United Airlines has become the first airline in Americas to install Panasonic’s new Astrova in-flight engagement solution (IFE). United plans to install Astrova on select new Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft beginning in 2025.
The new agreement is an upgrade over the 2021 agreement to install Panasonic Avionics' X Series and NEXT IFE systems on both widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
Collectively, these agreements cover both line-fit and retrofit installations across United's fleet and are part of United Next. The United Next program includes seatback entertainment screens at every seat — first class has 13-inch monitors, while economy has 10-inch monitors, larger overhead bins, high speed Wi-Fi, USB outlets at every seat, Bluetooth audio connections for in-flight entertainment, and LED lighting throughout the cabin.
Mark Muren, Managing Director - Identity, Product, and Loyalty, United Airlines, said: "Our customers tell us that they want to be engaged, entertained and productive in the air. Our new partnership with Panasonic Avionics will make that possible and enable us to set a new standard of in-flight excellence as a key part of United Next. Together United and Panasonic will drive new standards of engagement when customers come onboard a United aircraft."
"Our partnership with United Airlines reflects our shared vision to take the passenger engagement to a whole new level," commented Ken Sain, CEO, Panasonic Avionics Corporation. "We are confident that Astrova will connect passengers to United more effectively than any other IFE solution, and we will continue to optimize passenger engagement with a cabin experience that keeps pace with innovation in the consumer technology space."
With this latest agreement around Astrova, United's program represents the largest ever investment in Panasonic Avionics' IFE by any airline.
Panasonic claims that Astrova's unique and modular architecture makes it easily upgradeable throughout its lifecycle, and with minimal re-certification efforts and costs.