Panasonic Avionics today announced an agreement at AIX 2023 with United Airlines for its new Astrova in-flight engagement solution, making United its first customer for Astrova in the Americas.
Panasonic Avionics says that, with this latest agreement around Astrova, United’s programme represents the largest ever investment in Panasonic Avionics’ IFE by any airline. The carrier is planning to install the solution on select new Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft beginning in 2025.
The airline has previously committed to install Panasonic Avionics’ X Series and NEXT IFE systems on both widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
These agreements cover both line-fit and retrofit installations across United’s fleet. They are part of United Next, an initiative to enhance passenger experience on narrowbody aircraft operating in domestic and short-haul international markets. The programme includes seatback entertainment screens at every seat.
Mark Muren, Managing Director – Identity, Product, and Loyalty at United Airlines, says: “Our customers tell us that they want to be engaged, entertained and productive in the air. Our new partnership with Panasonic Avionics will make that possible and enable us to set a new standard of in-flight excellence as a key part of United Next. Together United and Panasonic will drive new standards of engagement when customers come onboard a United aircraft.”
According to Panasonic Avionics, Astrova is the first IFE solution to offer 4K OLED technology. The company says image quality is sharper and clearer, with an infinite contrast ratio, and the solution delivers cinema-grade colours and the perfect black and creates a fully immersive experience for passengers with high fidelity 3D spatial audio delivered by Panasonic Avionics’ latest Bluetooth technology. United’s passengers will also be offered up to 100 W of DC power via USB-C at their seat.
Ken Sain, CEO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, says: “Our partnership with United Airlines reflects our shared vision to take the passenger engagement to a whole new level. We are confident that Astrova will connect passengers to United more effectively than any other IFE solution, and we will continue to optimise passenger engagement with a cabin experience that keeps pace with innovation in the consumer technology space.
“Panasonic Avionics will perpetually update the passenger experience, introducing new products that bring enormous value and a major competitive advantage to United Airlines.”
