TORONTO, Ontario, 20 March 2014. GuestLogix Inc. (TSX:GXI), a provider of onboard retail and payment technology solutions to airlines, entered into an agreement with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:ENT), a full-service provider of content and connectivity to the airline industry, to incorporate its OnTouch Merchandising Platform into Global Eagle Entertainment's inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) portal.
With this agreement, Global Eagle Entertainment's airline customers can now sell destination-based activities, including GuestLogix' OnTouch Ground Connections and OnTouch Box Office for transportation and attraction vouchers via its WiFi IFEC portal. Global Eagle Entertainment's portal is accessible via passengers' WiFi-enabled electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, extending the onboard shopping opportunity throughout the duration of the flight. A joint deployment has already been secured with an airline customer, and GuestLogix is poised to deploy across additional current and prospective Global Eagle Entertainment customers.
"The passenger experience is a major focus for airlines and Global Eagle Entertainment is one of the key players delivering customized solutions to airlines around the world. Allowing passengers to purchase and access items, from movies and television to destination-based activities, using smartphone and tablet devices is a prime example of matching passenger enhancements with ancillary revenue generation," says GuestLogix President & CEO Brett Proud. "Global Eagle Entertainment's powerful inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions are used by some of the leading airlines in the United States and EMEA. As we prepare to deploy onboard our first joint customer, we combine our expertise to support the expansion of this airline's retail program, and look forward to additional joint implementations in the future."
By partnering with GuestLogix, Global Eagle Entertainment is able to deliver an enhanced selection of destination-based merchandise through its passenger portal. Among the products and services passengers will be able to access are airport transfers via OnTouch Ground Connections and passes to local theme parks and attractions through the OnTouch Box Office.
"Our continued ability to deliver innovative and high-value services is important to our airline customers and their passengers, and we are certainly fortunate to join forces with industry leader GuestLogix to further maximize the potential of our industry leading platform," says John LaValle, chief executive officer of Global Eagle Entertainment. "GuestLogix is known for its innovative onboard retail and payment solutions, and through our collaboration, we can provide our customers the ability to sell destination-based merchandise, which can deliver both revenue opportunities and an enhanced passenger experience."
"The omni-channel storefront combines multiple retail touchpoints, empowering self-service retailing and maximizing the generation of ancillary revenues," says Ilia Kostov, EVP Global Sales & Product Strategy. "Global Eagle Entertainment makes self-service retailing a viable option for airlines, and when combined with Flight Attendant service, this multi-pronged approach increases efficiency and passenger satisfaction onboard. We are delighted to partner with Global Eagle Entertainment to assist airlines in creating an omni-channel environment, and in turn, reaching new levels of onboard retailing success."
Global Eagle Entertainment's global customer base includes more than 150 airlines worldwide.
Inflight entertainment images courtesy Shutterstock.
