KLM becomes first commercial carrier to certify ultra-thin, lightweight AeroGlass Mirrors
Hamburg, DE | April 4, 2017– AviationGlass & Technology (AGT) – a Dutch company specialized in the research, development and production of glass products for the aviation industry – today announced that KLM is certifying AGT’s AeroGlass Mirrors for its Boeing 777 fleet retrofit program which aims to fully revamp interiors to ensure greater comfort for passengers. KLM will be the first commercial airline in the world to upgrade its commercial Boeing 777 fleet with the new, ultra-thin and lightweight AeroGlass products inside the cabin.

AeroGlass Mirrors will first be installed in the lavatories of KLM’s famous ‘Orange Pride’ – the airline’s orange and blue Boeing 777-300 PH-BVA by the end of 2017. KLM’s Orange aircraft is used on routine flights and, whenever possible, during events offering opportunities to promote the Netherlands. The plane debuted last year and was operated on the Rio de Janeiro-Amsterdam route during the 2016 Olympic Games. KLM used the plane to bring home the Dutch Olympic heroes on what was called the “Medal Flight”.

AeroGlass is the world’s only certified ultra-thin and lightweight glass product for aircraft interiors. Up to 50% thinner and 25% lighter than traditional polycarbonate products yet highly robust as well as scratch and UV-resistant, AeroGlass Mirrors create the ultimate on-board experience inside business and commercial aircraft by providing superior optical quality via crystal-clear reflections. Cost of ownership and maintenance are significantly reduced due to the product’s high level of durability and resistance to scratching when cleaning and handling. AeroGlass Mirrors are available in any color and when combined with integrated lighting feature provides high quality branding and luxurious personalization opportunities.

Peter Slobbe, Vice President Fleet Services KLM said, “We are proud to certify and introduce ultra-thin and feather light glass mirrors on all our future Boeing 777 retrofits. KLM devotes a great deal of time and energy to innovation, as well as to the development of new products and services. Certifying AeroGlass Mirrors from AGT will lead to new levels of passenger comfort and design as well as contributes to our on-going sustainability efforts.”

John Rietveldt, AviationGlass & Technology’s CEO, said, “As a Dutch company, we are excited that our own national airline is the first commercial carrier in the world to introduce our AeroGlass Mirrors on its retrofitted fleet of Boeing 777s. This becomes even more prestigious by the fact that our AeroGlass Mirrors will also soon be installed on the “Orange Pride. Thousands of Dutch compatriots, including many of our national heroes, fly on this plane, making it truly an honour. Our crystal-clear mirrors will add to the atmosphere of one of our much loved national treasures.”

LAKE FOREST, California – 17 November 2009 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, announced today at the Dubai Airshow the signing of an agreement with Etihad Airways (Etihad) for 10 B777-300ER, 5 A330-300, and 2 A330-200 aircraft to be equipped with Panasonic’s leading eX2 IFEC system as well as an agreement for a 7-year turnkey service maintenance contract. The first aircraft delivery is expected in December 2009.

Etihad’s eX2 system will feature over 80 movies, 100 Television shows, 60 games, and 500 audio CDs as well as many applications designed to give passengers a superior in-flight entertainment and communications experience including:

· An animated, Flash™ -based game portal including 60 exciting games
· Picture-in-picture for richer interactive experience
· Keyword search within the extensive content listings
· Quick access user interface
· Passenger surveys
· Airport Connecting Gate Information
· Room Service hospitality
· In-seat Telephony
· and more

Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “We are extremely proud that Etihad has chosen to extend its relationship with Panasonic to include 17 more aircraft. We constantly strive to provide solutions that not only delight Etihad’s passengers, but provide key elements of Etihad’s business strategy.”

James Hogan, Chief Executive of Etihad Airways, said: “As a long haul premium carrier – and the world’s leading airline – whatever we offer our passengers has to be the best in class.”

“Our customers tell us that in-flight entertainment is a critical part of their enjoyment onboard, so we looked long and hard at the options available to make sure we selected the most modern, user-friendly system. The Panasonic eX2 allows us the flexibility to tailor features and provide our passengers with a more individual in-flight entertainment experience.”

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero <http://www.panasonic.aero/> .

16 July 2009 – Singapore Airlines has launched an aircraft cabin retrofit programme that will see new interior products introduced on some of its Boeing 777s from later this month.

In maintaining a focus on service, innovation and product leadership, an initial batch of seven B777-300s will be refitted with the Airline’s most recent cabin offerings. This will include the installation of new seats in First and Business classes, improvements in Economy class and in-flight entertainment system enhancements. The programme will provide customers additional comfort and more space, while there will also be greater product consistency across the fleet.

The Airline intends to extend the programme at a later date to more B777 aircraft, details of which will be announced when plans are firmed up.

The first aircraft in the retrofit programme will operate on the Singapore-Sydney route from 22 July. Through the end of this year, as more B777-300s are fitted with the new interior products, selected services to Shanghai and Dubai, as well as flights to Riyadh and Istanbul from Dubai, will also be operated with these aircraft.

Singapore Airlines strives to continually improve its products and services. The cabin renewal programme, launched in spite of the business challenges the world’s airlines are facing, is an investment in improving our customers’ travel experience. In response to customer feedback, the programme will include improvements across all classes.

First Class in the newly refitted aircraft will offer eight luxurious seats, 35 inches wide, providing enhanced privacy, personal attention, convenience and entertainment. For the best sleeping experience, the seat converts into the largest full-flat bed in the sky, complemented with luxurious soft furnishings.

Business Class will feature a contemporary, lavish leather incline lie-flat seat with an advanced control panel allowing the customer to personalise seating preference or select from various preset options. The seat also features a six-way adjustable headrest and lumbar support for more comfortable rest and maximum ergonomic support.

The Economy Class cabin will also be refurbished, with a new contemporary look. Seat covers are specially designed by Givenchy using richer, softer fabrics, similar to those found on Singapore Airlines’ new Airbus A380 and B777-300ER aircraft.

Singapore Airlines’ award-winning KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system will also be enhanced to provide improved Audio-Video On Demand features in all cabin classes. First Class seats will be fitted with larger 23-inch screens and Business Class seats will feature 15.4-inch screens. The system will also have an updated, more intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface across all cabin classes.

About Singapore Airlines
When Singapore Airlines was formed in 1972, it operated a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to just 22 cities in 18 countries. With a commitment to fleet modernisation, product and service innovation and market leadership, the Airline quickly distinguished itself as a world-class carrier.

Today, Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger fleet of more than 100 aircraft and its network, including Singapore Airlines Cargo and SilkAir destinations, currently covers a total of 98 destinations in 40 countries.
In October 2007, Singapore Airlines made aviation history again as the first to fly the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.

About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. The members are Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Aegean Airlines, Air India, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines and TAM have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 17,000 daily flights to 916 destinations in 160 countries.

ISTANBUL, May 06, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Turkish Airlines have signed an order for five Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes valued at $1.36 billion at current list prices. This is the first time Turkish Airlines has purchased new 777s directly from Boeing. The airline currently operates a fleet of 65 Boeing airplanes including Next-Generation 737s and leased 777-300ERs.

“The 777-300ER will provide Turkish Airlines with exceptional fuel economy, efficiency and reliability, combined with unmatched levels of payload and range,” said Aldo Basile, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It will also help Turkey build on its position as a rapidly growing market of international importance.”

The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-six customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.

Turkish Airlines is one of the fastest growing and prosperous airlines in the world. It carries approximately 20 million passengers a year, with direct flights to 108 international and 33 domestic destinations. The airline was founded in 1933 with a fleet of five airplanes that carried a total of 28 passengers. The airline made its first domestic flight in 1933 and the first international flight in 1947.

LAKE FOREST, California – 01 May 2009 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, today announced that Air Austral, La Réunion, France, has installed the eX2 in-flight entertainment system on two (2) Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The eX2-equipped aircraft will enter service this month.

Air Austral passengers will have a number of entertainment and communication options available at each seat with Panasonic’s eX2 IFEC system. For example, the eX2 system will provide passengers with access to applications such as audio and video on demand (AVOD), dynamic moving maps, games, and a variety of applications that generate ancillary revenue. With over 50 in-flight application options and services, several award-winning handsets, and high performance/high resolution displays, eX2 is an advance entertainment system that the airline can tailor to specific passenger requirements.

“We are proud to be the first French operator flying the Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system. eX2, an outstanding offering with deep maturity, will be a strategic tool to address the very competitive market between Paris and La Reunion,” said Gérard Etheve, Chief Executive Officer of Air Austral. “It will also be a major asset to our worldwide development, especially to Sydney, Australia.”

Originally known as Réunion Air Service, the airline started operations in March 1975. Starting April 1, 2009, the company will begin flights to Sydney, Australia and Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Air Austral has been a Panasonic customer since 1998 and currently has Panasonic’s IFEC systems installed on three Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

“The long-lasting relationship between our European team and Air Austral played a key role in this entry into service,” said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “We are pleased that Air Austral chose the eX2 system to help them differentiate their service in its competitive market.”

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, with over 3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero.

Neuilly sur Seine, 7 April 2009 – Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems, is pleased to announce that Korean Air chose Thales’s TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment system for six of its recently purchased Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This order follows the airline‘s original commitment for the TopSeries system on 10 B787, 35 B777 and 19 A330 aircraft. Consistent across the fleet, passengers will enjoy large screen displays, and in-seat features including a slim line passenger control unit, USB port for personal electronic connectivity and in-seat power for laptops. System functions are comprehensive and include a small map display on the passenger control device, 3-D games, live landscape cameras and daily news.

“Thales’s IFE system provides the commonality we require for our aircraft. We are impressed with both the system capability and Thales’s commitment to the program,” said Mr. S K Lee, Managing Vice President of Procurement for Korean Air. The TopSeries system for all of the airline’s aircraft is based on Thales’s next generation 3-D technology, which provides more powerful performance and efficiency. First aircraft deliveries will take place in May 2009. “Korean Air is a prominent customer for Thales in the Asia Pacific region. Our relationship is strong and we look forward to working with their organisation for years to come,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment systems business.

About Thales’s IFE systems

Thales entered the In-Flight Entertainment business in the late 90s and today employs 700+ dedicated professionals with decades of IFE experience. Its IFE headquarter office is located in California with regional offices in France, China and Singapore. Thales is the fastest growing IFE supplier with over 1,000 aircraft commitments in just 5 years. Thales offers a comprehensive In-Flight Entertainment solution covering four main areas:

• TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment systems
• TopConnect Suite of Connectivity Solutions
• TopEffects Digital Media and Services
• TopServices Global Service and Support

For more information about Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment systems visit www.thales-ifs.com.

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion.

SEATTLE, April 10, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and longtime partner Air France celebrated significant milestones today with the delivery of the 777th Boeing 777 airplane. The new Boeing 777-300ER also will be the first to bear a new Air France livery and company brand identity.

The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-six customers around the world have ordered just over 1,100 777s. The 777’s combination of unmatched payload and range, as well as the lowest fuel consumption and operating costs in its class, make it one of the most popular airplanes with passengers and airlines. Air France operates one of the largest fleets of 777s in the world and was the launch customer for both the 777-300ER and the 777 Freighter. “The 777 has been a valuable asset to the long-haul fleet of Air France and it is the right aircraft to allow us to maximize our revenues in the most economic and efficient manner,” said Pierre Vellay, senior vice president, New Aircraft & Corporate Fleet Planning, Air France.

“It is a fitting tribute to the success of the program that an industry leader such as Air France is taking delivery of our 777th 777,” said Aldo Basile vice president, Sales Europe, Russia and Central Asia for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777 continues to offer an unbeatable combination of efficiency, economics and passenger comfort that places it at the forefront of modern commercial aviation.”

The relationship between Air France and Boeing goes back to the early days of the airline, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. Air France’s early fleet of DC-3s sported the distinctive silver and royal blue livery that was used to launch the airline.

Three generations of Boeing airplanes have carried three Air France liveries. The first was with the arrival of the jet age and the Boeing 707. The second opened up long-haul international travel, epitomized by the Boeing 747 and finally, today with the unveiling of the Boeing 777-300ER. The latest incarnation of the distinctive Air France livery continues the all-white theme but is intended to position the company in the 21st century as a truly international carrier that has more than half of its passengers based outside France.

Something is going on in Seattle. Sure, Boeing stock has dropped some 5% because of recent announcements of reduced earnings, reduced commercial aircraft production as a result of sluggish demand, and finally, proposed reductions in military spending by the Obama administration. The airline traffic decline will not rebound as easily as in the past. Further, when the turnaround does occur, oil prices and the cost of money will not aid the planemakers rebound. Internet blogs have their way with the Chicago aerospace manufacturers’ management while Airbus seems to plow ahead with the A350. Even the military tanker program is threatened with program bifurcation…GE’s boss, Immelt, is recommending two manufacturers. Is there an end to this negative energy? Nope!

Last week, warned of reduced first quarter earnings in 2009, while announcing reduced production of the B777 to 5 aircraft per month from 7 beginning next year. They will also cancel a planned modest rate increase of the B747-8 and B767. The B737 rates remain unchanged for now, but as Embraer and Bombardier eat into the shorter haul, single-asile plane market, those rates may be in jeopardy. Finally, we have a Aviation statewide council being formed at the gubernatorial level – why – to keep Boeing in the State of Washington. Surely there is something a foot and an evaluation of the sales declines and existent costs, Chicago decision makers are surely looking at other venues for cost reductions. But what does all this mean for InFlight Entertainment?

If Boeing plans production cuts of some 24 B777s (perhaps, two thirds of those were passenger versions), that would reduce 18 B777’s so equipped. Each B777 might have a total of ~$3M of IFE inboard and that would total approx. $63M. Also, there is often a corresponding fleet retrofit program that accompanies new airplane deliveries to maintain fleet commonality. Depending upon who the B777 customers are, their retrofits might either be cancelled on slid to the right. Let’s guess this means another 9 aircraft retrofits are lost so that would total about $32M. All told $95M lost not including any B767/B747-8 cuts. Hmm… sounds like IFE just took about a 5% sales hit… and that doesn’t include fleet retrofits not driven by new aircraft sales. It has long been the case, that the economy drives aircraft sales with a lag that ranges from six months to one year. That change trickles down to changes in IFE sales some one year to eighteen months down the road. If we add Airbus impacts, these numbers could easily double. Hang on IFE and stay tuned.

Aircraft Interiors, Hamburg 31 March 2009 – Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems, is pleased to announce that British Airways has decided to purchase additional TopSeries systems for a retrofit installation on eighteen Boeing 777 aircraft. This order comes after an earlier announcement when Thales and British Airways agreed to a multimillion pound deal that will put the Thales’s TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment system on the airlines new delivery and next generation aircraft. The selection for these existing B777 aircraft provides all passengers a consistent travel experience in line with the new aircraft orders.

With bigger, clearer LCD screens, the TopSeries system will give passengers access to more than 100 movies, 300 programmes and 400 CDs as well as a range of radio programmes and podcasts whenever they want. The system will also include a range of interactive and multiplayer games as well as several e-learning applications, which will allow passengers to enjoy a web-like experience from their seat. Other features include:

• Enhanced wide screen sizes
• USB and RCA jack ports at each seat throughout the cabin for personal electronic device (PED) connection and charging
• In-seat laptop power plugs throughout the cabin
• Noise cancelling headsets in all premium class seats
• New 3-D interactive moving map applications in all cabins

“Thales is very pleased that British Airways has elected to extend the scope of our endeavor,” said Mark Barclay, Vice President and Managing Director at Thales UK’s aerospace business said: “The airline will take delivery of its first aircraft with the TopSeries installed in 2010.”

Thales’s IFE Systems

Thales entered the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) business in the late 90s and today employs 700 + dedicated professionals with decades of IFE experience. Its IFE headquarter office is located in California with regional offices in France, China and Singapore. Thales is the fastest growing IFE supplier with over 1,000 aircraft commitments in just 5 years. Thales offers a comprehensive in-flight entertainment solution covering four main areas:

• TopSeries Inflight Entertainment Systems
• TopConnect Suite of Connectivity Solutions
• TopEffects Digital Media and Services
• TopServices Global Service and Support

For more information about Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment Systems visit www.thales-ifs.com .

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion.

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 24, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] yesterday delivered the second of eight 777-200LRs (Longer Range) jetliners that have been ordered by Qatar Airways. The airplane departed Paine Field in Everett in the early afternoon on a shuttle flight of more than 14 hours to its new operational base at Doha International Airport. Qatar Airways has ordered 17 777-300ERs (Extended Range), five of which have been delivered, and two 777 Freighters for future delivery. The first Boeing 777-200LR to join the airline’s fleet arrived in Doha Feb. 8.