Boeing signs for in-flight entertainment

Boeing has selected Thales' TopSeries in-flight entertainment system for the new B787 aircraft.

Boeing has selected Thales' TopSeries in-flight entertainment system for the new B787 aircraft.

The recently signed agreement between the two companies confirms that Boeing will list Thales as a recommended IFE supplier in its B787 catalogue.

Thales is the first recommended in-flight entertainment provider for the all-new 787.

The Thales system is called the TopSeries i-8000.

This system maintains many of the features of the Thales i-4000 video and audio on-demand system, but it is designed to use a wireless network throughout the aircraft for increased flexibility and weight savings.

"By working with our airline customers to understand their in-flight entertainment needs, we clearly identified many tangible benefits of a wireless system", said Mike Bair, Vice President and General Manager of the 787 programme.

"Customers will be more comfortable as we are eliminating much of the equipment that typically is housed under their seats".

A prototype system will be built and demonstrated to Boeing in late 2006.

Then, in 2007, a new engineering lab with a 270-seat configuration will be built at the Thales facility in Irvine, California.

After lab testing, the system is scheduled to ship to Seattle where it will be installed into a B787 flight test aircraft for further testing.

"Our relationship with Boeing continues to expand".

"Thales anticipates that the B787 Dreamliner will be a strong selling aircraft and the TopSeries will be a perfect complement", said Brad Foreman, Vice President and General Manager for Thales' Inflight Entertainment business.

Back to top