Saudi Arabian Airlines has emerged as the second confirmed taker for AeroMobile’s onboard cellphone service, following launch customer Emirates.
The news came as part of yesterday’s announcement that the Saudi carrier had selected the TopSeries i5000 audio/video-on-demand in-flight entertainment system from Thales Avionics for its 22 Boeing 777-200s. The IFE system is to be retrofitted, with the first revenue flight by a TopSeries-equipped aircraft scheduled for next June.
In-seat facilities on the Saudi 777s will include laptop power, a USB port and an RCA jack to allow passengers to view content from their personal electronic devices through the seatback screen. The first-class cabins will be fitted with 15.4in, 16:9-aspect-ratio screens, with 12.1in units in business class and 8.9in in economy, and the existing bulkhead screens will be replaced with 47in LCDs.
The Saudi Arabian announcement means that UK-based ARINC/Telenor joint venture AeroMobile now has two confirmed cellphone customers. It is also carrying out an in-service trial with Qantas and is waiting for the go-ahead to announce another four airline customers.
Airbus/SITA rival OnAir holds four commitments, from Kingfisher of India, European low-fare operator Ryanair, Malaysia’s AirAsia and Shenzhen Airlines of China. A further three carriers – Air France, BMI of the UK and Air Portugal – are to carry out commercial trials.
The news came as part of yesterday’s announcement that the Saudi carrier had selected the TopSeries i5000 audio/video-on-demand in-flight entertainment system from Thales Avionics for its 22 Boeing 777-200s. The IFE system is to be retrofitted, with the first revenue flight by a TopSeries-equipped aircraft scheduled for next June.
In-seat facilities on the Saudi 777s will include laptop power, a USB port and an RCA jack to allow passengers to view content from their personal electronic devices through the seatback screen. The first-class cabins will be fitted with 15.4in, 16:9-aspect-ratio screens, with 12.1in units in business class and 8.9in in economy, and the existing bulkhead screens will be replaced with 47in LCDs.
The Saudi Arabian announcement means that UK-based ARINC/Telenor joint venture AeroMobile now has two confirmed cellphone customers. It is also carrying out an in-service trial with Qantas and is waiting for the go-ahead to announce another four airline customers.
Airbus/SITA rival OnAir holds four commitments, from Kingfisher of India, European low-fare operator Ryanair, Malaysia’s AirAsia and Shenzhen Airlines of China. A further three carriers – Air France, BMI of the UK and Air Portugal – are to carry out commercial trials.
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Source: Flight Daily News
