Singapore Airlines (SIA) is progressively introducing an electronic version of the carrier's in-flight magazines on its Panasonic Avionics-made, KrisWorld-branded in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, as part of an initiative to ultimately have paperless cabins.
As a first step, the airline is offering in electronic format its three in-flight magazines - travel magazine SilverKris, in-flight sales catalogue KrisShop and IFE guide KrisWorld - as part of a trial with privately-held Singapore-based company SmarttPapers Aviation.
The SmarttPapers application uses a patented file compression technology to compress and transform magazines and newspaper contents into a digital format for integration into the IFE system.
"In line with efforts to reduce the amount of paper carried on board, thus reducing weight and saving fuel, the airline aims to extend this initiative to other publications at a later date, including menu cards and the more than 100 international and local magazines currently carried systemwide. The plan is also to introduce e-newspapers and e-books on board using the same technology," says SIA.
SIA is initially offering the electronic magazines on two Boeing 777-300ERs, followed by two Airbus A380s. More A380s and 777-300ERs, as well as other aircraft fitted with Panasonic's eX2 IFE system - Airbus A330-300s and A340-500s - will have this feature included in the fleet, adds the carrier.
Flight Blog - Singapore Airlines introduces electronic version of magazines on IFE system
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Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
