Panasonic Avionics have scored a couple of wins today at the APEX Expo with the airline picking up installation orders from EgyptAir and Uzbekistan Airways.
Panasonic IFE System as deployed on a Lufthansa plane – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Let’s look at EgyptAir first, which covers installation of hardware, connectivity and Media services. This will be installed on a the upcoming A320neo fleet – 15 installs in total.
The Airbus A320neo family will enter service with EgyptAir in 2020 with the equipment line-fitted from the factory..
Looking into the purchase, the airline has signed up for a lot, with
- 13-inch HD personal screens in Business Class complete with a video handset and high-power charging facilities at every seat.
- 10-inch HD screens in Economy Class incorporating a USB power point, with charging facilities at each seat group.
- Connectivity using the Panasonic Inflight Wi-Fi service, using a new modem to provide more bandwidth to the plane (and thus video streaming).
- Use of the OneMedia platform (provided by Panasonic) which will enable it to target on-board advertising campaigns by categories including seat class, flight destination, origin city, content categories, and languages.
Uzbekistan Airways will have solutions installed for three Boeing 787-8 and two Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline has selected the Panasonic’s X Series IFEC system, along with a suite of connectivity services, with installations to be line-fitted for new aircraft – due to enter service in January 2019. Meanwhile the existing there Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be retrofitted with the kit.
Exact screen sizes have not been disclosed, but a promise of HD screens at seat, and high-power USB charging features are welcome. In-flight retail will also be blended into the product, as well as connectivity to the Panasonic In-flight WiFi system.
Live TV Services will also be integrated into the Wi-Fi system, allowing access to Sport 24, Sport 24 Extra, CNN International; Euronews, CNBC, NHK, Sky News Arabia and BBC World News.
The new modem and connectivity solutions are an integral part of Panasonic’s global communications network, which uses advanced satellites to cover all high air traffic areas across the globe with high throughput and extreme throughput spot beams.
On the sales, Hideo Nakano, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said
“Today’s announcement deepens our longstanding partnership with EGYPTAIR, and follows our agreement with this valued customer earlier this year to provide IFEC solutions for its new wide-body fleet.
“The solutions selected by EGYPTAIR for their new A320neos will enhance their inflight offering, and ensure their passengers are both entertained and connected inflight.”
“Uzbekistan Airways is a longstanding and highly valued customer, and we are delighted to be their partner of choice for inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions on their new fleet.”
Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman, and CEO, EGYPTAIR, stated
“Panasonic Avionics is our partner of choice for IFEC solutions and, working with them, we are changing the way our passengers experience air travel. This latest extension of our partnership marks our commitment to creating memorable inflight experiences.”
With the race to connectivity continuing, seeing airlines deploy an integrated suite of products along with high-speed internet connectivity is a welcome thing to see.
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