Thales has released AVANT Up, the latest version of its Avant range of inflight entertainment (IFE) systems. The Up upgrades include a new line of displays, power supply options, personalisation and airline revenue generation capabilities.
A major development for Up is Optiq, an intelligent 4K high dynamic range (HDR) display enhanced with Samsung’s proprietary QLED technology. The in-seat and cabin displays, developed in partnership with Harman, a Samsung company, have a sleek passenger-centric design and picture quality featuring more than one billion colours. The units also have two Bluetooth connections and built-in wi-fi, which allows passengers to pair multiple devices simultaneously to the system.
Thales says that as well as an enhanced entertainment experience, airlines benefit from a reduced total cost of ownership, thanks to a lower acquisition cost, a claimed 30% weight reduction, 50% increase in reliability, and improved durability and serviceability.
Smart power management
PED devices are increasingly migrating to the USB power delivery standard, so Thales has introduced Pulse into the Up design, a modular system built with smart power management that dynamically allocates power where the passengers need it. The Pulse system is compact in size, providing a claimed 30% weight reduction, lower heat dissipation and the ability to install Pulse units between the seat beams.
Digital services
The open platform of Avant allows Thales to work with a network of partners to develop and deploy new applications for airline customers, which can offer passengers the latest features and a range of interactive entertainment options. Thales’ digital product portfolio features e-commerce capabilities through Airfree’s shopping platform, a multifaceted approach for delivering personalisation, and an advertising platform.
Customers can also specify Thales’ ‘Ready to Fly’ digital portfolio, which can meet passengers’ Covid concerns through features such as touchless control of IFE systems via mobile phones.
