07 Apr 2016 10:30
Etihad Airways has been presented with the award for ‘Best IFE/Connectivity Launch by an Airline 2016’ by leading industry magazine PAX International. The awards ceremony took place at the Aircraft Interiors Expo held in Hamburg, Germany.
The
airline won the award based on the high levels of technology and innovation of
its E-BOX inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system and the content
offered on its global route network. The accolade adds to a string of awards
collected by the airline over the past year for its superior IFEC services,
including Inflight magazine’s Airline of the Year award 2015, PAX International magazine’s award for Best New IFE/Connectivity
Launch 2015, Inflight magazine’s Best Airline In-Flight
Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) provider for the Middle East 2016, and
the World Travel Award for Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment.
Shane
O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Marketing, said: “This award, voted by PAX International’s
readers over a six-month period, is recognition of Etihad Airways’ commitment
to ensure our guests continue to enjoy cutting-edge IFE technology and the
latest communications solutions on all our aircraft.”
Etihad
Airways operates a fully connected fleet of modern Airbus and Boeing long-haul
wide-body and short-haul narrow-body aircraft.
The
airline’s Live TV service is available on 50 wide-body aircraft, bringing
quality content from seven television channels including BBC World News, Sport
24 and CNN, the top three most viewed channels, and CNBC, euronews, Japan’s NHK
World Premium and Sky News Arabia.
Etihad
Airways has also introduced its latest next-generation E-BOX personal entertainment
offering using the Panasonic eX3 interactive system, and was the first airline
to install the cutting-edge IFE system on an Airbus A380. All A380s and Boeing
787s in the fleet will be equipped with Panasonic eX3. The system provides
hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment viewed on high definition,
capacitive touch, in-seat monitors ranging from 11.1 inches in Economy Class,
18 inches in Business Class, 24 inches in First Class and 32 inches in The
Residence.
Other
enhanced features include video touch screen handsets, improved gaming,
shopping and entertainment solutions, 3D moving maps, an Aeroreader document
viewer and a new Graphical User Interface (GUI) for younger guests.
Etihad
Airways continues to pioneer the use of new and innovative products in its
mission to reimagine the modern flying experience. The airline’s acclaimed A380
flagship fleet features The Residence and First Apartments, a dedicated team of
in-flight hospitality specialists including Butlers trained by the legendary
Savoy hotel in London, qualified Inflight Chefs in First Class, Food and
Beverage Managers in Business Class, and Norland College trained Flying
Nannies. A collection of signature lounges is operated worldwide, providing the
levels of service found at the world’s best hotels. Etihad Airways’ investment
in cutting edge IFE and connectivity systems is a key component of this
mission.