Air India Dreamliner's in-flight entertainment system a 'game changer'

Air India's new Boeing 787 Dreamliner have got a game changing in-flight entertainment (IFE) system from French technology firm Thales.

Thales has provided its state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system i-8000 to Air India's fleet of 787s.

The system has a host of interactive capabilities through an easy navigation user interface, including full audio and video on-demand (AVOD), games, shopping catalogues and a new interactive ASXi moving map application.

"In-flight entertainment systems can have a direct and lasting impact on customer perception of the service excellence of an airline," Alan Pellegrini, chief executive, Thales In-flight entertainment business said.

Air India has inducted the first two of the 27 Dreamliners which have been ordered. The airline expects to induct four more by December 2012. All the Dreamliners will be equipped with the Thales i-8000 IFE.

K.M. Unni, director engineering of Air India said: "Thales IFE system adds to the greatness of this aircraft and we know Thales will be there to support us as they do today on many other aircraft."

The Boeing 787 business class seats boast of 15.4-inch seatback displays coupled with USB port for personal electronic device battery charge. The seats are fitted with noise cancelling audio jacks and passenger control units with keyboard.

The Dreamliners' economy class seats are equipped with a 10.6-inch seatback or in-arm display, USB port, noise cancelling audio jack and the standard passenger control unit.



Currently, Air India's 20 Boeing 777s, four Boeing 747s and 42 Airbus 320s are equipped with Thales IFE systems.

"The airline (Air India) today equips a large portion of its modern fleet with the Thales TopSeries system. We look forward to working closely with Air India to support their operations for years to come," said Eric Lenseigne, Thales India country director.

As a leading aerospace and transport firm, Thales is present in 56 countries worldwide and employs about 67,000 people, including 22,500 engineers and researchers.

With inputs from IANS