Astronics Earns In-Seat Power Orders From Six Major North American Airlines
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APEX Insight: Battery drain is a pain for travelers. With 97% of passengers traveling with one or more portable electronic devices, and airlines turning to wireless IFE, the need for power outlets on aircraft seats has never been greater. Astronics’ latest orders reflect the priority airlines place on this critical passenger experience improvement.
Astronics Corporation has announced that six major North American airlines have placed orders with its Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) division to install EmPower in-seat power systems on up to 1,400 narrow-body aircraft and regional jets.
The orders include installations of Astronics AES 110VAC and high output USB power units at every passenger seat and at cabin crew stations. The units will be installed through a combination of about 60% line-fit and 40% retrofit installations taking place from early 2018 through to 2023. For contractual reasons, Astronics AES is unable to divulge the airlines that placed the order.
“With these large fleet upgrades, it is a multi-year process [of installation] and some airlines want at least 30% flying before they make a public release,” explained Dennis Markert, director of Business Development at Astronics AES.
This announcement is an indication that airlines are viewing power supply as a necessary resource on shorter duration flights and are working to ensure that passengers have power on narrow-body routes.
“Battery anxiety is a real concern for people across multiple generations.” – Dennis Markert, Astronics AES
“In Business and First, you’ll see 110VAC, USB and in some cases dual USB,” said Markert. “Airlines individually decide the product offering they want to provide to their passengers and many factors come into play in their decision.” But these new orders show that airlines are recognizing a need to offer at least one power option to each passenger, regardless of the class of their ticket.
“For a number of years, we’ve promoted power as the necessary amenity to enhance and drive a positive customer experience,” Markert added. Astronics has worked to raise awareness of what it describes as the trend of passenger battery anxiety. “Imagine flying three to four hours watching a movie or using your device. When you land, you depend on that same device to be your GPS to get you safely to your destination. Battery anxiety is a real concern for people across multiple generations.”