EgyptAir Taps Next-gen IFE from Panasonic Avionics for A350 Fleet

EgyptAir’s newest aircraft entered service last month flying the newest inflight entertainment offering from Panasonic Avionics. The solution brings a modular, easily managed interface and increased engagement options to the seat-back screens, along with high quality visuals from nose-to-tail.

The integration of the Astrova and NEXT systems on our A350-900 ensures that every traveler, whether in Business or Economy class, enjoys world-class connectivity and cinema-quality visuals. From the immersive 3D maps for adults to the ‘Young Explorers’ experience for our junior travelers, we are committed to making every EgyptAir flight a memorable one.

– Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman & CEO, EGYPTAIR Holding

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EgyptAir is the first carrier to fly globally* with the Modular Interactive content management solution in play. Modular Interactive moves management of the IFE user experience into the hands of the airline, allowing direct control over layouts, themes, and style elements, rather than depending on the IFE vendor and the associated long lead times and high costs. Airlines using MI Studio can independently define and deploy different design styles, color palettes, branding assets, apps, and service activations, giving them increased autonomy to build and refine new experiences.

Passengers on EgyptAir’s new A350-900 aircraft will also have the opportunity to engage with Panasonic Avionics’ Arc 3D in-flight map platform. Arc offers high-resolution 3D visuals and immersive engagement, along with multiple “skins” for different views of the journey.

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EgyptAir enabled “dino mode” for younger travelers, allowing kids to explore as a Quetzalcoatlus (no word if a pronunciation tutorial is included) while displaying dinosaurs that once inhabited the regions currently being flown over. More than just entertainment, the view adds education by allowing young passengers learn about each dinosaur’s characteristics, behaviors, and background.

The carrier will also activate Arc Vistas, which provides immersive and cinematic views of the world directly from the Arc map 3D engine. Arc Vistas can be accessed interactively by passengers or utilized in a relaxing screen-saver mode. Ultimately, the map is used as a pathway to inflight engagement, not just information display.

Finally, EgyptAir also selected Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight Marketplace solution to enhance revenue generation and passenger engagement. The ecommerce platform will be integrated into the IFEC experience, providing a seamless interface with easy navigation for passengers that want to make purchases during their flight.

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Additional customization and personalization options are enabled via the Modular Interactive platform and PAC’s extensible architecture, allowing connectivity to third party solutions, including marketing and loyalty programs.

Split Hardware Configuration

Passengers in business class will be treated to PAC’s newest Astrova screens, offering 4K OLED displays on the most powerful platform the company has developed to date. Economy class passengers still get 4K screens, but from the company’s NEXT product line, one generation older than the Astrova kit. All screens on board offer Bluetooth pairing for personal headphones.

The airline’s A350 fleet is also equipped with Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight connectivity solutions via its global Ku-band satellite network. This enables EgyptAir’s passengers to stay connected throughout their journey, while supporting a consistent, end-to-end digital experience onboard.

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* At one point Riyadh Air was tipped to be the launch customer for this feature. It is still awaiting its 787s, however, so it no longer gets to be first to fly.