In 2025, The United Airlines will begin deploying Panasonic Avionics’ seatback in-flight entertainment display.
- The backs of economy class airliner seats are outfitted with Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova in-flight entertainment system screens.
- The screens show a message that reads, “Welcome Aboard, relax, and enjoy your stay.” One tray is open, with an open laptop on top.
United Airlines has entered into an agreement with Panasonic Avionics that may make travelling in economy more tolerable. No, it will not miraculously make the seats broader or the leg room larger, but it will distract you with a larger, better in-flight entertainment display and — maybe more thrilling for some — Bluetooth.
The airline has announced that it would install around 300,000 Astrova in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens from Panasonic Avionics on select new Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
They are seatback displays with 4K OLED technology, which offers clearer visual quality and a higher contrast ratio than many other IFE systems. Astrova claims that their latest Bluetooth technology can also produce high fidelity 3D spatial audio.
Yep, you won’t need to use wired headphones anymore or bring one of those Bluetooth dongles just so you could use your wireless earbuds. Astrova also has USB-C connectors that can charge phones and tablets with 100 watts of DC power.
As Aviation Week notes, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR planes are part of United’s international fleet, but the airline will reportedly equip its domestic planes with Astrova IFE systems, as well.
The displays will be installed under the United Next program, which aims to put a seatback in-flight display at every seat. United plans to provide first class passengers access to 13-inch displays and passengers in economy with 10-inch IFE screens.
In their announcement, the companies said their agreement will allow United to upgrade the Astrova displays over the coming years. The IFE system uses a modular architecture with a removable peripheral bar that makes it easy to add newer technologies and update its Bluetooth or charging stations. No upgrade will be happening anytime soon, though — the airline isn’t scheduled to start installing the in-flight entertainment systems until 2025.
