Air India gets Thales inflight entertainment system
40 Boeing 777s and 787s to have new AVANT Up system
Air India, the leading global airline in India, has chosen Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) solution.
Renowned for boasting India’s largest international network and an extensive array of non-stop routes, Air India aims to deliver engaging and memorable experiences to its passengers through this collaboration.
The aviation technology giant is set to upgrade and retrofit Air India’s fleet of 40 Boeing 777s and 787s with the cutting-edge AVANT Up system, a process scheduled to commence in 2024 and conclude by 2025.
Additionally, the aviation technology giant will install AVANT Up IFE on Air India’s 11 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with deliveries slated to begin in 2025.
Thales has a longstanding relationship with Air India, contributing to the airline’s transformation and redefining the passenger entertainment experience.
Interactive 3D map
AVANT Up features an interactive 3D map and immersive route-based programming, offering passengers a truly enriched journey. Thales’ Select User Interface (UI) enhances passenger engagement, providing an intuitive user experience to navigate through a diverse catalogue of entertainment options.
At the core of AVANT Up is Thales’ Optiq, featuring 4K QLED HDR displays designed to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience in the air.
Optiq includes in-screen USB-A and USB-C high-speed charging ports and stands out as the only display with two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi.
Passengers can pair wireless headphones or other devices to the display while charging their phones and other digital devices.
Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President Avionics at Thales, expressed pride in deepening Thales’ partnership with Air India, delivering state-of-the-art AVANT Up technologies.
Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director for India at Thales highlighted India’s status as the fastest-growing global aviation market, emphasizing airlines’ potential to elevate the overall flying experience.
He expressed pleasure in supporting Air India’s ambition to provide a superior customer experience through the advanced AVANT Up inflight entertainment.
Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, affirmed the airline’s commitment to offering a world-class travel experience.
Dogra noted that partnering with Thales for the top-of-the-class AVANT Up inflight entertainment aligns with Air India’s transformation program, ensuring passengers enjoy a unique onboard entertainment system.
Thales, who has been present in India since 1953, operates in Noida and has offices in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
With over 2,000 employees, Thales plays a vital role in India’s growth story by sharing technologies and expertise in defence, transport, aerospace, and digital identity and security markets.
The company has two engineering competence centres in India, focusing on digital identity and security in Noida, and hardware, software, and systems engineering in Bengaluru, catering to both civil and defence sectors globally.
Featured image: AVANT Up’s core Optiq interface includes in-screen USB-A and USB-C high-speed charging ports. Image: ThalesTop of Form
