Thales AVANT in-flight entertainment system. Photo courtesy of Thales
HNA Group has engaged Thales Group to outfit 59 of its wide-body A330 and A350 XWB aircraft with the latter’s AVANT in-flight entertainment and Ka-band connectivity.
While Haikou, China-based HNA Group already has aircraft flying with Thales systems installed, this commitment will more than double the number of such aircraft in its combined fleet.
Thales said that the new entertainment systems will focus on customizability, featuring a lightweight high-definition screen and a smartphone-like touchscreen controller that can also act as a second entertainment screen.
In addition to its flagship Hainan Airlines, HNA Group manages Capital Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Lucky Air and West Air, among other subsidiaries.