We’re going to stick with Southwest Airlines this evening, as Astronics confirms they have been contracted to supply the new passenger in-flight power units for their new aircraft.
The new Southwest upgrade product – look to the edge of the seats on the right for the EMPOWER in-seat power outlets – Image, Southwest Airlines
Astronics will be supplying Southwest Airlines with its EMPOWER Passenger In-Seat Power System for installation on 475 Boeing 737 MAX-7 and MAX-8 aircraft.
This award is part of Southwest’s recently announced significant cabin upgrade initiative to enhance the customer experience (and that was spotted by us at Economy Class and Beyond).
The system configuration selected by Southwest Airlines will provide 60W Type-C and 10.5W Type-A USB charging ports at every passenger seat. This will allow passengers to power and charge two devices simultaneously, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and other Portable Electronic Devices (PED).
The new in-seat power outlet – covering USB-C and USB-A – Image, Astronics.
In Quotes
Tony Roach, Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations at Southwest Airlines said:
“Our goal was to ensure that, when we took the leap into the in-seat power market, we provided our Customers with the latest and greatest cabin power system,”
“Astronics was the clear choice, with their latest-generation system providing USB A and USB C power ports on every seat in the aircraft, in a space-saving system architecture that does not compromise legroom.”
Aaron Clarke, Vice President of Cabin Electronics at Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems added:
“Southwest Airlines and Astronics both share a Customer-centric strategic vision which includes a desire to collaborate and a willingness to invest in products and services that improve the flying experience,”
“We’re excited our newest system architecture hit the mark with Southwest, and we are excited to be part of the great experience Southwest is bringing to their passengers.”
Deployment coming soon
Astronics will begin delivering in the fourth quarter of 2022 for retrofit installations on Southwest Airlines’ existing MAX-8 fleet which will begin in early 2023.
Meanwhile, The Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification group has been selected to provide the installation design, STC certification and installation kits for the retrofit. Deliveries to Boeing for the installation on new aircraft on the production line will begin in 2023.
High powered USB-C outlets are here to stay
USB-C power delivery has been making inroads for some years (with Apple making major strides when they delivered the MacBook in 2015), with the industry following along, to the point where the European Union is to adopt the standard for personal electronic devices).
During the laptops I’ve reviewed over the past couple of years, every one of them can be charged over USB-C, showing its penetration into the market.
The deployment of USB-C as a charging standard on aircraft is something that’s going to become more visible, as airlines seek to renew their charging options over the next few years, with a decision to deploy a three-pin outlet and USB-A or go USB-C and A.
With the direction of travel of devices heading further towards USB-C, the smaller compact options could be very tempting to airlines to reduce bulky adaptors blocked exits or seats, whilst reducing the footprint of offering in the seat.
For Southwest passengers, having both USB-C and A will allow them to charge their phones, as well as charge their computers – all with two simple cables.
That’s something to be welcomed.
It’s coming up to Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg! Economy Class and Beyond will be on the ground, covering the latest news, product release and updates, interviews, as well as our mixture of in-depth coverage, research, as well as humour and madness.
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