In-flight entertainment and communication systems company Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced agreements with both Iraqi Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia). The Saudi national carrier also plans to offer a broadband solution from satcoms giant Inmarsat.
For Iraqi Airways Panasonic will provide in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) in its new fleet of 21 narrowbody and ten widebody aircraft. They will be line-fitted with Panasonic’s X Series IFE solutions and are expected to enter service in October 2022.
The airline’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet, which will feature the eX1 narrowbody IFE solution, also offers Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight Wi-Fi service.
Panasonic Avionics’ IFEC solutions are also being fitted to Iraqi Airways’ new fleet of five Airbus A220 aircraft. Panasonic is installing its eXW solution, which delivers a wide range of content to passengers’ personal electronic devices, along with its in-flight Wi-Fi service.
The B787 aircraft, meanwhile, will receive the eX3 in-flight system and global high-speed connectivity services.
For Saudia, Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT IFE system will be installed on 20 new Airbus A321neo and 15 Airbus A321neoXLR aircraft. Saudia will also feature Bluetooth audio streaming, allowing Saudia’s guests to unlock entertainment options safely using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
And that’s not the only in-flight connectivity deal involving the Saudi Arabian national carrier. Its upcoming fleet of 35 Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321XLR aircraft will offer the GX Aviation high-speed inflight broadband solution from global mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat.
The aircraft will connect to GX Aviation using an ultra-high-performance terminal from GDC Advanced Technology, a leader in engineering and technical services, modifications and electronic systems.
Once the service is live, passengers will be able to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media, shop online and more during flights using their own personal devices.
GDC Advanced Technology will produce and install GX Aviation’s next-generation terminal, with a robust flat panel antenna developed by Thinkom.
The GDC Advanced Technology terminal’s performance is being boosted further by continued enhancements to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network.
GX5 is the latest satellite in this network to enter commercial service. It will provide Saudia with significant layered capacity and network redundancy over the Middle East and Europe, which forms one of the world’s busiest travel corridors.