United Airlines has partnered with Panasonic Avionics to revolutionize the flying experience by introducing upgraded in-flight entertainment options for passengers.
While it won't magically increase seat width or legroom, United is focusing on captivating travelers with larger, sharper, and more advanced seatback displays, along with the addition of Bluetooth technology, per Endgadget's report.
In-Flight Entertainment Displays For Passengers
Under this collaboration, United Airlines plans to install nearly 300,000 units of Panasonic Avionics' Astrova in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens on their new Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft. These seatback displays utilize 4K OLED technology, which can be compared to watching movies on a high-quality, vibrant TV screen at home. The result is crisper images, better colors, and an overall enhanced visual experience for passengers.
However, the exciting news doesn't stop there. United Airlines is also equipping the Astrova IFE system with Bluetooth capabilities, allowing travelers to connect their wireless earbuds directly to their screens. It's like being able to enjoy your favorite music or movies on the flight without any messy wires or additional adapters.
Moreover, the Astrova displays come equipped with USB-C ports that provide fast charging capabilities for passengers' phones and tablets. This ensures that your devices stay powered up throughout the journey, without the worry of running out of battery life.
Initially, United Airlines plans to install these upgraded in-flight entertainment systems on their international fleet, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR planes, according to Aviation Week. However, they also intend to extend this enhancement to their domestic flights.
The United Next program, which aims to provide seatback displays for every passenger, will offer first-class travelers access to impressive 13-inch screens, while economy-class passengers will have 10-inch screens at their disposal.
Related Article: United Airlines Goes Wireless with New Bluetooth Connectivity Now Available Aboard Boeing 737 Max Jets
More Room For Improvement
The collaboration between United Airlines and Panasonic Avionics ensures that the Astrova displays can be upgraded and improved in the future. It's like having a versatile device that can adapt to newer technologies as they emerge. This flexibility is possible due to the modular architecture of the IFE system, which allows for the easy integration of newer features and updates, such as Bluetooth enhancements and charging stations.
"This unlocks the ability for United to quickly adopt the technology and capabilities passengers expect and use in their daily lives. Astrova also offers significant weight savings compared to other seat-end architectures, which will help United to reduce fuel burn," Panasonic said per Travel Weekly.
While the installation of these advanced in-flight entertainment systems is not expected to begin until 2025, this exciting development showcases United Airlines' commitment to enhancing the overall travel experience for its passengers. The combination of larger, sharper screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and convenient charging options will undoubtedly make flying more enjoyable, especially for those in economy class.
If the United planes have in-flight entertainment screens, the electric vehicles have an infotainment display which is already present in some advanced cars such as Mercedes-Benz EQS EV and Nissan Altima 2023.
