Hawaiian Airlines has selected Panasonic’s eX2 audio/video-on-demand system for installation in ten new Airbus A330-200s. The US carrier is due receive the first of the aircraft, fitted with 305 seats in two classes, next year.
The announcement is the latest in a good run for No 1 IFE supplier Panasonic. The company is also equipping the A330-300s that Singapore Airlines will introduce on regional routes from the end March (Inflight Online yesterday), and last month it revealed an order from China Southern Airlines for eX2 to equip five Airbus A380s.
The Hawaiian installations will have an iPod capability similar to that of the Singapore A330s. Alongside the in-seat screens will be iPod, audio and USB ports to allow passengers to play their own content on the aircraft system. Panasonic says that the Hawaiian implementation will also support connectivity, shopping, over 200 games, films and television programming (complimentary or pay-per-view depending on class), and one-touch communication with the cabin staff.
The reference to connectivity could be significant. Panasonic offers eXphone integration with the AeroMobile onboard cellphone service, and is also due this year to introduce its long delayed eXconnect Ku-band satellite broadband service with an unnamed North American airline.
Hawaiian has also selected Panasonic’s OneMedia inflight advertising sales service for use with eX2. OneMedia is designed to record and report on viewing of online advertisements. Hawaiian will be able to select and track the response to advertisements tailored to particular passenger demographics. “OneMedia gives us an excellent opportunity to generate ancillary revenue with targeted messages and personalised content,” comments Hawaiian corporate communications VP Keoni Wagner.
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