Inflight Entertainment to Capture Passengers' Imagination

HAMBURG, Germany, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Faster, lighter and easier to install inflight entertainment (IFE) innovations are expected to be a major draw for visitors to next week's Aircraft Interiors Expo, which takes place at the Hamburg Messe from 27-29 March.

Lufthansa Systems will showcase its next generation IFE solution, called BoardConnect. The system is based on a WiFi network which passengers log on to through seat-back screens or their own personal electronic devices such as laptops, tablet PCs or smart phones to access a wide range of content. While the installation of conventional IFE systems requires extensive downtime for the aircraft, BoardConnect can be fitted during routine overnight layovers or maintenance checks; lengthy cables and some other components have been eliminated making the solution lighter. For an Airbus A340-600 with 380 seats, this would offer a weight-saving of around 900 kg, equivalent to the weight of nine passengers.

Another solution for passengers' personal electronic devices aims to plug a gap for IFE demand on short haul, narrowbody aircraft flights. A stand-alone wireless delivery solution, called WiPAX, from Lumexis has been developed in response to this need. It is anticipated that a popular use for it will be providing HDTV to big screens in First and Business Class cabins while simultaneously delivering full‐cabin wireless data to every Economy Class passengers' personal electronic device.

Intelligent Avionics will be presenting the latest addition to its seat-centric IFE system, AURA Works. AURA One, a lightweight, fast and inexpensive way to replace an aircraft's analogue systems with cutting edge digital IFE. It promises airlines better-quality video and audio for passengers as well as a broader range of content and services without the need to change existing overhead screens or wiring.

Also debuting in Hamburg this year are new features to Thales' award-winning TopSeries AVANT System. This seat-centric IFE system will be displayed with new hand gesture control technology providing an easy way to select and navigate through entertainment options with simply the wave of a hand; there's no need to reach for a handset or to lean forward and touch a screen, passengers can just sit back and wave their hand in front of the seat display.

Listen to John Hyde, Aircraft Interiors Expo Exhibition Director, talking about this year's exhibition at http://www.thepmeinterview.com

For further information contact Victoria Bailey at CMS Strategic on Tel: +44(0)20-8748-9797 or email [email protected]

SOURCE Aircraft Interiors Expo