Summary
- Ethiopian Airlines will integrate Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment system on its upcoming fleet of Airbus A350-1000 airplanes, offering passengers access to interactive maps, shopping, and more.
- The new aircraft will add to its current fleet of twenty A350-900s.
- Thales’ AVANT Up product features 4k QLED high-definition displays with power management for high-speed charging, USB ports for device charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and built-in WiFi for multiple device pairing.
Africa’s largest carrier has confirmed the in-flight entertainment system for its upcoming fleet of Airbus A350 airplanes. The Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced that it will work with Thales to integrate its AVANT Up inflight entertainment system, bringing passengers a new user interface to access interactive maps, shopping, and more alongside meal and beverage selections.
Ethiopian’s big Airbus day.
The announcement comes as Ethiopian Airlines declared its intention to order up to 17 additional Airbus A350s for its fleet at the Dubai Air Show. The carrier is already Africa’s largest user of the A350, operating a fleet of twenty A350-900s. The new
memorandum of understanding calls for 11 additional Airbus A350-900s with six more purchase rights to be added to its existing fleet.
The latest agreement with Thales covers the in-flight system for the four Airbus A350-1000s currently on order with the airlines. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr Mesfin Tasew, confirmed the existing A350s were proving popular with passengers and expressed his excitement for the new systems to arrive with the incoming aircraft:
“As we endeavor to maintain our position as Africa’s number one and among the leading global airlines, we know one of the key success factors is giving our passengers the best possible onboard experience. We are delighted to introduce the AVANT Up inflight entertainment solution for our upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft where passengers will enjoy the finest immersive and cinematic experience.
“The system provides several unique features that enable the passengers remain excited throughout the flight, and arrive at their destination relaxed.”
Photo: Ethiopian Airlines
The first of Ethiopian Airlines’ four Airbus A350-1000 planes is on track to be delivered in the third quarter of 2024.
4k for the 4 planes
The system to be installed is Thales’ AVANT Up product, which features OPTIQ 4k QLED high-definition displays. The screens are designed with Thales’ Pulse power management to enable high-speed charging at each seat. The screens come equipped with USB-A and USB-C charging ports, providing passengers with up to 70 watts to charge their phones, tablets, or laptops during flight.
Travelers who prefer to use their own headphones are also in luck. The system allows for two Bluetooth connections and built-in WiFi, enabling passengers to pair multiple devices. Bruno Guinamand, Regional Vice President, Thales Inflyt Experience, commented on the longstanding relationship between the two companies and how the system will benefit passengers:
“Ethiopian has trusted Thales as an inflight entertainment supplier for more than a decade and now to equip its new A350-1000 aircraft with the latest AVANT Up IFE solution.
“Thales’ AVANT Up brings to Ethiopian the latest consumer technologies and capabilities to the aircraft. Combining our Optiq 4K QLED HDR displays, award-winning dynamic power, and next generation digital services will bring exceptional experiences to Ethiopian’s passengers.”
Photo: Vidit Luthra | Shutterstock
The inflight entertainment system has proved popular with other airlines in recent days. Emirates also announced it will equip its incoming Boeing 777X aircraft with the Thales AVANT Up product for deliveries beginning in 2025.