Qatar Airways chooses Astrova IFE for its Boeing 777x fleet

Qatar Airways has signed a deal with Panasonic Avionics for the company’s brand-new in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution Astrova.

Panasonic Avionics says Astrova is designed to enhance passenger engagement and drive operational efficiency. The carrier’s Boeing 777x aircraft is the first aircraft type to feature the new innovative IFE solution.

Astrova demonstrates the company’s new approach to the market by helping airlines achieve a powerful and targeted way of engaging with their passengers through IFE. Panasonic Avionics says that airlines will also benefit from faster on-wing upgrades and maintenance, commonality in media loading, spares and repairs, and significant weight reductions compared to other seat-end architectures.

Astrova features a cinema-grade 4K OLED with High Dynamic Range experience and Qatar’s customers will have 22-inch screens in Business Class and 13-inch in economy with stunning visuals.

Astrova’s video performance is complemented by Panasonic Avionics’ high-fidelity audio, which will deliver high-definition sound over both traditional wired connections and Panasonic Avionics’ award-winning Bluetooth technology.

The monitor is a singular design featuring gentle curve and soft rounded touchpoints that invite passengers to engage in Qatar’s entertainment and brand experience. It also offers programmable LED lighting that enables airlines to optimise the cabin environment to complement various phases of flight with animated sequences synchronised to improve the passenger experience and reduce eye strain.

Panasonic Avionics says the key hardware and software components for the platform have been designed to evolve over time to meet changing market requirements and satisfy ever-increasing passenger expectations. This helps ensure that travellers will always be able to seamlessly interface their personal devices to the IFE system to create the same omnichannel, multiscreen, multi-purpose environment which they are accustomed to at home.

For example, a removable peripheral bar ensures that Astrova can easily evolve to allow people to interact with the solution over time. This means that passengers will always be able to fast charge their devices with USB power even if new power requirements are introduced. In addition, this key feature means that passengers will be able to connect headphones or devices even if Bluetooth technologies or standards change.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “We are pleased that Qatar Airways, one of the premier airlines in the world, has chosen Astrova for its fleet of 777x aircraft. Using our IFE innovation, Qatar Airways can leverage the latest consumer innovations to deliver unique passenger experiences to drive higher Net Promotor Scores, enhance passenger engagement, increase revenue, and achieve even greater operational efficiencies through IFE. We are very honoured to launch this exciting new product and for Qatar to be the first to sign as the launch customer for the 777x aircraft type.”

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker commented: “Panasonic Avionics Corporation has a long history of building market-leading IFE solutions, and today, we are excited to unveil that Qatar Airways will be the launch customer of the new Astrova screens onboard our fleet of Boeing 777x. Our partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing a second to none customer experience. This industry-leading solution will provide our passengers with a cinema-grade, 4K OLED clarity that will captivate them when watching our latest blockbusters using Oryx One IFE system.”