Ethiopian Airlines has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first airline in Africa to take delivery of the Airbus A350-1000, equipped with Thales’s cutting-edge AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system. This landmark event, celebrated in Toulouse, France, marks a new era of luxury and innovation in air travel for Ethiopian Airlines’ passengers.
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Ethiopian Airlines Soars to New Heights with Africa’s First A350-1000 Featuring Thales’s AVANT Up IFE
A New Era of Inflight Entertainment
The AVANT Up system is a game-changer in the aviation industry, offering passengers an unparalleled entertainment experience. It features the world’s first 4K QLED HDR Optiq displays, delivering stunning picture quality with over a billion vibrant colors. This technology ensures that passengers enjoy a truly immersive viewing experience, setting a new standard for inflight entertainment.
Connectivity and Convenience at 35,000 Feet
Passengers aboard Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-1000 can enjoy the convenience of two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi, allowing them to pair multiple devices simultaneously. Whether it’s streaming content or staying connected with loved ones, the AVANT Up system ensures a seamless digital experience. Additionally, Thales’s award-winning Pulse power management solution allows passengers to charge their phones and laptops, ensuring they arrive at their destination fully charged and relaxed.
A Decade-Long Partnership
The delivery of the A350-1000 with AVANT Up is a testament to the enduring partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Thales, which has spanned over a decade. This collaboration has consistently brought the latest consumer technologies to Ethiopian Airlines, enhancing the passenger journey and setting new benchmarks in the aviation industry.
A Vision for the Future
Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, expressed his excitement about this achievement: “Keeping our legacy as a pioneer in aviation technology in Africa, we are more than pleased to have our A350-1000, the first of its kind in Africa equipped with Thales’s AVANT Up Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, which also marks a first in the global aviation industry. Achieving these two milestones at once doubled our pleasure, and we look forward to more collaborations with Thales InFlyt Experience.”
Niels Steenstrup, Chief Executive Officer of Thales InFlyt Experience, echoed this sentiment: “At Thales, we are proud of our long-term partnership with Ethiopian and are delighted to have our AVANT Up system flying on the first A350-1000 in Africa. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the airline and creating new opportunities to bring exceptional experiences to Ethiopian and its passengers.”
Elevating the Passenger Experience
The AVANT Up system offers a wide range of digital services and applications, allowing Ethiopian Airlines to continually enhance the onboard experience. With its intuitive user interface and a rich catalogue of entertainment options, passengers can navigate effortlessly through a world of content, ensuring their journey is as enjoyable as their destination.
Ethiopian Airlines’ introduction of the A350-1000 with Thales’s AVANT Up IFE system is a significant step forward in redefining air travel in Africa. This innovative partnership not only elevates the passenger experience but also reinforces Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a leader in aviation technology. As the airline continues to expand its fleet and services, passengers can look forward to even more groundbreaking advancements in the future.
