PIA is looking to upgrade IFE on 8 of its Boeing 777 aircraft

Pakistan International Airlines is looking for economical and indigenous IFE solution for eight Boeing 777s.

Pakistan International Airlines is looking for economical and indigenous IFE solution for eight Boeing 777s. This includes three Boeing 777-200ER, two Boeing 777-200LRs and three Boeing 777-300ERs. This is required an upgrade of the existing IFE system and must be certified for currently installed seats within proposed time.

Currently, PIA is using Panasonic (3000/3000i) IFE system on its aircraft. IFE system and seating configurations on these aircraft are given below:

Feature film selection on PIA IFE when it was functional.

Business Class: 35 Seats M/s Avio Interior model EVA/Perseus seven (07) abreast 2-3-2 configuration. 10.4” screen size and Passenger Entertainment (PES) and Passenger Service System (PSS) are controlled via remote. AC outlets are available on each seat.

Economy Class: 275, 294 and 358 M/s RECARO model 3410; 318 series with nine (09) abreast 3-3-3 configuration in 200LR, 200ER and 300 ER respectively 9” and 6.4” screen size in seat back and in arm seat respectively, Passenger Entertainment (PES) and Passenger Service System (PSS) are controlled via remote.

Dramas and sitcoms selection on PIA IFE when it was functional.

The 8 Boeing 777 aircraft that PIA wants these upgrades are owned by PIA and their registrations are as follows:

3 Boeing 777-200ER (AP-BGJ, AP-BGK & AP-BGL)
2 Boeing 777-200LR (AP-BGY & AP-BGZ)
3 Boeing 777-300ER (AP-BHV, AP-BHW & AP-BID)

As part of the new tender, PIA is looking to have a screen that is less heavy than the ones already installed. This screen must be capable of PSS operation for attendant calling and turning Reading Lights On and OFF.
For the business class passengers, screens should be remotely controlled. But PIA has hinted that remote controlling for Economy Class screens will
be considered added value.

PIA seeks new screen that may be powered from the existing aircraft system fulfilling all necessary regulatory requirements. At the same time, the aircraft will have overhead monitors for each zone. A total number of economy seats that will require a new screen are 2506 and 280 seats in business class. Transmitting pre-loaded content on passenger portable devices via Wireless Access Points (WAPs) is also part of the PIA requirement.

Individual screen on these aged business class screens are clunky and hefty.

The following requirements are given by PIA for the server.
a) Complete Redundant Headend/Core System
b) High Media Storage Capacity,
c) Effective operating & Troubleshooting Crew Interfacing Terminal
d) Integration with aircraft systems for Moving Map Display.
e) Capable of broadcasting auto announcements and turning off the
screens In case of emergency e.g. Cabin Decompression.
f) Single Point source for uploading and distribution of content on screen.
g) Built-in Test for all system LRUS for data logging.
h) Open integration capability as per technology advancement e.g. Passenger Service System (PSS) Passenger Addressing (PA), Landscape Camera feed in the seat back screens and Internet connectivity.v

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