North American airline Wi-Fi provider Aircell changed its name to Gogo and is testing a new in-flight entertainment platform with Delta Air Lines as the presumed launch partner.
And, American Airlines is currently participating in a beta test of the streaming video portion of the new multimedia platform.
Aircell currently provides Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi services in more than 1,100 aircraft for domestic flights in the U.S., and the Illinois-based company rebranded to Gogo, with a new logo, in a bid to branch out beyond Wi-Fi and into the in-flight entertainment realm.
The new platform, when it is fully developed, would offer streaming video, TV, gaming, ecommerce, flight information and social networking, officials say.
In the ecommerce realm, Gogo has partnerships with Gilt Groupe for designer fashion labels and services, and OpenTable for restaurant reservations.
In a conference call today about the new platform and company rebranding, CEO Michael Small explained that users would be able to use the platform to learn the flight's arrival gate number, access weather information, get help with missing baggage, order some food, book a restaurant, and rent a car.
"We want to make us [Gogo] everyone's favorite part of flying," Small said.
On the streaming video front, Gogo says it has partnerships in place "with major Hollywood studios and will feature recently release movies and TV shows."
With the new offerings, Gogo hopes to expand its base beyond business travelers to consumers throughout the aircraft.
It also is telling airlines that they can customize the platform so it can "exude the airline brand," says Neils Steenstrup, vice president of product.
Gogo's airline customers include AirTran, Delta, Virgin America, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.
American Airlines currently is testing the new streaming video service and it is slated to be launched next month, Gogo officials say.
The platform itself will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2011 on Delta flights and will be rolled out with Gogo's other airline partners by the end of the first quarter of 2012, officials say.
Gogo worked with design firm IDEO to design and develop the new platform.
Gogo will retain the Aircell name in its business aviation activities.