Installing a new inflight connectivity solution presents an opportunity for innovation. And, somewhat counterintuitively, occasionally limitations on how airlines interact with their passengers. The Starlink system from SpaceX comes with rules about pricing and passenger engagement. As Qatar Airways looks towards its Starlink implementation (announced last October), the portal question remains a significant one.
Catch-and-release portal option
Starlink has been very clear that it does not want to see a capture portal sit between passengers and its connection. But that is not quite an absolute rule. The company does allow a splash page – more of a catch-and-release rather than a capture – as part of its standard contract. Might that be enough to satisfy the needs of Qatar Airways?
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Speaking at APEX TECH in Los Angeles last month, Xia Cai, SVP of Product Development and Design, was clear that the company would sort that out as it works through the Starlink onboarding process. But she was also pretty clear that some sort of connection with customers on board is a key component of Qatar Airways’ plan:
You need to have a portal at some point… You want to be able to just connect seamlessly but [a portal is necessary] for all the other things that you’re trying to offer to the customer. So, we are working on that. I cannot get into too much detail, but are we going to have a portal [with Starlink]? Most likely… You have to have an entry point, you have to have a jumping point. Because you’re connecting with the [airline or third party] brands.
Ultimately, however, the portal question for Qatar Airways comes down to just what type of engagement is desired. Cai continued, “There has to be a connection. Is it a transient connection? Or is it actually some something that you’re going to build to create an experience which Delta has done really well on their Sync platform? How do you engage [with passengers]?”
Read more: Hawaiian delivers nearly flawless in-flight internet with Starlink
Smartly, she declined to answer any of those questions at this time. The airline still has some work to do in figuring out what the right solution will be.
Moreover, there are some technical challenges still to be sorted with the portal experience. Hawaiian Airlines also has a catch-and-release portal on its Starlink implementation. It is, however, and inconsistent experience adn definitely not a true connection with the consumer.
More about airlines picking Starlink:
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