Vietnam Airlines selects AirFi to provide wireless IFE

Vietnam Airlines has signed a two-year deal with AirFi, wherein the airline technology provider will equip 37 of the carrier’s Airbus A321 aircraft with wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) and enable in-seat ordering for passengers.  

The aircraft, which previously had no IFE offering onboard, will each be outfitted with a set of portable AirFi boxes, allowing passengers to stream content directly to their personal electronic devices. An in-seat ordering function enabled by AirFi, which can be used to purchase hot and cold food, beverages, and duty-free items, will replace the airline’s existing trolley service. Passengers will also have the option to pay for certain duty-free items to be delivered to their homes after their trip.  

The rollout has commenced and is scheduled for completion by mid-October when the solution is expected to go live. Once operational, the logistics surrounding the new technology will be managed by Vietnam Airlines at three airport bases: Hanoi (HAN), Saigon (SGN) and Da Nang Int’l (DAD). 

This move toward streaming IFE with a robust selection of content will harmonise the passenger experience across Vietnam Airlines’ aircraft, as the flag carrier’s international fleet of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft, as well as some of its Airbus A321s, are already furnished with embedded IFE systems from Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Thales.