[Avionics Today July 28, 2014] China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has begun flying its first connected aircraft flights over China, using Panasonic Avionics’ eXconnect and China Telecom aeronautical service. According to Panasonic, the airline has equipped its first Airbus A330 with exConnect, and the system will be added to 26 additional Boeing 767 and 777 passenger jets.
The first aircraft equipped with the system has begun flying on routes between Shanghai and Beijing. Lv Junli, president of China Telecom Satellite called the launch of the first flight a "momentous day for China’s commercial airline industry."
"After years of close collaboration with China Eastern Airlines and China Telecom Satellite, we are now witnessing the next step in the evolution of in-flight entertainment over China," said Paul Margis, president and CEO of Panasonic Avionics.