Page 57 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017 Online Magazine

INSIDE VIEW

and the installation will be completed on is now moving towards a more connected requirements, which are growing so rapidly
these aircraft first. Following integration of experience with the IFE and the choice of that the technology struggles to keep up.
SKYfi Club, passengers on the aircraft will Near Field Connect (NFC), Bluetooth, etc., to Keeping up with the technologies will be
be able stream content on their personal connect to a personal device to the screen a real technical challenge. Once a system
electronic devices. SKYfi Club will stream will drive a transformation in IFE. It will allow is on an airplane, the airlines try to extract
content into the personal electronic devices passengers to have a more personalised and seven to ten years out of the system, driven
(PEDs), that passengers will bring aboard, unique experience with their seat and this is more by the schedule to replace seats or
providing access to movies, e-books and a trend which will continue to grow. Business refurbish the cabin, rather than replacing the
magazines. Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) Class products will continue to make the IFE system. A typical IFE system across all
has been selected as the technology partner transition to even larger high-definition (HD) suppliers and across the industry, used to get
for KID-Systeme’s SKYfi Club platform, and screen sizes with even more ways to interact changed out every seven to ten years. Now
Saudia has branded the offering as “SAUDIA from personal screen to the IFE device. however, new IFE technology is being rolled-
SKYfi. “KID-Systeme was among the first Weight is also now an important aspect as; out every 24-36 months.
original equipment manufacturers to benefit today’s IFE systems are roughly 1/4th of the
from GEE’s agnostic approach to deliver the weight (or less) compared to IFE systems
most advanced products and services to the available just a decade ago. Entire IFE
IFE community,” said Walé Adepoju, executive systems along with their cables today weigh
vice president, media and content, for GEE, around 300 kg, while in the early 90’s, just
on its selection by Saudia. The technology is the head end-end alone weighed nearly 500
based on the trusted ALNA (Airline Network kgs. Today’s IFE systems are much lighter
Architecture) connectivity platform. and have less cabling, but also have a lesser Middle Eastern airlines have
impact on the airframe making the task of quickly established their premium
In-Flight Entertainment Trends installation and upgrades easier. An issue cabin offerings. The Business Class
The requirements from a full-service carrier with IFE installations will be the technical cabin on Qatar Airways has been
award winning cabin product for
for IFE on its Business and First Class product challenge of dramatic growth in bandwidth the airline
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