Qatar Airways began flights between two of the world's energy capitals yesterday with passengers on the Doha-Houston flights experiencing the airline's newly launched Boeing 777 fully flat Business Class seat-cum-bed one of the latest designs on show at B/E Aerospace's Aircraft Interiors Expo stand in Hamburg, Germany.
The new Business Class seat developed for Oman Air by EADS Sogerma was rolled out at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The seat will help Oman Air to increase its long haul services.
European avionics and electronics giant Thales has thrown down the gauntlet to competitors Panasonic and Rockwell Collins, announcing a version of its TopSeries inflight entertainment system aimed specifically at the single-aisle market. Saudia are the launch customer showing that the Middle East truly is leading the in-flight experience revolution.
Rockwell Collins has landed orders from three airlines for more than 60 examples of its dPAVES digital broadcast IFE system, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
Germany's Case4de and the UK's Design Q have teamed up to produce the interior for Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud's A380 'Flying Palace'.
Abu Dhabi based Royal Jet, has announced what it describes as a 'world-first' by becoming the only private jet charter company to offer its guests a personal chef, providing them with bespoke gourmet dining based on their own individual preferences.
Emirates has unveiled its dedicated technology and entertainment corner called e-zone, located in the business class lounge at Dubai International's Terminal 3.
Aircell struck deals with Air Canada and Delta Air Lines recently to provide its Gogo Internet service, which allows passengers to use Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs throughout flights. In September, Air Canada signed an agreement with Aircell to roll out its Gogo system on select flights next spring. The carrier plans to begin installing the system on A319s flying to the US and eventually on aircraft covering its North American and international markets.
Boeing has been forced to drop its plans for a wireless IFE system on the 787 after it was found that regulatory issues would preclude the system's being activated over certain countries. Problems also were encountered with bandwidth limitations in some areas as well as weight. The silver lining is that the change will save 150 lb. In October Boeing acknowledged some problems with the 787's weight and delivery schedule ( ATWOnline, Oct. 26, 2006), forcing it to raise R&D spending to support suppliers.
