Voted Best Inflight Entertainment in the
World in 2005 and 2006, Emirates Airline has continued its commitment to
innovation by today launching its next generation, cutting-edge ice
Digital Widescreen system, raising standards even higher.Available in all classes, the ground-breaking new system represents a
significant enhancement in the overall passenger experience. It features
the airline world’s largest wide-screen TVs measuring 23” in first
class, 17” in business class and 10.6” in economy, and provides an
authentic home-cinema experience.

Emirates’ unique ice Digital Widescreen system has been developed over
the past three years - focussing on adding innovative features in a
simple to use interface.  “Of course, we’ve also bumped up the
programming choice so there’s even more movies, TV and audio as well as
over 100 games to play,” said Mike Simon, Emirates Divisional Senior
Vice President, Corporate Communications. 

New features include My USB, which allows passengers to view their
holiday photos onscreen during the flight home, and My Playlist, which
makes it possible for passengers to create their own compilation from
the nearly 10,000 tracks of music available.

 

Passengers in First Class and Business Class can select their
entertainment through Emirates unique wireless handset controllers,
featuring a 7” touch screen interface. “The use of WiFi equipped
handsets is a first in commercial aviation and is more convenient for
passengers especially if they are lying down on one of the lie-flat
beds.  The lack of a cable reduces clutter,” added Simon.  In addition,
the wireless controllers can adjust seat position, lighting and massage
functions.

 

Every seat is also equipped with an advanced ice TV remote control with
a colour display. Passengers can simply enter the channel number they
want and go straight to that channel, just as if they were using their
TV remote control at home. The handset also features a full qwerty
keyboard, helpful for sending SMS or emails from the flight, while also
doubling as a satellite telephone and games controller.

 

Laptop charging points are provided at every seat in First Class and
Business Class, and in Economy class cabins, there are several charging
points per seat row.

 

Emirates much loved Airshow moving map display has also been totally
redesigned. Passengers can now see a full 3-D animated model of their
aircraft as it flies en-route to the destination, highlighting cities
and points of interest on the way.

 

Passengers are also kept up-to-date with the latest news headlines -
updated every hour throughout the flight. “We broadened the choice of
news stories available so passengers will be even better informed,”
commented Simon.

 

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates Vice President of Passenger Communications
and Visual Services said: “Emirates has been a leader of inflight
entertainment since introducing the world’s first seat-back screens in
1992. Our new ice Digital Widescreen System allows us to continue to
offer our passengers the latest inflight entertainment and
communications technologies, significantly enhancing our onboard
experience.”

 

The digital widescreen system first debuted on the Emirates Dubai-Paris
service. Over the next 18 months, Emirates will receive 24 new aircraft
fitted with this new product.

 

ice is currently available on half of Emirates’ passenger fleet,
offering travellers significantly more inflight entertainment choice
than any other airline.
——-