INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
To celebrate our 50th issue, this edition brings the launch of a regular new section within OnBoard Hospitality – dedicated to Inflight Entertainment.
Technology has become ever more important to the consumer in recent years and its role onboard has become ever more critical. In recognition of
this we have now appointed Alex Rogers to develop our Inflight Entertainment section in the magazine alongside our IFE specialist, Sally Gethin of Gethin's Inflight. Alex is gadget-mad, loves innovation and
all kinds of technology and is standing by to hear all your latest IFE news. A regular jet-setter, Alex never fails to spend the first hour of every flight exploring the gadgetry within his seat, so flag up your latest innovations and he’ll be happy to check them out and spread the word. Alex speaks fluent Italian and spent the
last four years working for a tour operator specialising in Sicily. Now he’s swapped heli-tours over Etna for headphones and connectivity, PEDS, iPads, handheld devices and on-demand content. Says Alex: “This is a very exciting time
for the Inflight Entertainment sector. The market is evolving so quickly with game- changing technology regularly breaking new ground. I am really looking forward to developing this section of the magazine, learning about new products and getting a debate going on where all this technology is taking us. Do get in touch.” Alex will be out and about with the Onboard Hospitality team at Aircraft Interiors. Do contact him in advance to make an appointment for him to visit your stand on email:
alex.rogers@onboardhospitality. com
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www.onboardhospitality.com
Thales update by Sally Gethin of Gethin’s Inflight News
Thales is looking forward to a strong 2012. A substantial installation on Qatar Airways launches in 2012 covering the A350 (80 aircraft) and the B787 (30 aircraft with 30 options) integrated with Swift broadband connectivity for Wi-Fi and GSM services. The Doha-based airline’s new B787s will be fitted with the TopSeries System and the Touch Passenger Media Unit (TouchPMU) which won a Crystal Cabin Award (CCA) last year. Touch screen displays will range in size from
10.6 inch to 17 inch. PEDS can be plugged into the TopSeries system so passengers can enjoy their own content on the IFE in-seat screens. 3D audio will have the effect of high fidelity surround sound. The new TouchPMU handheld device enables passengers to access a wide variety of applications while watching a movie or other programme on the in-seat display. Thales has also made the shortlist for the
2012 CCA with its Smart Video Display Unit with Gesture Control capability. The first two launch airlines this year for the B787 with the TopSeries will be Japan Airlines and Air India. Thales is also preparing to introduce TopSeries AVANT on Qatar’s A350 fleet. The platform is a highly scaleable embedded system for all size airlines. It is also forging ahead with building its apps library and has launched a new website targeting developers at
www.elevateyourapps.com. A trial of a new wireless content distribution (WCD) solution will take place in second quarter.
www.thalesgroup.com
Thales TopSeries AVANT
Emirates launches A380 connectivity
Passengers on Emirates A380s can now surf, share, email, or tweet their way across the skies, using their own WiFi-enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops. All customers have to do is log on to the OnAir network and follow the simple steps to access the internet. “Emirates recognises that being connected inflight is increasingly important, especially on our longer flights. Adding internet access is going to be a vital and ubiquitous part of any inflight experience, just as it is in everyday life on the ground,” said Patrick Brannelly, vp Corporate Communications. WiFi services will initially launch on 11 of 19 Emirates A380s currently in-service, with the system due to be installed both now and in the future across the entire fleet of 71 Emirates A380s on order. In addition to WiFi, from mid- 2012 all new Emirates A380s will be delivered with a full range of WiFi, mobile phone and mobile data services. Price plans start at just US $7.50 for mobile devices and US $15 on laptops for generous data packages that allow plenty of internet at an accessible price. The US $7.50 package should be sufficient for the average Blackberry user to stay connected all the way from Dubai to Paris – a flight of over six and a half hours.
www.emirates.com www.onair.aero
Passengers connect on Emirates' A380
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