’t go into lest I spoil it, more than a little heartbreaking.

The Commitments

Film critic Renee Schonfeld had this to say about The Commitments:

I couldn’t agree more.

About Jimmy Rabbitte, a music-obsessed lad who gets a soul group together, The Commitments is one of Ireland’s most loved and enduring films.

If you haven’t seen the performance of “Mustang Sally” from the movie, you’ve been missing out:

A Date for Mad Mary

What a charming film this is!

It’s about “Mad” Mary McArdle, who embarks on a series of disastrous dates as she tries to find a plus-one for her best friend’s wedding. Things start looking up, though, when Jess appears on the scene…

The recipient of Best Film at the 2016 IFTAs, A Date for Mad Mary is a hilarious, kind-hearted movie about friendship, love and growing up.

Martin

One of the best shorts I’ve seen, Martin is a mini-documentary about a man who lives under a bridge in Dublin.

He doesn’t consider himself homeless though, and is, according to director Donal Moloney, “probably the happiest man I have ever met”.

But this isn’t just a character study or a social critique: it’s also about the friendship that develops between director and subject.

Insightful and inspiring.

Handsome Devil

Handsome Devil is one of those that anyone can enjoy, and everyone should see.

Fionn O’ Shea and Nicholas Galitizine are Ned and Conor, two opposites who develop an unlikely bond while attending a rugby-obsessed school.

Also starring Andrew Scott as the boys’ inspiring teacher, the strong cast is matched by a screenplay that skillfully blends comedy and drama.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Directed by Ken Loach and starring Cillian Murphy, this historical drama, about two brothers fighting on opposite sides of the Irish Civil War, is gripping and hard-hitting.

Wonderful to look at, too; Barry Ackroyd’s cinematography is excellent.

It won the 2016 Palme D’Or and, with a return of over earning €2.7 million on its theatrical run, became the most popular independent Irish film ever released in Ireland.

The Quiet Man

Ok, so it’s heavy on the clichés (I almost expect a leprechaun with a pot o’ gold to jump out at some point), but park the cynicism, and you’ll find a lot to enjoy in The Quiet Man.

The setting, for instance. Filmed in beautiful County Mayo, and expertly shot by celebrated cinematographer Winton C. Hoch, it all looks exceptionally lovely.

It’s also fun to see two pioneers of the Western, John Forde and John Wayne, do their thing in a very different environment. Best of all is Maureen O’ Hara’s performance as Mary Kate Danaher, which is simply iconic. 

Ok, so Citizen Kane it is not; but what list of Irish films would be complete without The Quiet Man?

Written by Conor Regan.

Inflight Dublin prides itself on providing the highest quality content to our clients, and this includes the best that Irish cinema has to offer. If you’d like to learn more, contact us at mail@inflightdublin.com.

Happy International Women’s Day!

To celebrate the day, Inflight Dublin spoke to some of our brilliant female clients and colleagues to hear their thoughts on what first attracted them to aviation, and how far the industry has come on gender equality.

Special thanks to Jana, Gizman, Luana, Tinna, Yasmine and Parfaite for their insightful responses – Enjoy!

Interviews

Jana Rolker, IFE Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

The fascination for flying. To put it in Frida Kahlo’s words: “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Actually, every woman who changed the world to a better place inspires me, including all the ladies who are encouraging each other.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

The representation of women equally across all fields and of course initiatives like this one.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Counterquestion: Why waste the equal inclusion of half of the worlds’ talent?

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male-dominated industry?

You have what it takes to succeed. Don’t get yourself stereotyped by others.

Gizman Kamill, A/MGR Inflight Product Development and Standards, In-flight Product Development

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

Growing up in Ethiopia, I can say becoming a flight attendant or just belonging to the industry was an automatic dream like it is for most Ethiopian girls. It was and I believe, it still is every girl’s dream to be a flight attendant. Everything about flight attendants was really attractive; from the colours of their uniforms to the ways the flight attendants carried themselves.  In addition, it was an honour to be able to work for Ethiopian airlines, the biggest airline in Africa.  So I was lucky enough to be hired as a flight attendant right after I graduated from the Addis Ababa Commercial College itself a very reputable institution.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

A name known by almost every grown-up Ethiopian woman, Sahlework Zewdie is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational women to have ever lived in Ethiopia.  Her becoming the president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has resulted in inspiring many Ethiopian women, myself included, to realize that the only limit we have now is the sky.  She may be a soft-spoken person but I think she has already done (never mind what she will do going forward) a lot more than the previous three men presidents put together!

In connection the industry particularly from ET, Mrs.  Rahel Asefa So humble, tenacity and strength of character to punch more than her weight.  Her becoming a vice president in a still very largely male-dominated industry speaks volumes about this inspirational woman.  Just seeing how quickly she came up to this position through the ranks not to mention her specific achievements in terms of the wide-ranging changes she has brought to the department, gives me and many other women in the industry hope that, to repeat myself, the only limit is the sky.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

To speak from my experience in the Ethiopian Airlines, i am seeing many women participating in formerly only-male professions like piloting, being flight technicians and others. That honestly makes me very happy.  It is something we need more of in our society.  But there aren’t still many women in top-flight positions.  I hope to see more women coming forward to the leadership positions of the company.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

In countries like Ethiopia girls are raised in different environments than boys even within the same family. It is usually the girl’s responsibility to clean, cook and look after the family. This experience helps them to mature early. So when this maturity is supported with education and experience they usually make an outstanding leader.  They have an open eye to observe and evaluate their environment. They make decision based on their judgment not their ego.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

All I can say is just tell yourself that you can do it.  It will not be a smooth ride but it’s worth the bump at the end of the road. Don’t expect validation from anyone. Just believe in yourself and keep showing the world that you have what it takes to do what you are doing and more.

Luana Silva, Content Acquistions Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

As an avid traveller (pre-March 2020, of course), I was quite aware of how essential inflight entertainment is and how helpful it can be during long-haul flights. When the opportunity presented for me to work at Inflight Dublin as part of the Content Acquisition team, I didn’t think twice. From the start, it has been a pleasure to help curate content for airlines and, consequently, passengers from all around the world. It’s very rewarding knowing that I might have a hand in making people’s flights a better experience.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Most women inspire me, as all of us have our own journeys and obstacles that we face and do our best to overcome. However, I am most grateful to all the women before me who fought for our rights and made it possible for me to be where I am now and having my voice heard.

Q3: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Companies, and society as a whole, need more perspectives added to the rooms where decisions are made, in order to become more inclusive. Society’s needs don’t always match the ones of white men in suits. We don’t need just more women in leadership positions, but also people from different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disability status and others.

Q4: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

Don’t doubt yourself and be more assertive!

Yasmine Ibrahim, Training Chief Specialist

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

I started my career in aviation as an air hostess in 1980 and I worked my way up to the position I am in now, so what drew me in was surely the fact that there were untapped opportunities in this industry for females in particular at that time, but as well as the opportunity to see the world and meet people from different cultures. It was definitely an opportunity not to be passed on!

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

• Miss  *Siham Raouf*  (one of the Pioneers in aviation business from the 50’s to 90’s
• Miss *Lyan Hasan* one of the best flight purser also flying crew GM for 3 times between 1980 to 1998
• The legend Miss *Faby Hamza* one of the best air hostess & flight manager
• But above all I look up to my mother (May she RIP) whom without her support and strength, I wouldn’t be where I am

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

Egyptair is one of the biggest companies in Egypt which equalize the gender in business as much as possible by allowing women to not only take on the air hostess positions, but as well as managerial ones within the company.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

Women tend to leave a special mark on everything they touch, whether that’s in the business world or in their home. They lead with a conscious and this is important because women raise generations of strong men and women that we need to lead.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

To keep going no matter what, and to only focus on the end goal. To also make a lot of noise in the face of those trying to block their way.

Tinna Traustadóttir, Product Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

I have had an interest in the aviation industry since I was a little girl. I could say it is in my DNA, growing up with my mother working as a flight attendant and father as a station manager at Keflavik airport. I joined the Icelandair team in 2008 when I was 23 years old and have since then been working in various departments.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

The awareness of gender equality in the workplace has raised a lot in the past years. Many companies in Iceland do have a gender equality strategy where they are working towards having a similar ratio of men and women in leadership roles. Men and women should also have the same opportunities to professional growth and the same salary for the same responsibility. Companies that are working towards this strategy are proud of it as it can also affect the image of the company because this is an important matter to people.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

We need diversity and should use the skillset of both men and women to achieve our goals. I also think it is a human right for women to have the same opportunity for professional growth and women can succeed as well as men in whatever they do.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

Believe in yourself.

Parfaite Rugumba, Product and Services Manager

Q1: What first drew you to the Aviation industry?

The passion of travelling.

Q2: Who are some women that inspire you?

I am much inspired by our CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo.

Q3: What progress have you seen on gender equality in the workplace?

I have seen much progress especially the trust that women are given to represent the airline even outside the country. They are in the executive committee also occupying senior management and management positions.

Q4: Why do we need more women in leadership positions, in Aviation and all industries?

We need Women in leadership position because of their ability to pay attention to details which is a key in the aviation industry plus we need women in all industries because of their sense of patience and understanding of other people’s feelings and issues.

Q5: What advice would you give women in a male dominated industry?

  To be bold, firm and decisive. To take on the career with a focus to make a difference.

What is the French New Wave?

The French New Wave, or Nouvelle Vague, was a film movement that started in the late 1950s in (you guessed it) France.

Origins

Of the opinion that cinema had become dated and out of touch, a group of French filmmakers and critics – influenced by Italian Neorealism and directors like Hitchcock and Welles – proposed a new vision for the medium.

Through a series of essays, they laid out their manifesto in influential movie journal, Cahiers du Cinema.

The critics had four main points:

• Cinema must be considered an important and significant artform.
• Filmmakers should experiment, and develop new formal techniques.
• Films must address themes and issues that relate to modern audiences: existentialism, memory, love, childhood and friendship – to name a few.
• A film’s director had full control over all elements of the film, from script to cinematography and everything in between. This is known as auteur theory.

These critiques were revolutionary for their time, and became the foundations for the French New Wave.

Notable Directors

Generally speaking, the movement’s directors were split into two collectives: Cahiers Du Cinema or the Left Bank.

The former, which included luminaries like Claude Chabrol, Francois Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard and Jacques Rivette, produced several outstanding films that, for many, define the New Wave.

At the time, the Left Bank was less associated with the medium than the cinéastes of Cahiers. 

However, this looser relationship had its advantages. Free from the formal constraints and expectations of traditional filmmaking, the Left Bank incorporated other forms – like literature, poetry and documentary – in their movies.

This cross-disciplinary approach led to some of the era’s most unique and interesting films.

Some names you might recognise from this group include Agnès Varda, Chris Marker and Alain Resnais.

Key Characteristics

These directors used techniques that were bold, new and experimental.

Two famous examples are Jean-Luc Godard’s rapid-fire jump cuts in À bout de souffle, which give it its unpredictable, energetic, “breathless” feel, and Francois Truffaut’s iconic tracking shots in Les 400 Coups:

Others developments include shooting on location, the use of direct sound and natural light, and filming with handheld cameras. 

In terms of themes, filmmakers focussed on the personal, philosophical and political concerns of mid-20th century France.

Agnes Varda’s Cléo de 5 à 7, for instance, is a powerful look at existence, illness and fame, while Truffaut’s Jules et Jim and Jacques Rozier’s Adieu Philippine capture the anxiety, confusion and liberation of the post-war years.

Another notable feature was the use of ironic and sarcastic humour, rhetorical devices used to great (and often hilarious) effect.

Must-Sees

It’s a tough ask listing all of the great New Wave films! There are so many worth watching. Nevertheless, here are some absolute must-sees.

In no particular order:

• Hiroshima Mon Amour (dir. Alain Resnais)
• Les 400 Coups (dir. Francois Truffaut)
• Jules et Jim (dir. Francois Truffaut)
• Cléo de 5 à 7 (dir. Agnes Varda)
• Claire’s Knee (dir. Eric Rohmer)
• À bout de souffle (dir. Jean-Luc Godard)
• Les Bonnes Femmes (dir. Claude Chabrol)
• Lola (dir. Jacques Demy)
• Paris Nous Appartient (dir. Jacques Rivette)

Take your pick; they’re all fantastic.

Influence

In this excellent article, Miss Rosen describes how auteur theory changed cinema forever:

We can see the impact of this on the many stylists (or auteurs) of today. 

Tarantino, Scorcese, the Coens and Nolan, for instance, have created bodies of work that are unmistakeably their own; this is a direct influence of the New Wave’s insistence on directorial autonomy.

Also, the movement’s storytelling and filmmaking techniques, so bold and adventurous back then, are now ingrained in cinema.

Take handheld cameras, as just one example. Used in everything from 28 Days Later to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to Saving Private Ryan, you can’t imagine contemporary movies without them. 

But if I haven’t convinced you, maybe Marty Scorsese himself will. Check out the below vid, where the huge influence the French New Wave had on his work:

Concluding Thoughts

Is it a stretch to say that the Nouvelle Vague created modern cinema?

It sounds like hyperbole, but it’s fair to say the likes of Pulp Fiction and Goodfellas arguably wouldn’t exist without it. Or, if they did, would certainly be very different.

Cultural and artistic significance aside, the films still hold up.

The best are funny, smart, profound, exciting and fun. In terms of visuals, style and themes, they don’t feel or look dated; which is quite something when you consider that some are close to seventy years old.

So, there you have it! The French New Wave.

It took the rulebook, ripped it up, wrote a new one, and, in the end, changed cinema forever.

Inflight Dublin prides itself on providing the best International titles to our clients, from the French New Wave and beyond. If you’d like to learn more, contact us at mail@inflightdublin.com.

To coincide with Tenet hitting inflight entertainment screens this month, we thought it’d be a nice idea to write a few words about our favourite Christopher Nolan films.

Hope you enjoy, and keep an eye out for more “Inflight Dublin Favourites” – coming your way soon.

Jamie Baker – Audio Services Lead

Prior to the release of Batman Begins in 2005, live-action Batman films had garnered a reputation for being campy, tongue-in-cheek, and often silly representations of the comic book icon and his Gotham City escapades.

The franchise was in dire need of an overhaul, but few people could have expected the dramatic shift in tone once Christopher Nolan took the helm.

Batman Begins is built on foundations of realism and grit. For the first time on the big screen, it tells the origin story of Bruce Wayne, the son of a billionaire who tragically loses his parents to one of the many criminals churned out by the sinister streets of Gotham City.

It takes relatively lesser-known villains from the Batman universe and magnifies them, creating complex characters with interesting motivations and unique relationships with Batman.

But what truly sets Nolan’s film apart from all the Batman films before it is its determination to focus in on Bruce Wayne as a character, adding layers of intrigue to the man behind the mask.

At its core, the film is a character study which follows a broken and brooding man’s search for purpose, fuelled by trauma, rage and an unwavering need for revenge.

While often overshadowed by the incredible narrative and mammoth Heath Ledger performance featured in the sequel, Batman Begins is my favourite Christopher Nolan film because it is the first movie to truly get Batman right.

It set up one of the most memorable and consistently brilliant trilogies in film history, and significantly raised the bar for all superhero movies that followed it.

Rika Argadireja – Metadata Executive

The Christopher Nolan movie I like the most is Interstellar. An epic sci-fi set in a dystopian time in the future when the earth is dying, it follows a group of astronauts who attempt to find a new home for mankind through interstellar travel.

The combination of time relativity adventures, space exploration, exceptional acting (I personally think that Matthew McConaughey’s acting is Oscar-worthy), an unpredictable cameo appearance, and aesthetically pleasing visuals perfectly compliment the story about humanity.

The other thing that I really like about the movie is the ending – I don’t want to say too much but the last five minutes are emotional, tear-jerking, and it made me realise how valuable family and time are.

I can’t recommend it enough, Interstellar is definitely high up on my most favourite movies list!

Conor Regan – Snr. Content Acquisitions Executive

Inception has all the hallmarks we’ve come to expect from a Nolan film: beautiful cinematography; thrilling action; a non-linear narrative; mind-bending visual effects; a pulsating Hans Zimmer score, and ruminations on philosophy and metaphysics.

But for me, one thing in particular gives it an edge over his other work, and that’s how moving it is.

Because if you take away the talk of extractions and projections, what we’re left with is a man, who’s exiled from his family, doing anything it takes to get home. And it’s this simple narrative strand that anchors the movie, and gives it its emotional heft.

Key to the film’s power is Dominick Cobb, Inception‘s brilliant, yet troubled, protagonist.

Like the director’s best characters, he’s a bundle of contradictions, and far from the “good guy” archetype of way too many action flicks. He mightn’t always be likeable, but, as we learn more about his backstory, we come to understand his motivations and empathise with his situation.

The closing scene, in particular, packs a serious emotional gut-punch. Without giving too much away, it’s a rollercoaster of excitement, tension, release, and ambiguity that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.

Inception isn’t just my favourite Nolan, but one of my favourites full stop. An awesome film.

Jane Boland – Marketing Executive

The casting was 10/10 with an outstanding performance from Heath Ledger as the Joker, which for many people carried the entire film. However, Christian Bale brought two great characters to life; the strong crime-fighting Batman and the wealthy yet troubled Bruce Wayne.

Intense action scenes such as the opening bank robbery scene and the car chase/truck flip are iconic still to this day.

I think I need a Batman trilogy movie marathon now!

Tenet will be available for inflight entertainment systems from January 2021. At Inflight Dublin, we pride ourselves on providing the best film, TV, audio and innovative content to our clients – and that includes Christopher Nolan films! If you’d like to learn how we can do the same for your airline, make sure to get in touch; you can contact us here.

All images property of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

Inflight Dublin has been awarded a 3-year contract for the provision of inflight entertainment (IFE) by long-standing client Ethiopian Airlines Group, the national flag carrier of Ethiopia.

Inflight Dublin has been providing IFE services to Ethiopian Airlines since 2010, ranging from content, wireless software, motion graphics and an interactive microsite.

Inflight Dublin will service Ethiopian Airlines’ entire IFE-enabled fleet with content, including 3 B767 aircraft that utilise Inflight Dublin’s Everhub™ wireless software platform. The content package will feature Hollywood blockbusters, classic movies, TV shows, local content and YouTube videos.

Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa, operating a fleet of over 128 aircraft for short, medium, and long-haul flights to 127 international destinations. The airline was also voted ‘Best Airline in Africa’ for the 3^rd consecutive year at the Skytrax 2019 World Airlines Awards.

Inflight Dublin has been awarded a 5-year contract for the provision of inflight entertainment (IFE) by Uganda Airlines, the national flag carrier of Uganda. The agreement sees Inflight Dublin providing IFE content services to Uganda Airlines with quarterly updates commencing in January 2021.

Inflight Dublin is the largest CSP in Africa, currently in partnerships with more than ten airlines in the African region. This experience and knowledge of the African market allows Inflight Dublin to curate a bespoke content package for Uganda Airlines’ passenger audience, including Local and International content. The extensive catalogue also consists of Hollywood movies, TV Shows, Boxsets, Music, Games and Publications.

Maintaining a current fleet of four Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, Uganda Airlines links Uganda to the rest of Africa by operating flights to nine destinations across the continent including Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo. In December 2020, Uganda Airlines will take delivery of brand new Airbus A330-800neo and thereafter launch intercontinental flights to Europe, Asia and the Middle East

Inflight Dublin has been chosen by Condor, a long-standing client of over 10 years, to provide its Wireless IFE solution, Everhub™, on several long-haul flights.

Commencing in November, Inflight Dublin will equip 3 of Condor’s long-haul B767 aircraft with the DO-160G certified Everhub™ Portable wireless server.

The Everhub™ software platform will be accessible to Condor’s passengers through Inflight Dublin’s recently upgraded passenger web application which features a brand-aligned Graphical User Interface (GUI) available in 11 languges. The content package consists of secure DRM content such as Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows, as well as Games and Publications. Condor’s duty-free onboard magazine ‘bordshop’ will also feature in the catalogue.

Condor will have access to Inflight Dublin’s cloud-hosted Control Centre, enabling remote configuration of all active services deployed on the servers. The Control Centre also houses Inflight Dublin’s analytics tool, IFD Insights, which will provide intuitive and insightful reports detailing the performance of the Hardware, Software and Content offering on board.

Inflight Dublin has been chosen by GainJet – private aircraft charter operator – for the provision of its one-stop-shop wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) solution, Everhub™.

In July, Inflight Dublin equipped one of GainJet’s Boeing 757 aircraft with its next-generation Everhub™ Portable wireless server. The DO-160G certified hardware is complemented by the Everhub™ software platform which includes a streaming service and brand-aligned Graphical User Interface (GUI). The content package consists of Hollywood blockbuster movies, TV shows, Music, and Games, curated specifically for GainJet’s audience.

For easy set-up and calibration of content and services, GainJet will have access to Everhub’s cloud-hosted Control Centre. The Control Centre is also home to Inflight Dublin’s analytics tool, IFD Insights, which will provide informative performance reports related to Hardware, Software and Content usage.

GainJet is a leading private aircraft charter operator and management company, with bases in Greece, Ireland, the UK and Kuwait. They specialize in VIP aircraft with a fleet of executive airliners and ultra-long range business jets.

Inflight Dublin has launched an upgraded passenger web application for its wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) system, Everhub™. The new features of the web app were established from continuous client feedback and evolving industry trends. This culminated in a focus to minimise physical touchpoints and increase Ancillary Revenue opportunities. The upgraded web app is also available as part of Inflight Dublin’s recently announced 6-month free trial of the Everhub™ wireless IFE solution.

The improved web app showcases a sleek new design with switchable light and dark themes. Using a new Material User Interface (Material UI) and Progressive Web App (PWA) features allows the web-based interface to appear as a native application without the need for any app/SDK installations on the end-users device. With Ancillary Revenue at the forefront of airlines’ minds, advertising plays a key role in the upgraded web app. Everhub™ supports banner ads, pre-roll video ads, and interstitial ads which can appear on a timed basis or popup when navigating through the system. With the growing need for contactless and paper-free initiatives, Health and Safety information and on-board protocols can be fully digitized, reducing risks by eliminating unnecessary touchpoints on board.

The web app is integrated with Everhub’s cloud-hosted Control Centre which provides back-office capabilities at no additional cost to the airline. This enables the deployed servers to be configured, operationally tracked, and updated remotely. The branded User Interface (UI) is fully customizable and remotely accessible, allowing airlines to enable or disable features including the types of entertainment, advertising, and shopping catalogues that are available to passengers. In addition, the airline can provide custom content such as marketing campaigns, airline news & service bulletins, and destination information, all from the comfort of their own office. The upgraded web app also includes Inflight Dublin’s data analytics platform, IFD Insights. This offers airlines access to content usage trends, advertising reports, and survey feedback, providing constant updates on the performance of their IFE offering on board.

Inflight Dublin is offering a 6-month free trial of its wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) solution, Everhub™, to airlines seeking support during this difficult period.

Everhub™ is a one-stop-shop for all of your IFE needs, consisting of Hardware, Software, Content, and Ancillary services. Inflight Dublin is offering Everhub™ on a trial basis to assist airlines in pausing content & integration costs, whilst providing a high quality and user-friendly IFE experience to passengers. Utilizing one supplier for all IFE requirements poses many operational and financial benefits to airlines, and with the use of personal devices (PEDs) and the ability to digitize publications, wireless inflight entertainment supports new hygiene and safety protocols relating to Covid-19.

The Everhub™ portable wireless server is DO-160G certified and minimises operational costs through its hot-swappable battery configuration and remote loading of content. Fuel costs are also reduced as weight-savings due to the digitization of publications and potential removal of seatback screens are obtained. Ancillary revenue generators such as advertisements and destination services offset costs and create new revenue streams for airlines while enhancing the offering provided to passengers on board.