Delivering extra everything – from sketches and code to a custom IFE system
All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Japan has a new cabin system for entertainment, service and shopping that’s as easy to use as it is advanced, thanks to comprehensive behind-the-scenes work. Tactel developed, built and designed the system from scratch.
Why settle for less than … everything? When ANA hired us to produce the next generation of cabin entertainment, they wanted a clean, user-friendly and simultaneously complex system that could do everything. They got it. The system had its premiere on a flight between Tokyo and London last summer. Ever since, passengers on ANA’s long-haul planes have been able to experience a unique, digital offering.
Image by ANA
On large touch screens in the seat, travelers can buy products from the shop, adjust the seat, choose the lighting’s strength and color tone and even chat with fellow passengers. Or how about watching live TV, read the news, listen to music or check out the latest magazines and manga series?
Image by ANA
There’s also a handheld controller that makes it possible to browse other features while the big monitor shows a chosen film or program.
Image by ANA / Tactel
For those who want to explore the entertainment options before boarding, they can download the ANA app – and use it on board as a remote control. First-class passengers can also lie down in bed and enjoy the view on a personal, 43-inch monitor.
A complete supplier from start to finish
Through innovation workshops, design iterations and a development project, Tactel created and refined the system in close and effective collaboration with ANA in Tokyo and in Panasonic’s California test lab. On the technical side, it’s been exciting to custom make a flexible foundation that can communicate with dozens of behind-the-scenes systems. Because we developed the code and design in-house, we were able to test, redo, test and polish to perfection.
Image by ANA
Today, you’ll find the new system on ANA’s long-haul flights with Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. Plans call for it to be in more plane models and on medium-haul routes.
