- Ethiopian Airlines is the first airline in Africa to receive an Airbus A350-1000 equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system.
- The AVANT Up system includes the industry’s first 4K Optiq HDR QLED displays, delivering a superior in-flight viewing experience with unmatched picture quality and over a billion vibrant colors.
- Passengers will benefit from two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi, allowing multiple devices to be paired to the system simultaneously.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 8, 2024-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Today in Toulouse, Ethiopian Airlines and Thales celebrated the delivery of this airline’s first A350-1000, which is also the first in Africa to be equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. This marks the beginning of a new era of in-flight entertainment for Ethiopian Airlines passengers.
The partnership between Thales and Ethiopian Airlines dates back more than a decade. By integrating the latest consumer technologies and capabilities into its A350-1000 aircraft with Thales’ AVANT Up, the airline will enhance its passengers’ experience.
The AVANT Up system includes Optiq 4K QLED HDR displays designed to deliver an immersive in-flight viewing experience, with unparalleled picture quality and over a billion vibrant colors. Passengers will navigate through the rich catalog of entertainment using Thales’ intuitive user interface. Its Optiq display, featuring dual Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi, will allow passengers to pair their devices with the display while charging their phones and laptops using the award-winning power management solution.
the Thales Pulse power supply. They will arrive at their destination entertained, completely recharged and relaxed.
The system offers a wide range of digital services and applications that enable Ethiopian to uniquely configure and continuously improve its passengers’ experience.
“True to our heritage as a pioneer of aviation technology in Africa, we are delighted that our A350-1000, the first of its kind in Africa, is equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, which also a first in the global aeronautical industry. Reaching these two milestones at the same time has doubled our satisfaction and we look forward to working with Thales InFlyt Experience again.”, said Mesfin Tasew, Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines Group.
“At Thales, we are proud of our long-lasting collaboration with Ethiopian and we are delighted to see our AVANT Up system flying on the first A350-1000 in Africa. We look forward to expanding this collaboration and creating new opportunities to deliver exceptional experiences for Ethiopian and its passengers,” said Niels Steenstrup, Managing Director of Thales InFlyt Experience.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for Thales.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in high technologies specializing in three business sectors: Defense & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital Identity.
It develops products and solutions that contribute to a safer, more environmentally friendly and more inclusive world.
The Group invests nearly 4 billion euros per year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas of innovation such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum, cloud technologies and 6G.
Thales has nearly 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group achieved a turnover of 18.4 billion euros.
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Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-11-08 08:44:00
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**Interview with Mesfin Tasew, Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines Group**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mesfin. It’s an exciting time for Ethiopian Airlines with the recent delivery of the A350-1000, Africa’s first. Can you tell us more about what this milestone means for Ethiopian Airlines?
**Tasew:** Thank you for having me. This delivery is indeed a historic moment for us and for African aviation as a whole. As pioneers in the industry, we are proud to introduce the A350-1000 equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system. It represents our commitment to providing world-class services and a premium travel experience for our passengers.
**Editor:** The AVANT Up system seems to offer some cutting-edge features, such as the 4K Optiq HDR QLED displays. How do you believe these technologies will enhance the passenger experience?
**Tasew:** The AVANT Up system fundamentally transforms in-flight entertainment. With unmatched picture quality, vibrant colors, and an intuitive user interface, our passengers will enjoy a truly immersive viewing experience. Additionally, features like dual Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi allow multiple devices to be paired simultaneously, enabling passengers to stay connected and entertained in ways we haven’t seen in the African aviation market before.
**Editor:** That sounds fantastic! Can you share more about the focus on passenger comfort and convenience with this aircraft?
**Tasew:** Absolutely! We are dedicated to our passengers’ comfort. The A350-1000 is designed with spacious interiors, advanced air quality systems, and the Thales Pulse power supply, allowing passengers to charge their devices while they enjoy their in-flight experience. Our goal is that by the time they arrive at their destination, they feel recharged and ready for their journey ahead.
**Editor:** You mentioned the long-standing partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Thales. How has this collaboration evolved over the years, and what are your future plans?
**Tasew:** Our partnership with Thales spans over a decade, and it has been instrumental in elevating our service offerings. Together, we’ve integrated the latest consumer technologies, which continuously enhance the travel experience. Looking ahead, we aim to innovate further and explore new opportunities to bring even more exceptional services to our passengers.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mesfin, for sharing these insights. The future looks bright for Ethiopian Airlines, and we can’t wait to see how the A350-1000 transforms air travel in Africa.
**Tasew:** Thank you! We’re excited about the journey ahead and are committed to leading the way in African aviation.
