Airfree

Airfree is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider specializing in the air travel industry, offering a digital marketplace to replace traditional inflight retail. Founded in 2016 by Etienne de Verdelhan and Agnès Debains, who bring a strong background in omnichannel commerce, IT, and retail transformation, the company aimed to elevate the passenger shopping experience to modern digital standards. In October 2024, Airfree was acquired by Moment, an inflight digital technology supplier, to enhance its e-commerce offerings and accelerate the digitalization of onboard services.

The company's core business revolves around providing airlines with an e-commerce platform that allows passengers to shop from a large catalog of products and services directly from their seat-back screens or personal devices. This platform serves as a crucial tool for airlines to generate ancillary revenue. Airfree operates on a B2B SaaS model, charging airlines for access to its customizable, white-label marketplace solution. The business has secured key partnerships with major airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, for both its e-shopping and e-Menu solutions, and is connected to over 350 duty-free stores globally.

Airfree's key product is a patented, semi-embedded e-commerce platform designed for the unique environment of an aircraft cabin. A significant feature is its ability to host updated content on the plane's servers before each flight, which drastically reduces the need for expensive and often unreliable satellite bandwidth. The technology claims to use 100 times less satellite bandwidth compared to standard web stores, as live connectivity is only required during the final checkout phase. This ensures a fast and smooth browsing experience for passengers. The platform offers a wide range of products and services, including duty-free items, meal ordering through a digital e-Menu, seat upgrades, and destination services. Passengers benefit from flexible delivery options, including at the airport, at home, or on a connecting flight.

Keywords: inflight e-commerce, ancillary revenue, passenger experience, travel retail, SaaS, onboard shopping, digital marketplace, aviation technology, duty-free, airline software, cabin services, seatback shopping, connected aircraft, inflight connectivity, omnichannel retail, e-Menu, travel tech, inflight entertainment, airline solutions