+44 (0)1983 555900 • innovate@ifpl.com

History

Since 1996, we’ve shipped millions of units worldwide and have earned our strong reputation for innovation and reliability. 

We’re proud of our heritage and of each of our team members that has contributed to our success with their talent, dedication, and hard work. IFPL has been leading the way in in-flight entertainment and connectivity products for over a quarter of a century, supplying many of the world’s most prestigious IFEC manufacturers, OEMs, and airlines with our industry-leading products and services.

Our history

1996
IFPL established

Inflight Peripherals Limited (IFPL) is founded by Geoff Underwood. The company begins life as a design consultancy based in Geoff's home.

Geoff identifies an issue of unreliable on-board headphone sockets, designing an alternative that lasts for over twenty times longer than existing products. IFPL's first contract is to supply 300 units - Geoff builds the products in his garage with the help of his family.

1997
Long Life jack developed

Geoff develops IFPL's patented Long Life Audio Jack, with first shipments of the product beginning in 1998.

This revolutionary design is still a core part of many of our other audio products, including the original Long Life Audio Jack, and has been proven in service with many global operators.

2000
Expanding the team

IFPL wins a contract for 10,000 units and Geoff begins to expand the team.

2008
Recognised by the Queen's Awards for Enterprise

IFPL is honoured to receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category of 'International Trade'; a result of demonstrating consistently impressive growth and substantial commercial success overseas.

2012
1,000,000 units supplied

IFPL achieves a major milestone; supplying our one-millionth part.

2014
Second Queen's Award for Enterprise

IFPL again receives the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for ‘International Trade’.

The award is presented by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent as part of a visit to the Isle of Wight:

“I just want to congratulate you on your great success in achieving another Queen’s Award. As you are probably aware, these things are not given away lightly and in fact the list of award winners every year is a very small one. You’re one of a distinguished band of top-class companies who’ve shown the world they can take on anybody. Many congratulations to everyone who works for IFPL.”

2015
The WightAID Foundation

CEO Geoff Underwood establishes The WightAID Foundation, a charitable organisation which channels business donations to local causes. To date, the charity has granted over £380,000 to more than 150 different charities on the Isle of Wight.

2016
The seal of approval

IFPL achieves AS9100 certification. Quality Manager Mike Woodward comments: 

"The entire team at IFPL was committed to seeing this standard met and certification achieved. I am proud of how we all came together as a company and not only embraced the standard, but also fully committed to maintaining it for years to come”.

2016
Twenty years of trading

IFPL celebrates 20 years of trading with the largest portfolio of proven IFEC products and services in the sector by supplying our two-millionth unit to a key OEM - just four years after supplying 1,000,000 units. The two-millionth unit is our Dual Noise-Cancelling Audio Jack. 

IFPL sponsors Michael O’Brien, a top young British motor racing talent, at the Mini Challenge Race in Oulton Park.

2016
1 million parts supplied to Panasonic

IFPL supplies their one-millionth part to Panasonic Avionics and celebrates a fantastic relationship as strategic partners, thriving together since 2004. Mark Jennings and Teruki Hisakawa of Panasonic are presented with the part in a presentation case at our facility on the Isle of Wight. The landmark part is an IFPL Integrated Jack Unit, designed and manufactured in collaboration with Panasonic for integration into their eXLite IFE Eco 9 Monitor. Geoff Underwood commented:

“This is a significant milestone for us at IFPL, reaffirming our relationship and reflecting Panasonics commitment to provide world-class IFEC solutions to the world’s airlines.”

2017
Crystal Cabin award finalists

Our ‘Nexus Integrated Seat Arm’ is shortlisted for a Crystal Cabin Award - the only international awards for excellence in aircraft interior innovation.

2019
3 million units supplied globally

IFPL celebrates supplying 3,000,000 units. The three-millionth unit is a USB-A port with twin reversible outlets, supplied to an industry-leading OEM. COO Neil McGregor comments:

“It is a testament to the whole IFPL team, that we have reached this new milestone so soon after reaching two million units and is a testament to the investment we have made in our quality systems, and our manufacturing and product development capability. This combined with the development and introduction of new products, means that we aim to reach our four-millionth unit even sooner.”

2020
AdPower

IFPL releases AdPower - an innovative way to supply passengers with in-seat power in exchange for in-flight purchase or watching tailored adverts.

2020
Recognition at the Crystal Cabin awards

AdPower and our Bluetooth Audio Jack are both shortlisted for the prestigious Crystal Cabin Awards.

2021
Acquiring Cobalt Aerospace

IFPL acquires Cobalt Aerospace, forming IFPL Group to unite the two companies and expanding our customer offering to include Cobalt Aerospace’s range of lighting, floor path marking and wireless charging products.

2021
The Queen's Award for Enterprise for 'Innovation'

IFPL is awarded our third Queen’s Award for Enterprise, this time in the ‘Innovation’ category. We are recognised for our NFC payment unit; the smallest payment card industry (PCI) approved contactless card reader flying today. Founder and CEO Geoff Underwood says:

“The aviation sector has been through a tough period recently, so being recognised as a company that is consistently working hard to create innovative products that will help operators to recover post-pandemic is a real boost. I’m so proud of the whole IFPL family for this fantastic achievement.”

2021
Twenty-fifth anniversary

IFPL celebrates twenty five years of creating products that deliver an outstanding passenger experience.