Safran has been adding its pre APEX Expo orders – with them adding Lufthansa and All Nippon Airways (ANA) as customers for Zodiac RAVE ULTRA IFE system.
For the Lufthansa installation, this will be for their upcoming Boeing 777-9 fleet, which has 34 orders currently. Meanwhile, for the ANA order, the RAVE Ultra system will be installed on 11 their existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
Safran Zodiac RAVE Ultra – Image, SAFRAN
In terms of implementation, The Lufthansa implementation will use four different screen sizes – up to 27″ displays, and all with touch screens. In addition, all passengers will have the ability to connect their own personal Bluetooth headsets and pair their own devices with RAVE’s Second Screen application.
Meanwhile, the two-class retrofit for ANA will have First/Business Class seats upgraded to a 15.6″ screen, and Economy seats will have a 13.3″ display.
RAVE ULTRA promises up to 4K delivery of content on various screen sizes. This is paired with a slim design that is weight-optimised, and connected using GX Aviation Connectivity.
ANA is a Zodiac RAVE customer – and is currently flying the system on their Airbus A320neo, A321neo and Airbus A380 aircraft.
In quotes
On the Lufthansa order, Larry Girard, Safran Passenger Innovations CCO said:
“It’s an honor to work with a high caliber airline such as Lufthansa. Our Safran Passenger Innovations team loves taking on bigger challenges to customize our products and enhance the passenger experience. Our technology leadership supports the airline’s strategic goals and helps deliver the ultimate passenger in-flight entertainment and connectivity experience,”
Floris Reimbold, Head of IFEC Technology of Lufthansa Group added
“Safran Passenger Innovations continues to set the bar for large entertainment viewing and passenger enjoyment in flight. The innovation they offer demonstrates Lufthansa’s aim for modern and comfortable cabins, perfect service and a positive experience in-flight. RAVE ULTRA complements Lufthansa’s strategic direction to deliver each passenger a quality, innovative experience on-board,”
On the ANA order Matt Smith, Safran Passenger Innovations CEO said
“Our Safran Passenger Innovations team appreciates the wonderful partnership we have with ANA. It is an honor and pleasure to support ANA’s focus on the best in-flight experiences with RAVE. The system is operating reliably on the Airbus A320neo/A321neo and A380 fleets and we look forward to offering the same reliability to ANA’s future B787 flights,”
Entry into service will vary, with the Lufthansa RAVE install being line-fitted. The ANA Retrofit will begin in 2021 and roll through to 2022.
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