Qatar to fit Thales FlytEDGE entertainment system to A321neo fleet

Qatar Airways has become the first carrier to disclose that it is equipping aircraft with French firm Thales’s new in-flight entertainment system FlytEDGE.

The system will be fitted on Qatar’s Airbus A321neos.

Qatar Airways senior vice-president for product development Xia Cai claims passengers will have “access to the most innovative consumer technology” through the partnership.

The system utilises cloud-computing technology and, according to Thales, offers “unparalleled performance” that supports streaming platforms and gaming.

Thales also says the system, with a high-capacity on-board data centre, is capable of edge caching – storing data close to users to increase efficiency – and “intelligently” recommending content, providing individually personalised and tailored entertainment.

“Passengers can instantly stream their favourite entertainment using their personal video subscriptions and continue watching their favourite shows from the ground to the air and across flights,” it states.

Qatar Airways is the first airline to disclose its selection of FlytEDGE. Thales says the system features 4K high-definition displays and personal device interfaces.

The carrier has 50 A321neos on order.

Qatar Airways has previously chosen Thales to supply in-flight entertainment systems across other fleets including the Airbus A350, A380 and Boeing 787.