Emirates continues roll-out of inflight product innovations

This new GUI is designed to make accessing Emirates’ inflight entertainment system, ice Digital Widescreen, simpler to use - information, communication and entertainment - all at the passenger’s fingertips.

The new interface will be introduced within two weeks across Emirates’ A380 fleet and subsequently over the next year across the majority of Emirates’ Boeing 777 aircraft. It will be available in all classes of service.  As the world’s largest operator of the A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, Emirates will upgrade all aircraft equipped with the Panasonic eX2 platform.

“Emirates has been tracking the commercial progress of GUIs, where an ever-expanding array of choices are available to consumers, and we wanted to bring the same experience, look, and feel available on smart phones and tablets to our loyal customers in an aircraft environment,” said Tim Clark, president Emirates airline. “Emirates has always been committed to continuous innovation of our ice systems and to providing our passengers with a unique and memorable onboard experience.”

“Subsequently, over the past 24 months working with our partner, Panasonic, Emirates has succeeded in creating a smart and simplified interface which will appeal to customers of all ages.”

Emirates will roll-out a number of additional inflight product enhancements across the next few months as part of a multi-million dollar investment in onboard technology. Larger video screens, in all classes, will come into operation from May on new Boeing 777 aircraft, in addition to future Airbus A380 deliveries. An enhanced in-seat telephone handset and new Mode Controller in First Class and Business Class will also be introduced.

Emirates say that the new GUI is unique to the airline and includes a wide range of advanced capabilities that enhances the distinctiveness and elegance of Emirates’ inflight system, ice Digital Widescreen. The new ice experience includes the capability for passengers to discover the full entertainment system by “swiping” or “scrolling” through the vast library of media and entertainment that is available on Emirates, send SMS and email messages, explore the moving map system, Airshow, watch the in-flight landscape cameras, and access live text news from the BBC.

"We are very honoured for the opportunity to work closely with the Emirates team to design and deliver this unique GUI which is simple yet elegant and caters for all ages,” said Paul Margis, chief executive officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “For many years, Panasonic and Emirates have shared a vision about the positive impact that IFEC can have on air travel, and we look forward to working with them on a unique, home-theater experience environment that ensures an amazing experience for their passengers.”

Since Emirates first introduced individual seatback video screens in 1992, it has invested millions of dollars in further onboard product enhancements, from the latest IFE technology, to an ever-increasing choice of entertainment content from around the world.

Every seat on all Emirates aircraft is already equipped with a seatback telephone and sms/email service and 90 aircraft feature the AeroMobile system, allowing passengers to use their own mobile phones inflight.

In another investment in the Emirates experience, Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers was introduced to the A380 fleet in December 2011 and is now available on 18 aircraft. All remaining Emirates A380s are due to have Wi-Fi installed this year and from July 2012 all new A380s will be delivered to Emirates with full Wi-Fi, mobile phone and data services available.