Hamburg, Germany | April 11, 2014– Ancillary Revenue represents a $46bn industry for the global commercial air transport sector. At present these revenues are experiencing a 30% year on year growth. Thales expects that the on-board portion of this revenue, which today accounts for 15% of the total, will become an ever more crucial driver for airline profits.
The IFE leader is therefore announcing the delivery of its onboard payment application that brings self-service to the air by enabling passengers to purchase items directly through the TopSeries AVANT system. The system platform is now compliant with the PCI Data Security Standards (DSS) and will fly onboard a major carrier in Q2 2014.
By bundling many different payment methodologies into a single package, Thales aims at enhancing the passenger experience whilst at the same time enabling airlines to further their ancillary revenue generation streams.
The application, developed by GuestLogix, allows for greater flexibility and ease of access to payment options for passengers, all linked to the easy to use credit card reader equipped on AVANT. This functionality opens the doors to a vast array of pay-for services including shopping for destination items such as ground transportation, tourist attraction packages and selected store catalogue shopping, as well as on-board shopping from duty free to in-flight entertainment access or inflight catering for airlines that do not offer these as a complementary service.
Thales had a milestone event today in the first delivery announcement of the latest Thales TopSeries AVANT in-flight entertainment and connectivity IFEC system. As launch customer for the newest system, China Southern selected “the world’s most advanced Thales passenger system”. Why is it important? In case you have been asleep for that last few months you have not seen the aircraft manufacturers predictions that half the worlds traffic growth will occur in the Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, the market for aircraft (and thus IFEC systems) looks to be a whopping 13,000 aircraft to the tune of almost $2 T… that’s Trillion!
At a ceremony held today at the Boeing facility in Seattle, China Southern took delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with the new generation Thales TopSeries AVANT in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system, making China Southern the launch customer for the world’s most advanced Thales passenger system.
China Southern is the largest airline in Asia by fleet size and the fifth largest airline in the world by number of passengers. Thales already equips the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft with its IFEC systems and will now install the award winning AVANT system on all 10 Boeing 777- 300ER scheduled to enter into service for the airline between 2014 and 2016. The first of these aircraft will fly from Seattle back to the airline’s main hub in Guangzhou, Baiyun International airport where it is scheduled to enter into regular service on March 2nd, between Guangzhou and Shanghai Hongqiao. It is believed that China Southern will use the Boeing 777-300ER to fly direct between Guangzhou and New York.
The fourth-generation TopSeries AVANT system is ideal for all commercial aircraft types. Its unique design eliminates the electronics box under cabin seats, thereby improving passenger comfort and enhancing weight efficiency. China Southern will benefit from the system’s scalable design which will allow the airline to offer significant differentiation between classes, such as single touchscreen in economy and interactive multi-screen in business. The AVANT system is also based on the Android operating system, which accommodates a wide range of both off-the-shelf and airline-specific applications.
Why the latest press release from Panasonic release is worth reading: The following excerpts from today’s announcement from Panasonic, to the best of our knowledge, is the first mention of tying in airline operations, aircraft health conditioning, crew ops, EFB, maintenance operations, airplane conditions, and weather in one package…not to mention one terrific information/entertainment service package. Although these functions and their bundling have been discussed for years, this is the “Big Apple” of connectivity and delivers the payoff of a problem noted in the early nineties by the President of Douglas Aircraft when he stated that only node in the airline network not automated was the airplane itself!
Singapore Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) to explore opportunities to leverage Panasonic’s Global Communications Services to change the way it conducts business.
With the signing of the MOU, the two companies will look to use Panasonic’s Global Communications Services to streamline operations across key areas including:
- Tie broadband-equipped aircraft into the airline operations network to improve aircraft location monitoring and view aircraft speed, altitude and other performance parameters in real time
- Deliver real-time aircraft health monitoring, engine data transmission, critical systems monitoring, and detection and communication of issues prior to arrival
- Increase cabin crew and flight deck efficiency with live customer relations management, electronic flight bag, operations and maintenance air to ground communications, and real-time information about icing, turbulence and other critical weather updates
- Enhance the passenger experience with greater levels of personalization, more robust infotainment.
- Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation said, “Connectivity has the potential to change the airline industry in the same way the internet changed the way business is done everywhere on the ground. We salute Singapore Airlines for recognizing the enormous value a truly connected aircraft can bring to their operations.”
- Panasonic and Singapore Airlines also announced a long term Power By The Hour Maintenance Contract covering the maintenance, repair and support of Panasonic IFE equipment through 2024. The Singapore based Panasonic and SIAEC Joint Venture, Panasonic Avionics Corporation Services Singapore (PACSS) will play a central role in the execution of this agreement. The contract further enhances ties between the two industry leaders.
Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation said, “Connectivity has the potential to change the airline industry in the same way the internet changed the way business is done everywhere on the ground. We salute Singapore Airlines for recognizing the enormous value a truly connected aircraft can bring to their operations.”
Panasonic and Singapore Airlines also announced a long term Power By The Hour Maintenance Contract covering the maintenance, repair and support of Panasonic IFE equipment through 2024. The Singapore based Panasonic and SIAEC Joint Venture, Panasonic Avionics Corporation Services Singapore (PACSS) will play a central role in the execution of this agreement. The contract further enhances ties between the two industry leaders.
Neuilly-sur-Seine, France and Seattle, WA | February 25, 2014– At a ceremony held today at the Boeing facility in Seattle, China Southern took delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with the new generation Thales TopSeries AVANT in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system, making China Southern the launch customer for the world’s most advanced Thales passenger system.
China Southern is the largest airline in Asia by fleet size and the fifth largest airline in the world by number of passengers. Thales already equips the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft with its IFEC systems and will now install the award winning AVANT system on all 10 Boeing 777- 300ER scheduled to enter into service for the airline between 2014 and 2016. The first of these aircraft will fly from Seattle back to the airline’s main hub in Guangzhou, Baiyun International airport where it is scheduled to enter into regular service on March 2nd, between Guangzhou and Shanghai Hongqiao. It is believed that China Southern will use the Boeing 777-300ER to fly direct between Guangzhou and New York.
The fourth-generation TopSeries AVANT system is ideal for all commercial aircraft types. Its unique design eliminates the electronics box under cabin seats, thereby improving passenger comfort and enhancing weight efficiency. China Southern will benefit from the system’s scalable design which will allow the airline to offer significant differentiation between classes, such as single touchscreen in economy and interactive multi-screen in business. The AVANT system is also based on the Android operating system, which accommodates a wide range of both off-the-shelf and airline-specific applications.
System programs are offered in five languages, English, Simplified Chinese, French, Japanese and Korean. Beyond the convenience of on-demand entertainment, passengers have a wide selection of applications including an interactive 3D map, 25 games, flight connection information, e-books, e-shopping and a picture viewer. Electronic surveys are also available in support of passenger-airline relations.
China Southern will also benefit from service support provided by Thales’s Airline Operations Centre, which will provide round the clock monitoring of all seats and enable response and maintenance within 4 hours of a fault being detected anywhere in the world.
Prior to the departure of the maiden flight of the first China Southern Boeing 777-300ER from Seattle, Mr Zhang Zifang, COO of China Southern, said “These aircraft play a crucial role in our international growth strategy and being the launch customer for the AVANT system is a important move for us to offer an advanced experience to our passengers.”
Dominique Giannoni, Thales Vice President and CEO of the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity business line, added “The Chinese market is one of the most dynamic in the world, and we are delighted to experience the launch of our new system with China Southern. This is a major milestone for Thales and we anticipate that passengers will really enjoy their in-flight experience and the new features that the AVANT system will bring them.”
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (Dubai) | February 5, 2014–
Thales, leader in In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) and Turkish Airlines, flag carrier of the Republic of Turkey and member of the Star Alliance, announce the Thales TopSeries AVANT in-flight entertainment system has been officially selected on board 25 of its A321 and 20 of its B737 aircraft.
Turkish Airlines is the world’s largest carrier by number of destinations and enjoys an average fleet age of just over 6 years, well below all its main European peers. The carrier achieved a huge 23.6% growth in 2013 with over 50 million passengers. It utilised this success and young fleet to develop a bold and successful strategy, positioning itself as one of the top airlines for passenger comfort. As a result, SKYTRAX, the world’s premier airline review service has, for the past three consecutive years voted Turkish Airlines Europe’s best airline.
This commitment to the passenger experience is reflected in the airline’s choice to operate the latest generation, award winning Thales TopSeries AVANT IFE system. The system is easily equipped on all advanced, single and twin aisle Airbus and Boeing aircraft and its unique design eliminates the electronics box under each cabin seat therefore improving passenger comfort and driving weight efficiency, both key drivers for the single aisle segment. The system’s scalable design allows Turkish to offer differentiation between classes such as single touchscreen in economy and interactive multi-screen in business. The AVANT system is also based on the Android Operating System, which accommodates a wide range of both off-the-shelf and airline specific applications easily integrated using the unique Thales Software Developers Kit (SDK).
A further element of the selection was Turkish Airlines’ ability to use Thales’s highly experienced global service and support network to ensure optimal system performance especially in fast turnaround situations, driving maximum passenger satisfaction and comfort.
Turkish Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer Dr. Temel Kotil has stated that: “Superior service is the distinguishing mark of Turkish Airlines, separating us from our competitors. We are trying to offer our passengers the best examples of Turkish hospitality while onboard. We are aware that the in- flight services are the significant components for the satisfaction of our passengers and we continue to raise the bar. We are continuing to work on meeting the expectations of our passengers by constantly innovating to delight and surprise our guests as in this innovation. And with this new in-flight entertainment system we are convinced that we will bring an added value to the comfort of our passengers. All of these changes display the desire of Turkish Airlines to provide an unmatched travel experience.”
Commenting on the agreement, Dominique Giannoni, Chief Executive Officer of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC), said: “Turkish Airlines’ focus on providing passengers with an exceptional in-flight experience is reflected in both its efforts to build a solid IFE platform within single aisle aircraft whilst still providing a “wow-factor” to the passenger experience. Our AVANT solution is well positioned to bring these benefits to fruition: All classes enjoy full capacitive touchscreens in line with latest consumer technology. Premium class passengers will also enjoy the multiscreen environment provided by the award winning handheld touchscreen media unit. We are very honoured to work with Turkish Airlines on its path towards growth and excellence.”
Turkish Airlines and Thales have also agreed to a 10 year service agreement for the provision of media content support to ensure a dynamic and engaging passenger experience.
Turkish Airlines will start taking delivery of its A321 fleet in March 2015 and its’ B737 aircraft in January 2016.
APEX 2013, Anaheim, CA | September 10, 2013– Thales, leader in In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC), is pleased to announce its partnership with Seattle based Survey Analytics LLC, a domain expert in survey technology and
reporting. Together, the organizations will launch a new passenger survey application
and reporting tool planned for release by end of the year. The solution is a powerful research platform for airlines to be able to grow their bottom line through real, in-depth knowledge about passenger behavior and preferences. Convenient for the airline, the application requires minimal lead time to create a survey and to obtain reports of analyzed results
Already proven in a ground based environment, the solution is now available for Thales’s
TopSeries AVANT® Android™ platform. The application supports 22 languages and facilitates an airline’s ability to follow up with passengers post-flight. Thales has secured an undisclosed major airline launch customer
“This partnership enables Thales to provide best-in-class survey and reporting capabilities to our customers that assists them with driving revenue through in-depth knowledge of the expectations of passengers. Survey Analytics is known in the transportation industry and by bringing their product to the cabin opens up new opportunities to our airline customers” said Dominique Giannoni, CEO of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC).
Creating and managing surveys is intuitive and easily facilitates what would typically be regarded as traditionally complex processes in a legacy system environment. The application enables airlines to expand the set of available question types, including graphical ratings and calculating constant sums and complex matrix configurations. Using robust logic and branching features, surveys can be set up in a way that guides the passenger through the survey based on multiple previous answers. The offering includes sophisticated reporting tools that go far beyond basic tabular reporting with capabilities such as cross-tabulation, banner and pivot tables, TURF analysis and data segmentation and trending.
“Our partnership with Thales allows airlines to bring our enterprise grade feedback system to the skies. Airlines now have the ability to actively listen to their passengers in real-time and proactively act on customer feedback. In simple terms, this onboard application makes engagement with customers easy” said Vivek Bhaskaran, CEO of Survey Analytics.
Aircraft Interiors Expo – Hamburg, Germany | April 9, 2013– Thales, a leader in In-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems and Gogo, the world’s leading provider of in- flight connectivity, are delighted to announce a new partnership. The relationship will enable airlines to select a highly integrated, powerful IFEC product that combines Gogo’s connectivity solutions with the Thales TopConnectTM cabin system.
Thales and Gogo first partnered to deliver an IFEC solution for a major U.S. airline and are now teaming up to offer line-fit solutions for the global market. The solution will be based on the Thales TopSeries AVANT® platform and will utilize Gogo’s connectivity solutions. Gogo currently offers solutions based on Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band satellite service, Ku-satellite and Air-to-Ground (ATG) technologies.
The partnership will combine Gogo’s capabilities as an independent service provider and the leader in in-flight connectivity with Thales’ excellence in systems design, architecture, integration and support to bring a unique IFEC experience to airlines and their passengers.
“Gogo has both an excellent track record and a technology that harmonizes extremely well with the Thales IFEC platform. It brings two best of breed capabilities together and will give airlines exclusive passenger experiences with an economical and global connection. This gives us the benefit of accessing satellite based connectivity services through Gogo’s reseller agreements with its satellite partners as well as Gogo’s ATG network where available,” said Alan Pellegrini, President and CEO, Thales USA.
“Gogo is focused on delivering the best experience for airlines and passengers and is looking forward to integrating Gogo connectivity services with Thales’ leading cabin systems,” said Gogo’s president and CEO, Michael Small. “As Gogo continues to expand its global footprint and as we get closer to launch with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress, we see this as a great opportunity to leverage Thales’ international leadership in IFEC platforms.”
Hamburg, Germany – April 5, 2011 —Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity systems, unveils the complete system architecture of the new TopSeries system. Its’ advancements push the boundaries of previous IFEC systems with exceptional system performance, solid reliability and optimized flexible design.
The TopSeries Next Generation system, now called TopSeries AVANT, is a new Thales product and is a revolutionary system that combines the strengths of earlier generation systems with advanced technologies such as high definition video, solid state hard drives, and faster processors to create a passenger experience that is a genuine revelation. The new system is a seat-centric solution that underscores the importance of refining the passenger’s environment making it more functional, comfortable and appealing to the eye. Recently, an undisclosed airline selected the TopSeries AVANT for installation on its future A350 aircraft.
Thales is working closely with Airbus to have the TopSeries AVANT offerable on all other Airbus platforms. The Thales AVANT embraces the Android™ operating system. Starting with the system’s Avion award-winning Touch Passenger Media Unit, this hand-held unit is also a finalist for a 2011 Crystal Cabin Award.
Despite the accolades, the product itself is just the beginning. Thales is opening an App Portal that embraces the growing number of Android based applications making it easier for airlines to review and select capabilities already tested and integrated to the new system.
“We are in high gear now with our new generation system. The market will see Thales maneuver into new market segments and deliver new innovation for the latest aircraft types. With TopSeries AVANT, the market will see a true revolution,” said Alan Pellegrini, Managing Director for Thales In-flight Entertainment activities.
VISIT THE THALES STAND FOR AN EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW AND TOUR, 6B20.
Inflight connectivity is about getting data to and from a passenger’s laptop, or getting their voice to the right ear, wherever that might be. The technology behind it may not be interesting to passengers, but it is technological developments, such as TriaGnoSys’ new GSM roaming solution, that drive increased efficiencies, reduce costs and thereby enable airlines to offer more connectivity to more people.”