Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will feature the latest in audio-visual entertainment on its new Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleets to be delivered later this year.
The airline said on May 4 that it is introducing the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system across both fleets, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high definition screens across all cabins.
The system has video touchscreen handsets, offering an additional screen for guests to maximise their entertainment, so they can play games or view the moving map while watching a movie. Noise cancelling headsets are provided across all cabins, with built-in magnetic audio jacks to ensure the best sound quality.
The A380 will have Etihad Airways’ full mobile and Wi-Fly connectivity, while the B787 is equipped with Wi-Fly.
Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “We share Etihad Airways’ vision of offering the very best guest experience in the skies, and are delighted to partner on their next-generation inflight entertainment system.
“With the industry’s highest performance and brilliant high-definition displays, connectivity to the seatback and to passenger devices, higher levels of personalisation, second screen content, and much more, passengers will enjoy a truly unique inflight experience on board Etihad Airways’ state-of-the-art aircraft.”
The Panasonic eX3 represents Panasonic Avionics’ tenth generation in-flight entertainment system, and is the company’s most advanced solution for wide-bodied aircraft. The system features the latest in industrial design, high-definition and 3D display technologies, as well as a family of advanced capacitive-touch handsets, similar to the screens in use on smartphones today. Audio-wise, the eX3 supports state-of-the-art surround sound to create a home theatre atmosphere.
The eX3 supports the industry’s largest library of games, audio, video and other content. Content is stored in all-solid state storage to maximise media storage and reliability.