MEDIAS
NEWS - Press releases
AirAsia X takes delivery of its first A330-300 with the Thales IFE system
18 novembre 2008
Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems (IFE), announced that today its TopSeries system successfully flew on the AirAsia X maiden flight from Toulouse to Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia X is a Malaysian based long-haul, low-cost airline that initially selected Thales for its fleet of 15 A330s and then later exercised the option to include 10 more A330 aircraft.
The airline's In-Flight Entertainment offering provides a wide selection of movies, music and games all available through an 8.9 inch touch screen display at each seat. AirAsia X also has equipped each seat with a USB connection for personal electronic devices and in-seat power for laptops. The airline views their new IFE system as a way to provide what passengers want while at the same time generating revenue during flight. The airline will offer services on a pay-per-use basis and will also deploy targeted advertising and onboard retail shopping in the near future.
Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems (IFE), announced that today its TopSeries system successfully flew on the AirAsia X maiden flight from Toulouse to Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia X is a Malaysian based long-haul, low-cost airline that initially selected Thales for its fleet of 15 A330s and then later exercised the option to include 10 more A330 aircraft.
The airline's In-Flight Entertainment offering provides a wide selection of movies, music and games all available through an 8.9 inch touch screen display at each seat. AirAsia X also has equipped each seat with a USB connection for personal electronic devices and in-seat power for laptops. The airline views their new IFE system as a way to provide what passengers want while at the same time generating revenue during flight. The airline will offer services on a pay-per-use basis and will also deploy targeted advertising and onboard retail shopping in the near future.
"We are thrilled to cooperate with Thales on Xcite, the new In-Flight entertainment system for AirAsia X's brand new Airbus A330. This cooperation reflects the coming together of two leaders in their respective areas - AirAsia X as the pioneer in low-cost long-haul services globally and Thales, the world's leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems. Xcite came about as the result of an in-depth study done on guests' needs and requirements for In-Flight Entertainment. It perfectly suits AirAsia X's low-cost long-haul model by its simplified functions and reliable quality. In fact, Xcite is more than just In-Flight Entertainment as it facilitates other in-flight service functions such as ordering of meals and makes our cabin management more efficient," said Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X.
Beyond IFE, AirAsia X selected Thales for cockpit avionics which includes a Flight Management System and Terrain and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (T2CAS) and Mode S. In addition, the airline will soon install the Thales TopFlight swift broadband SATCOM system for connectivity capability in both the cockpit and cabin. In partnership with On Air, Thales will provide a suite of services that allow passengers to access the internet and use their mobile phones during flight. Thales will also support AirAsia X with after sale repair and maintenance via an avionics repair by-the-hour offering and an IFE turnkey maintenance program called TopCare.
"The comprehensive Thales package AirAsia X selected will play an important role in both passenger and crew satisfaction. We look forward to fulfilling the delivery schedule and supporting the airline for years to come," said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales's In- Flight Entertainment business.
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to
support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.
For more information about Thales In-Flight Entertainment Systems visit www.thales-ifs.com.
About AirAsia X
AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia with shareholders including Virgin Group, is a new long-haul, low-cost airline that launched in January 2007. Having franchised its brand from AirAsia, AirAsia X's business model is built on sustainable and continued delivery of everyday low fares. AirAsia X aims to cover destinations which are more than four hours in flight duration from Kuala Lumpur, complementing the existing AirAsia network and offering daily point-to-point flights to popular locations in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Europe.