Air India Elevates Indian Skies with Thales’s Advanced AVANT Up Entertainment

Air India’s first newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner entered commercial service on 1 February 2026 equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, marking the first deployment of this advanced platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The installation is part of Air India’s broader fleet modernization and passenger experience strategy, and it highlights the technological advantages of AVANT Up compared with legacy and competing IFE solutions.

Advanced Inflight Entertainment Technology
The AVANT Up system onboard Air India’s new 787-9 integrates high-performance hardware and software to deliver a premium entertainment experience. Each seat features ultra-responsive 4K QLED HDR touchscreen displays designed for cinema-like clarity, supported by Thales’ Pulse dynamic power supply that provides up to 60 W of fast charging through both USB-C and USB-A ports. Bluetooth connectivity enables passengers to pair wireless headphones directly with the display unit. The platform also includes an intuitive user interface, interactive 3D flight maps, immersive route-based programming, and dedicated features for children.

Differentiation Versus Competing IFE Systems
Compared with many incumbent and competing inflight entertainment solutions, AVANT Up emphasizes content richness, interface responsiveness, and integrated power management across passenger classes.

Content and User Experience
AVANT Up supports a catalogue exceeding 3 000 hours of programming, including extensive multilingual libraries, tailored to global and regional content preferences.

Display and Interaction
The use of 4K QLED HDR displays with ultra-responsive touch controls positions AVANT Up at the higher end of current seatback IFE performance. Some competing systems may use OLED or other panels, but AVANT Up’s combination of brightness, responsiveness, and content integration delivers consistency across seat classes.

Power and Connectivity
In-screen fast charging up to 60 W and Bluetooth pairing for accessories are integrated without detracting from entertainment performance — a configuration that provides practical utility for long-haul passengers. This level of integration differentiates AVANT Up in aircraft such as Air India’s 787-9 from older or less unified systems, particularly in regions where carriers are upgrading from basic AVOD systems to fully modern IFE platforms.

Context Within Air India’s Fleet Strategy
The first of six new 787-9 aircraft fitted with AVANT Up was unveiled at Wings India 2026 and is now flying scheduled routes. This capability complements Air India’s ongoing retrofit of its wider fleet with modern cabin systems, aligning the airline with global competitors that deploy advanced passenger entertainment and connectivity technologies on long-haul services.

Technical Impact for Passengers and Airlines
From a passenger perspective, the AVANT Up system enhances long-haul comfort and connectivity, offering expansive entertainment options and device support essential for modern travel. For airlines, integrating a scalable, high-quality IFE solution like AVANT Up supports differentiation in premium and economy product offerings and can be a factor in customer choice on competitive international routes.

www.thalesgroup.com