Emirates began flying its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft, equipped with a new generation of inflight entertainment (IFE) powered by Thales’s AVANT Up system. The new plane is equipped with Thales’s AVANT Up system, bringing passengers a faster, more personalized, and tech-forward entertainment experience. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s new and how it affects your flight.
The aircraft, which flew from Dubai to Edinburgh, features Thales’s cutting-edge AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system, marking a major leap forward in in-flight technology and passenger comfort. With over 30 new features and many more in the pipeline, this partnership promises to redefine how passengers engage with entertainment and connectivity while traveling at 35,000 feet.
4K Displays and Smooth Navigation.
“Thales is honored to celebrate alongside Emirates the airline’s first A350 taking flight. We are excited for Emirates passengers to experience the next-generation of in-flight entertainment on ice powered by AVANT Up,” said Niels Steenstrup, Chief Executive of Thales InFlyt Experience. “We are proud to partner with Emirates in their mission to fly better. Together, we accelerate the future of IFE to constantly elevate the benchmark of inflight experience.”
4K Displays and Smooth Navigation
The A350-900’s AVANT Up system comes with 4K QLED HDR screens that deliver high-quality visuals, offering a cinematic experience while you’re in the air. These screens are ultra-responsive, making it easy to navigate through the vast library of content. With the option to connect two Bluetooth devices at once, you can pair your headphones and another device—whether it’s a tablet or gaming controller.
Additionally, there’s in-seat Wi-Fi and up to 60W of charging capacity, so your devices stay powered up for the whole flight.
Personalized Passenger Experience
One of the standout features of the AVANT Up system is its ability to create a personalized experience for every passenger. Upon logging into the system at their seat, passengers can save their entertainment preferences, ensuring they can pick up where they left off on their last flight. The system also curates content recommendations based on viewing history, making it easier to discover new shows or movies that match individual tastes.
This personalization extends beyond just content. Passengers will receive tailored information, including real-time details about connecting gates, personalized flight updates, and other relevant travel notifications. This evolving personalization is set to expand as the system is further updated, allowing Emirates to continue refining and enhancing the onboard experience over time.
Event-Based Live TV and Short-Format Content
For those who want to stay connected with live events, the A350-900 will feature event-based live TV, offering content such as sports, news, and other live broadcasts. This allows passengers to stay engaged with ongoing events during their flight, a feature that aligns with broader trends in air travel where connectivity and real-time information are becoming increasingly important.
Additionally, Emirates has introduced iceMoments, a new format for watching content in shorter video clips. This is designed for passengers who may prefer quick, digestible pieces of content during their flight, whether it’s a highlight reel from a sporting event or a short TV episode. The system includes smart search and navigation tools to help passengers easily browse through content and find what best suits their time and preferences.
Accessibility Features for All Passengers
Recognizing the diverse needs of its passengers, Emirates has also focused on improving accessibility with the new IFE system. The user interface (UI) supports audio-cue navigation, voice feedback, and intuitive touch gestures, providing a smoother experience for passengers with vision impairments or other accessibility needs. The system also offers a broad selection of audio-descriptive content, enabling passengers with visual disabilities to enjoy movies, shows, and other entertainment in a way that’s more inclusive.
These improvements reflect the ongoing efforts within the aircraft interior industry to make inflight experiences more accessible for a wider range of passengers, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to cater to all travelers’ needs.
The AVANT Up system isn’t static. Emirates and Thales plan to roll out more features in the coming months, continuously updating the system to make the flying experience even more personalized and efficient.
