Advanced inflight entertainment system to be installed across its fleet of new Dreamliners

Lake Forest, CA | July 18, 2017– EL AL Israel Airlines today announced that it has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) industry-leading eX3 inflight entertainment (IFE) system for its new fleet of 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Under terms of its agreement with Panasonic, EL AL will install eX3 across nine Boeing 787-9s and seven B787-8s, with the first aircraft being delivered in August 2017. The agreement also includes a 15-year contract for the provision of system maintenance by Panasonic Technical Services, including spares, repairs and logistics, at an optimized maintenance cost.

EL AL’s eX3 system features an elegant industrial design across all cabin classes. Passengers will be able to view 12, 13 and 16-inch high definition monitors that deliver superior viewing angles and capacitive touch. They also feature proprietary Panasonic technology that functions like the human eye, making dark scenes more visible by improving brightness in dark areas while simultaneously eliminating white saturation. The result is superior picture performance across all media formats including movies, TV shows, games, maps and more.

Hideo Nakano, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, says: “Our partnership with EL AL continues to go from one successful program to the next and now stretches over a quarter of a century. Our eX3 system will provide EL AL with an industry-leading entertainment experience, delivering a premium service to their passengers traveling across the world.

“Our renewed agreement is testament to the loyalty and opportunity that our continued relationship delivers and we look forward to this new and exciting chapter.”

EL AL Vice President Service Amir Rogovsky adds: “We are focused on delivering a premium inflight experience for our customers. Our long-term partnership with Panasonic continues to be extremely successful and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with Panasonic Avionics as one of the leaders in the IFE industry.

Singapore | October 26, 2016– Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) to deliver a premium entertainment experience onboard its new fleet of four B787-8 aircraft.

A. M. Mosaddique Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO for Biman said, “For our new 787-8 aircraft, we want an entertainment experience that immerses our guests in our brand and the culture of Bangladesh. After looking at all the options available today, it was clear that Panasonic could deliver the kind of experiences and technology we needed to ensure a premium experience onboard our newest aircraft. We look forward to working with Panasonic for many years to come.”

The agreement, which represents the first time the companies have collaborated on inflight entertainment, ensures that Biman’s four new B787-8 aircraft will feature hi-definition screens, advanced touch-screen handsets, and a “home theatre” experience to passengers.

Panasonic Avionics President and CEO Paul Margis said: “We are honored to have been selected by Biman to provide the latest generation of inflight entertainment for their new Dreamliner fleet. Working together, we’ll leverage the most advanced technology available to create a superlative and memorable passenger experience.”

Panasonic’s eX3 system has been chosen by many of the world’s leading global carriers due to its unmatched entertainment capabilities, ultra-lightweight design, low total cost of ownership and high reliability. This cutting-edge inflight entertainment solution is capable of delivering more than 700 hours of on-demand audio and video entertainment. It offers excellent picture quality with enhanced colour and contrast features. Its monitors are future-proofed by offering enough processing power to support all of today’s applications as well as those being introduced in the years to come.

Singapore | October 26, 2016– Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) to deliver a premium entertainment experience onboard its new fleet of four B787-8 aircraft.

A. M. Mosaddique Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO for Biman said, “For our new 787-8 aircraft, we want an entertainment experience that immerses our guests in our brand and the culture of Bangladesh. After looking at all the options available today, it was clear that Panasonic could deliver the kind of experiences and technology we needed to ensure a premium experience onboard our newest aircraft. We look forward to working with Panasonic for many years to come.”

The agreement, which represents the first time the companies have collaborated on inflight entertainment, ensures that Biman’s four new B787-8 aircraft will feature hi-definition screens, advanced touch-screen handsets, and a “home theatre” experience to passengers.

Panasonic Avionics President and CEO Paul Margis said: “We are honored to have been selected by Biman to provide the latest generation of inflight entertainment for their new Dreamliner fleet. Working together, we’ll leverage the most advanced technology available to create a superlative and memorable passenger experience.”

Panasonic’s eX3 system has been chosen by many of the world’s leading global carriers due to its unmatched entertainment capabilities, ultra-lightweight design, low total cost of ownership and high reliability. This cutting-edge inflight entertainment solution is capable of delivering more than 700 hours of on-demand audio and video entertainment. It offers excellent picture quality with enhanced colour and contrast features. Its monitors are future-proofed by offering enough processing power to support all of today’s applications as well as those being introduced in the years to come.

Aircraft Interiors Expo, Hamburg | April 15, 2015– The new dedicated Airline Services Interiors business, one of three distinct divisions under a new streamlined structure announced by Airline Services Ltd this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo (Hall 6 Stand B78), has been awarded a contract to integrate a new In-Flight Entertainment system on 18 Boeing 747 aircraft operated by British Airways.

Airline Services Interiors is responsible for the design, certification and manufacture of the modification kits to integrate the new IFE system on all classes of passenger seating from World Traveller (economy) though to First Class. It is working with IFE provider Panasonic and aircraft integrator, Zodiac NAT, to fit Panasonic’s next generation eX3 IFE system, which will be installed from September 2015. The lightweight design of the system helps to save fuel, while offering customers over 1500 hours of entertainment programming on larger, hi-resolution screens featuring tablet style touch and swipe controls.

As part of the upgrade, Airline Services Interiors has also integrated new universal power sockets at every seat in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) together with individual USB sockets to allow customers to power their phones and tablets.

The cabin interiors of the British Airways 747s are also being refreshed so they match those on the airline’s new A380 and 787 aircraft and Airline Services Interiors has developed new fitted seat covers to improve comfort and appearance.

Headed by Managing Director Martin Barnes, Airline Services Interiors’ portfolio comprises three market focused capabilities -Through Life Services, Engineered Products and Managed Solutions, which is responsible for the British Airways IFE upgrade.

Managed Solutions brings together Airline Services Interiors’ in-house design, manufacturing and turnkey modification with its EASA Part 21G design and manufacturing production capability. This enables it to deliver customised solutions for airlines to redesign, refurbish or upgrade their cabin interiors seating and IFE.

Trial integration and First Article seat build is being carried out at Airline Services Interiors Passenger Seating Centre of Excellence, which is co-located with the design and manufacturing teams in Manchester, UK. Certification of the three seat types is complete with First Article Inspection of the seat modification design phase nearing completion. Airline Services Interiors will support the seat modification programme by British Airways Interiors Engineering at its facility in Blackwood, Wales where the first aircraft is due to be refurbished by British Airways in Summer 2015.

• Sky Team member chooses global Wi-Fi system and state-of-the-art entertainment system

Hamburg, Germany | April 14, 2015– Xiamen Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics (“Panasonic”) to equip its new fleet of Boeing Dreamliners with global connectivity and the world’s leading inflight entertainment systems.

Xiamen Airlines, a member of the Sky Team alliance that began international operations this year with a service between Xiamen and Amsterdam, will equip six of its Boeing 787-8s with Panasonic’s inflight Wi-Fi service as well as its eX3 entertainment system. The system will allow Xiamen Airlines to offer passengers hi-definition screens and more than 700 hours of on-demand audio and video entertainment. This can include up to 120 movies, 180 television programs, 350 audio selections and 30 games.

Panasonic through its partnership with China Telecom is the only provider of Wi-Fi authorized to offer inflight Wi-Fi on flights over mainland China.

Panasonic Avionics President and CEO Paul Margis said: “We’re proud that an airline as ambitious as Xiamen has chosen Panasonic to bring its passengers the very best the industry can offer. The powerful combination of broadband Wi-Fi with world-class entertainment will create a truly unique experience for Xiamen’s passengers.”

London, UK | October 23, 2014– With a suite of new technologies onboard, the first Virgin Atlantic 787 Dreamliner will take to the skies on 26th October from London Heathrow to Boston. As one of the most efficient aircraft in its class, a key to its performance is its new technology and innovative design.

Dave Bulman, Director of Technology commented: “The 787 is a revolutionary aircraft and new technology allows it to perform more efficiently than any other aircraft of its size. We recognise that technology is an extremely important part of a customer’s journey, whether they are flying for business or pleasure, and this aircraft has given us a fantastic opportunity to look at what we can offer our customers onboard. We have been working really hard with our partners at Boeing and Panasonic to bring connectivity across all our cabins as well as updating our revolutionary touch screen inflight entertainment.”

Onboard connectivity
Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with Panasonic and T-Mobile to offer all customers eXConnect KU Band wifi connectivity onboard its new 787 aircraft. Whether on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone, customers can connect their devices to the wireless onboard internet with just a few clicks and start surfing the web. The cost of the internet is £14.99 for the duration of your flight; however customers can browse destination and aircraft information, Retail Therapy and further Virgin Atlantic services complimentary. With power now available to every seat throughout the 787, customers don’t need to worry about losing battery and can work or play throughout their journey.

Let us entertain you…
The 787 Dreamliner sees Virgin Atlantic role out Vera Touch 2 in-flight entertainment system throughout all cabins, boasting over 400 hours of carefully curated, on demand award-winning entertainment.

The cutting-edge next generation eX3 system from Panasonic features a widescreen smart monitor at all seats with a capacitive touchscreen interface allowing passengers to access content in just a few swipes and clicks. The IFE also boasts a new Skymap from Betria Interactive delivering a captivating 3D experience, infused with interesting and detailed point-of-interest content that can engage the passenger in a rich and informative interactive experience. All seats boast an integrated USB port allowing passengers to power their own devices. New to the Upper Class cabin is a 24” touchscreen monitor over the bar showing looped animations that complement the cabin environment, as well as the option to view the innovative map on a larger screen.

But first let me take a #SkyhighSelfie….
Virgin Atlantic is also introducing the ultimate #SkyhighSelfie, which offers customers the opportunity to update Facebook free of charge from the air. Developed in conjunction with Wavealot, this bespoke application will allow customers to check in on Facebook and share their location with their friends and followers mid-flight. The app will allow one check in per person and customers can purchase the wifi to continue the conversation. Virgin Atlantic is also developing certain #SkyhighSelfie spots in the cabin to offer customers the chance to take the perfect selfie onboard and share their experience. The app will also act as a mile high discussion forum where customers on the flight can chat and spark debate in the air.