Bombardier Aerospace Chooses Aircell Connectivity Suites for Select Challenger and Learjet Aircraft

ATLANTA, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention -- Aircell, the world's leading provider of inflight connectivity, announces that Bombardier Aerospace has chosen a suite of Aircell systems as factory options aboard select aircraft from the Learjet* and Challenger* business jet families. Customers can now choose from a full range of Aircell inflight connectivity and communication features including voice, Internet, e-mail and more.

With this announcement, Aircell communications systems are now available as original equipment at every major manufacturer in the business aviation industry. This encompasses nearly 40 factory aircraft programs all over the world.

Bombardier's selection includes a variety of Aircell features, equipment packages and network services available for the respective aircraft:

• Aircell Axxess® Cabin Communications System. Provides multiple channels of global voice and narrowband data service via Iridium Satellite, along with essential, network-neutral cabin infrastructure. Available on Learjet 40* XR*, Learjet 45* XR, Learjet 60* XR, Challenger 300* and Challenger 605* aircraft.
• Aircell's SwiftBroadband Solution. Provides data connectivity for e-mail and light Internet service via the Inmarsat I-4 satellites. Powered by Thrane & Thrane. Available on Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft. Also available on Learjet 45 XR and Learjet 60 XR with integrated voice service.
• Gogo Biz™ Inflight Internet. Provides data connectivity for full-speed Internet service via the Aircell Network in the continental United States. Available on Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft.

Brant Dahlfors, Bombardier Business Aircraft's Vice President, U.S. Sales, said, "In the current business context, being connected is a necessity for the majority of  executives, and customer expectations for airborne connectivity have grown. Our customers use aircraft to increase productivity and efficiency, and they expect a full online experience while they fly. For connectivity in the U.S., Gogo Biz provides exactly what our customers need – it's a full-speed Internet connection like people expect on the ground. For operations outside the U.S., Aircell's SwiftBroadband solution is perfect for global e-mail and light Internet," he concluded.

John Wade, Aircell's Executive Vice President and General Manager, said, "We're pleased to work with Bombardier to bring Aircell products to the Challenger and Learjet aircraft production lines. In many ways, having an airframe manufacturer offer your products as original equipment is the ultimate endorsement. To have that trust extended by every major aircraft manufacturer in business aviation is huge validation of the Aircell brand. We're very grateful and proud to reach a level of such universal acceptance in the market."

Most equipment packages are available on Bombardier aircraft currently being delivered, and the rest will become available as certification programs are completed in the coming weeks.

WAN Management Feature Manages Multiple Networks

When Gogo Biz inflight Internet and Aircell's SwiftBroadband solution are installed aboard the same aircraft, Aircell's integral WAN Management feature allows the aircraft to automatically switch between the two data networks according to the operator's pre-set preferences. This provides a seamless online experience for passengers as the aircraft travels in different regions. A typical configuration is to set Gogo Biz as the aircraft's preferred data network with an automatic default to SwiftBroadband when the aircraft travels outside the continental U.S. Aircell's WAN Management feature emulates how the latest multi-network consumer devices operate on the ground.

Aircell is displaying its complete family of airborne communications systems this week in Booth 3737 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual meeting & convention in Atlanta, GA.

About Aircell

Aircell is the world's leading provider of inflight connectivity and a single-source, turnkey provider of equipment, service, and technical support. With a global sales and support presence, its products are offered by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world's four largest fractional ownership fleets. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary new mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell® Network and its inflight portal, known as Gogo®, revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. The Aircell Network provides airlines with connectivity to operations and a path to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television and more. A similar feature set is available to Business Aircraft operators. Aircell has facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell's vision is to give everyone the ability to stay In Touch, In Flight®. For more information about Aircell, please visit www.aircell.com.

© 2010 Aircell. All rights reserved. Aircell, Aircell Axxess, Gogo, Gogo Biz, and In Touch, In Flight are registered trademarks of Aircell Business Aviation Services LLC or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

* Registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE Aircell