Qatar Airways has emerged as the launch customer for Thales' newest in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system, after agreeing a massive deal to equip up to 60 Boeing 787s with the Inmarsat SwiftBroadband-supported solution.

Representing the next generation platform in Thales' TopSeries family, the IFEC system comes with a new passenger control that is "an intelligent touch-screen device that enables passengers to control games and IFE selections", says Thales.

Cabin connectivity is integrated with the IFE. Thales says in-fight connectivity service provider OnAir is coordinating with Qatar on the offering.

Qatar holds firm orders for 30 787 twinjets, plus 30 options.

Source: Flight Daily News