Emirates has introduced its new generation in-flight entertainment (IFE) system reaffirming its commitment to continual product enhancement. The latest features include larger screens in First Class and Economy Class and three times the media storage – offering passengers an even greater choice of content on board.
The new products can be found on Emirates’ newly-delivered Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft. Passengers travelling in First Class will have a more immersive viewing experience to look forward to with IFE screens increased from 27 to 32 inches – the 40% increase makes it the largest screen on any aircraft.
“We continually upgrade our fleet, as well as our products and services on board to ensure an unparalleled travel experience. In addition to the technology, Emirates also puts emphasis on curating our award-winning inflight entertainment system and we always aim to surpass industry benchmarks. Our new generation ice system elevates the viewing experience, and offers passengers the most comprehensive movie and TV selection on any airline,” said Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President – Customer Experience.
Economy Class passengers can also look forward to immersing themselves in Emirates’ selection of inflight programmes, with the industry’s largest in-seat screens at 13.3 inches. These can also be found on Emirates’ latest two-class configured A380. The Business Class screens, at 23 inches wide, remain one of the industry’s largest for its class.
With three times the media storage on the new IFE system, ice Digital Widescreen now has 2,186 channels of on-demand entertainment and 1,230 music channels which amounts to about 4,300 hours of entertainment. This includes over 50 full TV box sets and close to 600 movies. Reflecting Emirates’ global and diverse customer base, the enhanced system also features a multilingual interface in 14 languages.
This year, Emirates clinched its 11th consecutive SKYTRAX World Airline Awards for ‘World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment’.
Other new features on ice includes enhanced handset controllers, USB ports and PC power outlets on all seats across the three cabin classes to allow passengers to charge their own mobile phones and portable devices.
Connectivity on board
Emirates’ next generation IFE system is complemented with connectivity on board. The airline offers Wi-Fi on 142 aircraft, more than half of its fleet, and Live TV now on 75 aircraft. Emirates began offering free Wi-Fi on board last year and has invested US $15 million to offer its passengers data connectivity in 2015. From January to September this year, 2.6 million Emirates passengers connected to Wi-Fi on board – a four-fold increase from last year, reflecting the strong consumer demand for connectivity services while travelling.
Other product enhancements include new micro fibre optic carpet in the First Class cabin which helps to reduce the effects of jet lag, and private suites in the Centre aisle have been widened by 1.9 inches.
Emirates’ new generation in-flight entertainment system product enhancements at a glance:
- IFE screen in First Class increased from 27 inches to 32 inches
- IFE screen in Economy Class increased from 12.1 inches to 13.3 inches
- All PC power outlets equipped with HDMI & USB ports for charging of portable devices
- 3x media storage offering an even greater choice of content
- Enhanced handset controllers
- Personal video playback
- Multilingual interface in 14 languages
