Panasonic Avionics Reaches In-Flight Entertainment System Milestone

June 23, 2009
System installed on 6,000th Boeing 737 for Norwegian Air Shuttle.

LAKE FOREST, CA -- Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) announces that its Multiplexed Passenger Entertainment System (MPES) IFE system was installed on the 6,000th Boeing 737 to enter into service. The aircraft was delivered to International Lease Finance Corp and will be leased to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (Norwegian), the second largest airline in Scandinavia.

Panasonic MPES is a simple-to-operate, high performance overhead audio and video in-flight entertainment system for narrow body aircraft. It features a broad range of exciting entertainment options, including distributed audio and video, broadcast moving maps, and other entertainment content. In addition, the system has an advanced technology for sound quality.

"The quality and simplicity of the Panasonic MPES product, in addition to the company's comprehensive customer support, were key factors in our selection of Panasonic Avionics Corporation," says Asgeir Nyseth, Chief Operating Officer at Norwegian Air Shuttle. "Panasonic MPES will offer our passengers the latest advances in in-flight entertainment options, which is the perfect complement to Norwegian's business expansion model and flight schedule. We have strong confidence in the Panasonic brand to deliver the high quality experience our passengers expect."

"We are pleased to participate in the delivery of the 6,000th Boeing 737 aircraft and continue our strong relationship with Norwegian Air Shuttle," says Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer at Panasonic Avionics Corporation. "As this latest delivery illustrates, we continue to enjoy success and growth in the European air transport market."

In addition to MPES, Panasonic also supplies DMPES (Digital Multiplexed Passenger Entertainment System) IFE system to Norwegian for its 45 B737-800 aircraft for delivery into service August 2009. DMPES uses the latest technology that incorporates the X Series' System Controller with Analog Audio Output (SC-A). With a 160-gigabyte media memory, the DMPES reduces space, weight, and power when compared to traditional IFE systems. Its compact head-end volume saves room and is lighter in weight.

For more information visit www.panasonic.aero.