Sean Broderick's aviation career started in 1991, working for Airbus in Toulouse. His industry experience includes four years with an aviation consultancy, where he worked on the successful launch of a U.S. Part 121 carrier; 12 years with an airport association as a magazine editor and communications executive; and more than 15 years of full- and part-time work as a journalist, writing about air transport and business aviation. &nbsp;
&nbsp;

Writer

Sean Broderick

Thales (Stand F-23), expanding its in-flight entertainment (IFE) installation footprint in the growing Asia-Pacific fleet as well as within HNA Group, is equipping 59 HNA-affiliated aircraft with its Avant IFE/connectivity system.

 


The deal covers 42 Airbus A330s and 17 A350s that will fly for HNA Group airlines. The first Avant-equipped A330 entered service in late 2017, while the first A350 is set to fly in the third quarter of this year. The agreement includes providing Thales FlytCare, the nose-to-tail IFE maintenance package, for each covered aircraft.

 


Thales's win strengthens its ties with HNA Group. Thales already supplies systems for a variety of HNA Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including more than 50 A330s on the strength of a contract announced in 2016. HNA Group's carriers include Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Lucky Air, and West Air.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


The expanded HNA agreement also bolsters Thales's IFE-related presence in the region, where it serves many carriers. Among them: Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and China Southern, which was the first to fly the latest-generation Avant system, putting it into service on a 777-300ER in 2014.

 


Thales is responding to the strong Asia-Pacific demand by expanding its presence. "Thales is investing resources in the region to further enhance the integration of software and media capabilities that will enrich passenger experience and satisfy local market demands," the supplier said.

 


HNA Group's aircraft will be equipped with Avant's full high-definition monitors featuring the Avii Touch Passenger Media Unit. Avii provides intuitive navigation, full Android smartphone look and feel, and acts as a second entertainment screen, Thales said. Integration of Ka-band connectivity to the Avant system will provide a fully connected passenger experience.

 


As Thales adds aircraft to its installed base, it is increasing its focus on product support across all product lines.

 


"Customer satisfaction is our top priority," said Eric Huber, Thales vice president, worldwide avionics sales. "We monitor it in many ways, notably by closely following the results of the Airbus Supplier Support ranking, ATR operators ranking, and by conducting our own annual customer survey."

 


The latest edition of the survey garnered more than 330 responses. Among the notable results: 60 percent of respondents said Thales's avionics products outperform the competition's.

 


Near-term priorities will focus on combining data-driven insights from customers with Thales's repair capabilities to increase service levels.

 


"By combining avionics expertise, our vast database of repair actions, our worldwide footprint, and state-of-the-art digital tools, we are able to provide greater insight into complexity and enable operators to connect their activities, better diagnose their maintenance, and shorten the turnaround time for maximized fleet availability," Huber said. "These are among our projects for 2018, while obviously continuing to find the best ways to satisfy operators around the world."

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

HNA Group IFE Deal Boosts Thales In Asia-Pacific

Supplier will equip 59 Airbus aircraft, adding to HNA installations

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Curt Epstein

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

Kerry Lynch

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Avionics

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

Light jet now approved by Brazilian, U.S., and European regulators

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Expands availability of company's oxygen-mask head-up display system

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN