Thales to Demonstrate ehancement to passenger comforts

Boeing and Thales to Demonstrate New Technologies Designed to Enhance Passengers' Comfort and Flying Experience
Monday November 6, 2:48 pm ET

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from Boeing and Thales Aerospace will brief the media and demonstrate the latest developments in advanced in-flight entertainment technologies, such as on-demand capabilities, large widescreen in-seat displays and a broad range of information and entertainment options, that will fly aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The briefing will take place on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 10:00am at Thales Aerospace's facility in Irvine, California.
Boeing and Thales seek to significantly change passengers' flying experience with the introduction of Thales' TopSeries i-8000 wireless in- flight entertainment and information (IFE) system. Boeing required, during the design phase of the aircraft, that the 787's IFE system be wireless.

Last week, Thales announced that it now has 70% market share for IFE on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. What boosted Thales into this position is its recent success in China. Thales announced that they were selected by Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines for their new wireless system. These wins reinforce Thales' leadership position in the IFE business and commitment to the Southern California community. Over the past two years, Thales has hired over 500 new employees making the total operation 825 people strong. Thales Aerospace, a part of the international Thales Group, has seen its U.S.-based IFE business grow ten-fold in just a few years and is strongly committed to economic development in Southern California.