Our new partnership with MIAT is another example of Inflight Dublin supporting airlines who want to take their first step into the IFE market. There is a variety of in-seat and wireless IFE options available to airlines, but Inflight Dublin’s Everhub solution is fast becoming the default choice for airlines looking for value for money, flexibility and scalability. This positive news is just one of many exciting announcements Inflight Dublin will be making over the coming months as we continue to lead in the wireless IFE market.” – Barry Flynn, Inflight Dublin’s CCO
Tag: content
Inflight Dublin takes off with more EditShare storage
Dublin, 11 December 2024 — EditShare, the technology leader that enables storytellers to create and manage collaborative workflows at every stage from storyboard to screen, has expanded Inflight Dublin’s storage capacity by adding further high-powered EFS nodes. The new appliances, supplied through EditShare’s channel partner Tyrell, provide an additional half petabyte of capacity to the company’s infrastructure.
Inflight Dublin has been a market leader in providing content for Inflight Entertainment (IFE) for 40 years. Many airlines worldwide now rely on it for packages of movies, television shows and games tailored to the needs of their passengers. EditShare has provided its content library and management facilities since 2011.
“We curate and package everything that is needed for IFE: video, audio, subtitles and metadata,” said Pat Nolan, Director of IT and Information Security for Inflight Dublin. “We need agility to combine content with the right audio and subtitle languages, in the right formats for the IFE equipment on the client’s planes, quickly, accurately and securely.”
Inflight utilizes a tiered content storage strategy to optimize its production and archiving processes. This strategy includes EFS production storage, EFS nearline storage, and long-term archival solutions.
EFS production nodes deliver high-performance storage for fast content creation, EFS nearline storage, serves as an intermediate parking storage solution. Upon project completion and delivery, all content is securely archived using EditShare ARK.
Content flows and access are managed through EditShare FLOW software, which also provides the integration point for Inflight Dublin’s in-house developed software tools for automatically creating deliverables. Embedded in FLOW is EditShare Guardian, for comprehensive analytics and audit trailing, and combined with EditShare’s inherent security, provides assurance to the very high standards demanded by the company’s suppliers, which include major movie and television studios.
“As Infight’s long-term partner, we understand the critical role workflow and security plays in its business and the demanding needs of the airlines it serves,” said Stephen Murnane, Account Manager, Tyrell. “By providing additional EditShare EFS storage, Inflight Dublin can ensure a seamless IFE experience for passengers worldwide.”
“Content is a fundamental part of Inflight Dublin’s operations,” said Tara Montford, Co-Founder and EVP Sales at EditShare. “Its suppliers need to be certain that their intellectual property is protected; its customers need to know that the passengers on their planes will be delighted by the IFE experience, not disappointed or frustrated.”
“EditShare is the core of the operation,” he continued. “It is much more than very reliable storage: the FLOW software provides the functionality Inflight Dublin needs, the interconnectivity for its workflow, and provides the security and traceability to completely protect the media.”RSM for Northern Europe, EditShare. We’re proud to support Tint with an EditShare solution tailored to their needs today and built for future success.”
For more information on EditShare solutions, please click here to get in touch.
About EditShare
EditShare is an Emmy Award-winning technology leader, supporting storytellers through collaborative media workflows across on-premise, cloud and hybrid architectures. It offers scalable storage and collaboration for media businesses and at every stage of the video production process from storyboarding to screening.
The software is inherently open, encouraging workflow collaboration, third-party integrations and content sharing across the entire production chain. Where required, the software is backed by high performance, high availability designed specifically for the demands of media storage, management and delivery. The comprehensive offering covers multi-level content storage for production and post, along with innovative asset and workflow management software, plus specialized and highly valued tools for content review and distribution, the creation of customized and branded pitch reels, and secure preview of high-value pre-release content.
About Tyrell
For 24 years Tyrell has been providing video, audio, graphics and storage solutions to the Irish and UK broadcast, post, production, corporate and education markets. In this time, we have become the leading provider of technology and service solutions both on-premise and in the cloud. Tyrell has an excellent understanding of the fast pace and unique pressures facing the media and entertainment industry; developing solutions for complex workflows. Allowing our clients to concentrate on the creative process and business development. From our two locations we offer a comprehensive range of professional services from consultancy to system design and integration, technical support and maintenance.
About Inflight Dublin
Inflight Dublin is a leading provider of Inflight Entertainment and connectivity solutions. With a focus on innovation and quality, we offer a wide range of services including content provision, wireless streaming, and more. Our solutions are designed to enhance the passenger experience, providing airlines with the tools to deliver exceptional Inflight Entertainment.
For more information on Inflight Dublin please visit www.inflightdublin.com
Inflight Dublin Secures Contract to Supply Everhub™ Wireless IFE Solution for Copa Airlines’ Entire 737 Fleet
Dublin, Ireland – 29th October 2024: Inflight Dublin, a leading provider of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and wireless streaming solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the contract to supply its innovative Everhub™ wireless IFE solution across Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737 fleet. This significant partnership marks a major milestone in enhancing the passenger experience on Copa Airlines, one of Latin America’s most prestigious carriers.
Inflight Dublin was selected after a considerable testing process and market analysis by Copa Airlines, which is testament to Everhub’s™ capabilities. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Everhub™ allows the airline to build an ecosystem of services that passengers can access directly through their personal devices. This ensures a personalized and convenient experience, tailored to the needs and preferences of each passenger.
Copa Airlines will also be deploying the aircraft powered configuration of Everhub, which includes integration with a number of discrete signals from the aircraft to enable more automation and minimise crew interaction (for example automatic playback pause for passenger announcements, fasten seat belt messages and establishing connectivity when on the ground).
Speaking about the new partnership, Philip McCarthy, Commercial Director of Inflight Dublin, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Copa Airlines and bring our Everhub™ solution to its 737 fleet. This partnership underlines our commitment to delivering cutting-edge in-flight entertainment solutions that enhance the passenger experience. We look forward to working closely with Copa Airlines to provide their passengers with an unparalleled inflight experience.”
Copa Airlines, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, operates one of the most modern fleets in the region and is renowned for its excellent service and punctuality. By implementing the Everhub™ wireless IFE solution, Copa Airlines aims to further elevate its in-flight offering, providing passengers with high-quality entertainment options and a more enjoyable travel experience.
Diana Mizrachi, Senior Director Customer Experience of Copa Airlines, commented, “At Copa Airlines, we are dedicated to improving the travel experience for our passengers. Partnering with Inflight Dublin to introduce the Everhub™ wireless IFE solution is a testament to our commitment to excellence. We are excited to offer our passengers this enhanced entertainment option, ensuring a more enjoyable and memorable journey.”
The rollout of the Everhub™ wireless IFE solution on Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737 fleet commenced in July 24 with an ambitious schedule to install across a further 60 aircraft by the end of 2025. Inflight Dublin will provide comprehensive support and training throughout the installation to ensure optimal performance of the new system.
About Inflight Dublin
Inflight Dublin is a leading provider of in-flight entertainment solutions and wireless services to the aviation industry. With over 40 years of experience, Inflight Dublin offers a wide range of innovative products and services designed to enhance the passenger experience and drive airline revenue.
About Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, is a leading airline in passengers and cargo in Latin America. In its 76 years of operation, it has established the Hub of the Americas® in Panama City as the continent’s premier connections center. With a very modern fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Copa Airlines serves countries in North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean. The airline consistently achieves top on-time performance results in the continent and among the best in the world. Copa Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, the world’s most relevant airline network, and offers the ConnectMiles frequent traveller program, allowing accumulation and redemption of miles across more than 25 airlines worldwide. To plan your trip, purchase tickets and manage reservations, use Web Check-in, and find information on travel policies and requirements, please visit www.copa.com.
Inflight Dublin Expands Partnership with MIAT Mongolian Airlines to Include Seatback Content Services
Dublin, Ireland – October 2, 2024 – Inflight Dublin, a leading provider of in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions, is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership with MIAT Mongolian Airlines. Building on the success of providing wireless streaming solutions through Everhub, Inflight Dublin will now also deliver comprehensive content services for MIAT’s Panasonic seatback entertainment system, reflecting a significant step forward in a long-standing relationship.
This expansion marks a significant enhancement in MIAT Mongolian Airlines’ in-flight entertainment offerings, providing passengers with a broader range of high-quality content accessible directly from its seatback screens.
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with MIAT Mongolian Airlines,” said Barry Flynn, COO of Inflight Dublin. “Our initial partnership, focused on wireless streaming across the 737 fleet, which has been immensely successful. We are excited to now bring our extensive content library and industry expertise to MIAT’s wider fleet, further enhancing the in-flight experience for their passengers.”
The extended partnership ensures that MIAT’s passengers will enjoy an enriched flying experience that is consistent across the fleet, with access to the latest movies, TV shows, music, and other engaging content. The diverse content portfolio is meticulously curated to cater to the varied preferences of passengers, enhancing their in-flight experience and satisfaction.
“Partnering with Inflight Dublin to upgrade our seatback entertainment is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing the best possible travel experience for our passengers,” said Tsegmid BALDANDORJ, Head of Service Quality and Standards Department of MIAT Mongolian Airlines. “We are confident that this expanded partnership will offer our passengers a seamless experience onboard, regardless of the aircraft they fly, which will make their journey with us even more enjoyable and rememberable”.
Inflight Dublin has a strong track record of delivering top-tier IFE solutions, with a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. This extended partnership with MIAT Mongolian Airlines is a testament to Inflight Dublin’s capability to meet the evolving and diverse needs of the airline industry and its passengers.
For more information about Inflight Dublin’s comprehensive range of IFE services, visit our website.
About Inflight Dublin
Inflight Dublin is a leading provider of in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions. With a focus on innovation and quality, we offer a wide range of services including content provision, wireless streaming, and more. Our solutions are designed to enhance the passenger experience, providing airlines with the tools to deliver exceptional in-flight entertainment.
About MIAT Mongolian Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines is the national airline of Mongolia, offering international and domestic flights. With a commitment to safety, comfort, and quality service, MIAT aims to provide an exceptional travel experience for its passengers.
Behind the Scenes of In-Flight Entertainment: A Deep Dive with Implementation Manager Honey Gugale
In an exclusive interview, Honey Gugale, Implementation Manager, shares insights into the intricate process of integrating content into in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems. From content curation to quality assurance and final deployment, Honey discusses the steps taken to ensure passengers have access to a seamless and immersive entertainment experience during their flights.
“Ensuring compatibility is critical, and we take this very seriously. Every piece of content undergoes rigorous testing to catch and resolve any potential issues before it’s deployed, ensuring it performs flawlessly in the air.”
— Honey Gugale, Implementation Manager
1. Content Integration Process
Q: Honey, can you describe the process of integrating content into the in-flight entertainment system? What steps are involved from receiving content to making it available on flights?
Honey Gugale: The integration process is quite comprehensive and involves multiple teams working in close coordination. It all starts with our Content Team, which receives and curates content from studios and clients. The Video Team then takes over, encoding the content to ensure it meets the specific technical requirements of our IFE systems. Next, our Metadata Team provides the necessary images and descriptions, which play a crucial role in enhancing the user experience.
Following this, the Development Team steps in to deliver the required software tailored to the client’s specifications. The Design Team also plays a significant role by creating client-specific designs that align with the airline’s branding. Finally, my team, the Implementation Team, integrates all these components to ensure everything functions smoothly. Once everything is in place, the Logistics Team ships the SSDs or servers containing the completed content to the client, ready for deployment on flights.
Q: How do you ensure that the content formats—video, audio, and text—are compatible with the in-flight systems?
Honey Gugale: Ensuring compatibility is critical, and we take this very seriously. Every piece of content undergoes rigorous rack testing, which simulates the actual in-flight entertainment system environment. This allows us to catch and resolve any potential issues before the content is deployed, ensuring that it performs flawlessly in the air.
2. Quality Control and Testing
Q: What measures are in place to ensure that all content is of the highest quality before it is deployed on flights?
Honey Gugale: We have a robust quality control framework in place, which involves several key measures:
- Rigorous Quality Control: Every piece of content—whether video, audio, or text—undergoes comprehensive quality checks. This includes encoding verification, format validation, and a thorough content review to ensure it meets our high standards.
- Rack Testing: Content is subjected to rack testing, where we test it in an environment that closely mirrors the actual in-flight entertainment system. This is crucial for ensuring compatibility and optimal performance under real-world conditions.
- Metadata Verification: We carefully verify all metadata, including images and descriptions, to ensure accuracy and alignment with the content, which enhances the overall user experience.
- Collaboration Across Teams: Our teams—content, video, metadata, and design—work closely together to ensure that all aspects of the content are aligned, consistent, and of the highest quality.
- Client-Specific Customization: We also customize designs and software to meet the specific needs and branding of each airline, ensuring that the content not only meets quality standards but also reflects the airline’s unique identity.
Q: How do you test the content to ensure it functions correctly across different devices and in various environments?
Honey Gugale: We take a comprehensive approach to testing to ensure content performs well across all devices and environments:
- Cross-Device Compatibility Testing: We test the content on a variety of devices, including tablets, smartphones, and different IFE systems, to ensure consistent performance across all platforms.
- Environmental Simulation: We create testing environments that simulate the various conditions the content might encounter, such as different network speeds, screen sizes, and operating systems. This helps us identify and address any potential issues that could affect playback or user experience.
- Rack Testing: As I mentioned earlier, rack testing is a key part of our process. It allows us to evaluate content on systems that closely replicate the actual hardware and software configurations used in-flight.
- Stress and Load Testing: We also conduct stress tests to evaluate how content performs under heavy usage or in scenarios with multiple simultaneous users. This ensures the content remains stable and functional, even under high demand.
- User Experience Testing: Finally, we conduct real-world testing with actual users in different environments. This helps us gather feedback on functionality and performance, allowing us to make any necessary adjustments before final deployment.
3. Content Updates and Refreshes
Q: How frequently is the content updated on the in-flight systems, and what drives the need for these updates?
Honey Gugale: The frequency of content updates varies depending on the airline, but it’s typically done on a monthly or quarterly basis. Several factors drive these updates:
- New Content Releases: We update the systems regularly to add new movies, TV shows, music, and other entertainment options, keeping the in-flight experience fresh and engaging for passengers.
- Content Licensing Agreements: The expiration or renewal of licensing agreements often necessitates updates, either to remove expired content or to introduce newly licensed material.
- Passenger Feedback and Preferences: We analyze passenger feedback and usage data to identify popular content and introduce new selections that align with passenger preferences and demographics.
- Technological Advancements: Updates may be required to ensure compatibility with new devices, formats, or in-flight system upgrades, such as improvements in screen resolution, audio quality, or interactive features.
- Seasonal and Thematic Changes: We also update content based on seasonal events, holidays, or specific themes to ensure that entertainment options are relevant and timely.
- System Enhancements: Finally, updates are necessary when new software features or system enhancements are rolled out, requiring content to be re-encoded or adjusted to meet new technical specifications.
Q: Can you explain the process of rolling out new content across an airline’s fleet? How do you coordinate these updates with the airline’s schedules?
Honey Gugale: Rolling out new content across an airline’s fleet is a complex process that requires careful coordination. Here’s how we do it:
- Content Preparation and Encoding: Once new content is selected, it undergoes encoding and formatting to meet the technical specifications of the airline’s IFE systems. This includes video, audio, and metadata preparation.
- Quality Assurance and Testing: Before deployment, the content is subjected to rigorous quality assurance testing, including compatibility checks and rack testing in simulated environments, to ensure it will function properly across all in-flight systems.
- Logistical Coordination: The content is then loaded onto SSDs, hard drives, or servers, which are prepared for distribution. Our Logistics Team coordinates with the airline to schedule the physical delivery of these drives to various locations, ensuring alignment with aircraft availability and maintenance schedules.
- Monitoring and Support: Following the rollout, we closely monitor content and system performance, addressing any issues promptly and providing ongoing support to ensure a smooth experience for passengers.
As the demand for more immersive and diverse in-flight entertainment grows, Honey Gugale and the implementation team continue to innovate, ensuring that passengers enjoy a seamless, high-quality entertainment experience that meets the evolving needs of the airline industry.
Inflight Dublin extends partnership with Condor
Dublin, Ireland, 22 May 2024 – Inflight Dublin, a leading provider of inflight entertainment solutions, is pleased to announce a multi-year contract renewal with Condor, Germany’s leading leisure airline known for its exceptional service and commitment to passenger satisfaction. This agreement extends the ongoing successful partnership between the two companies exceeding 10 years, ensuring Condor passengers continue to enjoy exceptional onboard experiences.
“We are extremely proud to extend our longstanding partnership with Condor,” said Phil McCarthy, Commercial Director of Inflight Dublin. “We have accomplished quite a lot together over the past 10 years and look forward to this next chapter with excitement. Working with a team that has innovation and passion at its core aligns perfectly with our values, and we remain committed to working closely with the Condor team in the evolution of the IFE product.”
Building upon an already robust relationship, Condor will continue to leverage Inflight Dublin’s end-to-end service offering and collaborate closely to provide passengers a tailored selection of high-quality content. Inflight Dublin’s unique ability to provide everything under one roof will also enable Condor to synergise the onboard experience across the fleet of new and existing aircraft, through content, hardware and software solutions.
Janina Kratz, Product Manager Inflight Entertainment of Condor Airlines
The extended partnership reinforces both companies’ shared vision of delivering excellence in inflight entertainment.
About Condor:
As Germany’s most popular leisure airline, Condor has been taking its guests to the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations since 1956 – from Germany and Zurich as well as Basel in Switzerland to around 90 destinations all around the world. Condor operates a fleet of over 50 aircraft, which are maintained by the company’s own maintenance operation, Condor Technik GmbH, according to the highest safety standards at the Frankfurt and Dusseldorf locations.
About Inflight Dublin:
Inflight Dublin is a leading provider of inflight entertainment solutions, offering customisable content, digital advertising, and software services to airlines worldwide. The company has been delivering innovative solutions for over 30 years and has a reputation for excellence in the inflight entertainment industry. For more information visit www.inflightdublin.com.
SriLankan Airlines extends contract with Inflight Dublin for another 3 Years
Inflight Dublin, a leading provider of inflight entertainment solutions, is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership with SriLankan Airlines for another three years. The decision was made after a comprehensive review of Inflight Dublin’s performance and the quality of its services.
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has been a valued partner of Inflight Dublin for several years. The airline has always been committed to delivering the best possible inflight experience to their passengers, and Inflight Dublin’s innovative inflight entertainment solutions have been a key component of this commitment.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with SriLankan Airlines,” said Barry Flynn, COO of Inflight Dublin. “We are proud of the exceptional service we have provided to SriLankan Airlines, and we look forward to continuing to work together to deliver a world-class inflight entertainment experience to its passengers.”
Maria Sathasivam, Manager Product Development of SriLankan Airlines
Inflight Dublin has been instrumental in delivering the latest and greatest inflight entertainment content to SriLankan Airlines’ passengers, offering a wide range of movies, TV shows, and music. The company’s innovative and customisable solutions have allowed SriLankan Airlines to offer a truly personalised inflight entertainment experience to its passengers.
“We are excited to extend our partnership with Inflight Dublin,” said Maria Sathasivam, Manager Product Development of SriLankan Airlines. “Their inflight entertainment solutions have consistently met and exceeded our passengers’ expectations, and we are confident that this partnership will continue to deliver outstanding results.”
The extended partnership will ensure that SriLankan Airlines’ passengers continue to enjoy a superior inflight entertainment experience that will help make their travels more enjoyable.
About SriLankan Airlines:
SriLankan Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka, operating flights to over 110 destinations in 58 countries around the world. The airline has a strong reputation for providing excellent service and is committed to delivering a seamless travel experience to its passengers.
For more information visit www.srilankan.com
About Inflight Dublin:
Inflight Dublin is a leading provider of inflight entertainment solutions, offering customisable content, digital advertising, and software services to airlines worldwide. The company has been delivering innovative solutions for over 30 years and has a reputation for excellence in the inflight entertainment industry.
For more information visit www.inflightdublin.com
Inflight Dublin chosen by MGA to provide IFE Content & Wireless services
M. Abdullah Çitçi – General Manager – Mavi Gök Airlines (MGA)
This 3 year-contract will see Inflight Dublin (IFD) service MGA’s B777s with content licensing, metadata, and audio-visual post production services for their seatback IFE system.
In addition, one of MGA’s B737 aircraft will be equipped with Everhub™, the most robust wireless IFE solution in the market. Everhub™ enables passengers to stream media through their own smartphones, tablets or laptops. With a single Everhub™ server, a B737 full of MGA passengers will have access to a tailored content and games package on an interactive user interface that is aligned with MGA’s brand.
“Inflight Dublin is delighted that MGA has chosen us to be their content and wireless provider. Being their single point of contact for both service lines will ensure smooth communications and enhanced operational efficiencies. Moving forward, our goal is to expand the content offering for seat-back, and feature set on Everhub™, so that MGA passengers continue to have an enjoyable and seamless entertainment experience no matter what MGA flight they are on.”– Barry Flynn – Chief Operating Officer – Inflight Dublin
ABOUT INFLIGHT DUBLIN
We are a leading global provider of inflight entertainment solutions for both wireless and seat-back systems. Established in 1984, we combine CSP expertise with state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions. With full access to early window Hollywood content, a fully-fledged design department, and one of the most comprehensive end-to-end wireless IFE platforms, Everhub™, featuring our DO-160G certified next-generation hardware, we cater to each airlines’ tailored needs with every aspect of our products and services provided in-house.
Inflight Dublin adds FlightPath3D to its suite of Partner apps to Deliver Enhanced Moving Map to Growing Wireless IFE Marketplace
Inflight Dublin adds FlightPath3D interactive moving map to its suite of Partner apps to Inflight Dublin’s award-winning Everhub wireless platform. Inflight Dublin will offer FlightPath3D’s product as an option to clients.
David Miller, Inflight Dublin’s CTO
Duncan Jackson, President of FlightPath3D
The integrated product is already being offered to mutual clients of both companies, in particular airlines that have selected Inflight Dublin’s Everhub wireless platform for their fleet. The first confirmed joint client is Sunclass Airlines.
About Inflight Dublin: IFD is a leading global provider of inflight entertainment solutions for both wireless and seat-back systems. Established in 1984, IFD combines CSP expertise with state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions. With full access to early window Hollywood content, a fully-fledged design department, and one of the most comprehensive end-to-end wireless IFE platforms, Everhub™, IFD caters to each airlines’ tailored needs.
About FlightPath3D: The Aviation Industry’s #1 Map Provider. Run your map with the map software experts, building software that’s integrated with ALL the leading IFE vendors. Any Device. Any Platform. Fast Set-Up. Integrated. Personalized. Selected by more than 70 airlines in just 7 years.
FlightPath3D has designed the most compelling and innovative interactive travel solution for both passengers and airlines. With augmented views and relevant flight information, the inflight journey is captivating. A smart, immersive travel guide and route map enables passengers to explore in-destination experiences and inspires them to discover places to visit and research flights. Through their actions, searches, and map interactions, passengers provide airlines and airports with the knowledge of what interests them most about a location and what future destinations excite them for loyalty and strategic planning.
Betria Interactive LLC (dba FlightPath3D) has the industry’s largest specialized map team providing customized map software, application development, and maintenance. For additional information, please visit http://www.FlightPath3D.com or contact crew@flightpath3d.com.
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Inflight Dublin signs 3-year partnership with MIAT Mongolian Airlines
Inflight Dublin has been selected by MIAT Mongolian Airlines to provide inflight entertainment (IFE) Content and Wireless solutions.
Inflight Dublin will be deploying its Wireless IFE solution, Everhub™, on four of MIAT’s aircraft including three B737’s and one B767. The DO-160G certified hardware will be complemented by the Everhub™ browser-based software which features a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in both Mongolian and English. MIAT will have access to the back-office Control Centre which enables them to manage aspects of the Hardware, Software, and Content offering as well as update their own advertisements.
Bekhtuvshin Altansukh, MIAT’s Avionic System Engineer
MIAT will also have access to detailed analytics with IFD Insights and manage Duty Free and Food and Beverage orders through the dedicated Crew App.
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Sitting Down With: Rika Argadireja, Metadata Team Lead
Next up in the ‘Sitting Down With’ series is Inflight Dublin’s Metadata Team Lead and expert, Rika Argadireja. She discusses the importance of high-quality metadata in the IFE industry, challenges faced, and predicted trends for the future of IFE metadata. Enjoy!
How much importance is placed upon IFE metadata when it comes to working with airline clients?
Metadata management for inflight entertainment is essential – without good metadata, content may never be chosen to watch! Any data that we put onboard will be seen by the client and most importantly, their passengers, so it is a core selling tool to entice passengers to view the content. At Inflight Dublin, we ensure that any information, synopsis, or images we provide are of the highest quality and are age and culture appropriate based on the airline’s requirements. Furthermore, we do a number of internal quality checks before signing off the metadata to be delivered to the airline.
What are the main challenges the Metadata team faces each cycle and how do you tackle them?
No two days are the same in the metadata department. We face a range of challenges during every update, from managing strict overlapping deadlines during busier months, to having to edit the content images we’re putting onboard so they’re SFW (safe for work). Fortunately, we can rely on our ever-improving time management and task planning, and there’s nothing a little Photoshop magic can’t solve!
Is there any unique processes or methods that IFD uses to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely metadata?
To ensure complete accuracy, we do thorough quality control for every airline client. Once we’ve completed the metadata entry on the integrator’s documents or portals, we would manually check the information we’ve uploaded, make any necessary changes, and double-check again after any corrections have been made. We also work with other internal departments in Inflight Dublin, such as the Account Management department, to do final metadata checks before signing off.
And to deliver metadata in a timely manner, we meticulously record and track all the deadlines we have for the month in our internal system. The Metadata team also work very closely together and keep a constant communication stream open to work as efficiently as possible – in some instances where there are tight deadlines, the team will work collaboratively with tasks so deadlines are always met without any delay.
Do you predict any changes or trends in the future of metadata in terms of what passengers expect or want to see on their seatback screens or personal devices?
Another responsibility of the Metadata team is the managing of our clients’ microsites. These have become even more popular to have as it allows airlines to provide an up-to-date and interactive content catalogue to excite their passengers before their flight and encourage engagement with the system.
The popularity of Wireless Inflight Entertainment systems is also growing rapidly. These require additional Metadata requirements that Inflight Dublin has extensive experience with, particularly with our own wireless IFE system, Everhub. I think passengers are starting to expect multiple ways to view and learn about the content on board, such as they do at home. This will result in more thought going into how the content and metadata is displayed and accessed by passengers to give them the most immersive and enjoyable inflight entertainment experience.
Want to learn more about Inflight Dublin’s services? Get in touch mail@inflightdublin.com