AirFi has launched AirFunnl, a new media delivery stack for wireless in-flight entertainment, aimed at cutting file sizes, speeding content refresh cycles and improving playback on passenger devices. Built for airline and content service provider deployments, the system uses AI-enhanced DRM encoding, adaptive bitrate streaming and CMAF packaging to reduce average file sizes by up to 45%.
The platform is designed to lower cellular ground data transfer costs for AirFi-installed operations and to simplify deployment of streaming content across aircraft. CMAF allows a single set of fragmented MP4 files to support both HLS and DASH workflows, which AirFi says makes integration into third-party CSP environments easier.
Marco Dorjee, vice-president for IFE and LEO operations, said the product gives airlines smaller files, faster refresh and smooth playback on personal devices, and that AirFi has essentially halved the file weight being sent to aircraft. The launch adds a content optimisation layer to AirFi’s wireless IFE architecture at a time when airlines are seeking lower bandwidth use and more efficient content turnover.