British Airways' launch this week of 32-seat, all-business narrowbody service between London City and New York JFK highlights the growing presence of semi-embedded in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems in aircraft cabins.
Passengers aboard BA's Airbus A318 transatlantic flights have access to IMS Company's PAV705 portable media players, which "are integrated into a brand new business class seat", says IMS. "This type of seat installation allows the passenger a hands-free operation and full use of the tray table for meal and beverage services," it adds.
Several airlines are now using IMS portable media players in a semi-embedded configuration, allowing for easy installation in a seat arm or seatback installation.
IMS says it has worked with airlines and various seat manufactures "providing a variety of innovative and effective designs" to incorporate its players into the seats in both single- and twin-aisle aircraft, as well as economy class seats.
IMS will showcase examples of its semi-embedded installations for portable media players, as well as some new concepts, at the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition next week in Palm Springs, California.