Boeing 787 Dreamliner to use Android based In-Flight Entertainment system

It seems that Boeing’s new flagship aircraft — the 787 Dreamliner — will boast an advanced entertainment system based on Android. The in-flight entertainment system will provide music, video and airline-specific apps to travellers.

Australian customers for the Dreamliner include Jetstar and Qantas, who have both placed orders for the 210 Million dollar aircraft, with Qantas advising that the Boeing 787 will join the Qantas Group in the second half of 2012. While Jetstar has ordered 25 Boeing 787 “Dreamliners” which are due to be delivered from 2013. Virgin Australia have advised they will not be purchasing any of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

According to Mark Larson, technical manager at Boeing’s Dreamliner Gallery, all 787s now in production will be fitted with Android-based servers and touchscreens, no option is given to airlines purchasing the Dreamliner in regards to the inflight entertainment system except to choose between options from Panasonic and Thales, the screens will initially be provided by Panasonic.

Every seat in the Dreamliner, from economy seats to first-class suites will be equipped with an Android-enabled panel ranging in size from 7 to 17 inches, the panels have a wider viewing angle than today’s screens, and are less reflective of ambient light, Many will be touchscreens, but Larson says that “a lot of the larger screens (for business and first class) will be non-touch because you can’t reach them, although they’ve also got a prototype of gesturing.

So I guess i`ll be flying Qantas/Jetstar come 2012/2013.