Thales InFlyt Experience, the in-flight entertainment business of Thales, uses AI only in FlytEDGE, its cloud-based platform that recommends content to passengers.
Based in Irvine, California, it also sells AVANT Up seatback screens, FlytLIVE connectivity and 360Stream live TV, which are not counted as AI. Qatar Airways is FlytEDGE launch customer for its A321neo fleet, signed in 2024 and extended in 2025 with a Doha service centre.
Aviation AI deployments and updates
01 / Contracted
Thales FlytEDGE inflight entertainment for Qatar Airways' A321 NX fleet
Qatar Airways and Thales have signed an agreement to equip the airline's new A321 NX fleet with FlytEDGE, PAX International reported on 28 October 2024.
Next-generation seatback in-flight entertainment (IFE) system featuring 4K QLED HDR displays (Optiq), smart dynamic power management (Pulse), and a cloud-based digital services platform. Available in Core, Standard, and Prestige tiers to accommodate varying airline customization requirements.
The problem it addresses
Airlines require a high-quality, scalable IFE platform that reduces total cost of ownership, supports content personalization, meets passenger expectations for display quality comparable to consumer devices, and integrates seamlessly with onboard connectivity systems.
Key features
Optiq 4K QLED HDR displays developed with HARMAN (Samsung), over one billion colors
Two simultaneous Bluetooth connections per seat for pairing headphones, devices, or game controllers
Built-in Wi-Fi in each display for personal device pairing
Pulse smart dynamic power management, 60W USB-C and 10W USB-A fast charging
8 more features
Cloud-based content management system enabling content updates outside the traditional 30-day cycle
Personalization via PNR data integration, demographic-level content recommendations and advertising
Ka-band High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) inflight connectivity service for commercial aviation, providing passengers with full broadband internet access on personal devices.
The problem it addresses
Airlines require a high-speed, reliable inflight connectivity solution to offer passengers broadband internet access comparable to home or office environments, while also enabling operational data exchange and new ancillary revenue streams.
Cloud-native inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) platform that enables airlines to build, test, and deploy apps, software, and content completely remotely without on-site acceptance tests.
The problem it addresses
Traditional IFE platforms require on-site software updates, lengthy content cycles, and significant Thales engineer involvement for any change. Airlines need a platform enabling fully autonomous, remote, real-time operations at the speed of consumer technology.
Key features
Industry's first and only cloud-native IFEC platform (patented)
Airlines can build, test, and deploy apps, software, and content completely remotely, no acceptance tests required
Edge caching via Crystal Cabin Award-winning Onboard Data Center (ODC) with 96TB storage
4K QLED HDR seatback displays with over one billion colors
10 more features
Two Bluetooth connections for personal device pairing
Unified user interface across seatback screens, phones, and tablets
Real-time system monitoring and automated maintenance tasks
Support for limitless third-party consumer web apps and streaming services (Netflix, Spotify noted as targets)
Intelligent content recommendations personalized per passenger
Scalable blade architecture replacing traditional multi-server network
Easy blade swap upgradeability path
Virtual labs for anywhere, anytime software and content updates
Integration with leading cloud providers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure noted)
Crystal Cabin Award winner: Pulse Power (2022), Onboard Data Center (2023), Accessibility Suite (2024), FlytEDGE platform (2024)
Technical specifications (9)
Architecture: Cloud-native with on-aircraft blade architecture
Onboard storage: 96TB Onboard Data Center (ODC)
Display: 4K QLED HDR seatback screens
Color depth: over one billion colors
Bluetooth: 2 simultaneous connections per seat
Platform type: Edge-caching enabled (IFEC industry first)
Cloud integration: Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure
Operations model: Fully remote, no on-site intervention required for software/content updates
Patent status: Patented solution
Certifications and approvals
Crystal Cabin Award, Pulse Power (2022)
Crystal Cabin Award, Onboard Data Center (2023)
Crystal Cabin Award, Accessibility Suite (2024)
Crystal Cabin Award, FlytEDGE platform as a whole (2024)
Verified deployments
Qatar Airways (QR) – Thales FlytEDGE inflight entertainment for Qatar Airways' A321 NX fleet
Live event-based programming solution for inflight entertainment that delivers live TV, sports, and news to passengers with DVR capability and a Near-Live highlights service. The system works with any IFE platform and any satellite connectivity provider.
The problem it addresses
Traditional inflight live TV delivers continuous broadcast streams, wasting bandwidth on re-run or non-live content and preventing passengers from pausing, rewinding, or catching up on missed live events.
Key features
Industry's first event-based live TV programming with DVR capability at 40,000 feet
Passengers can play, pause, rewind, or skip to live
Near-Live service: automated delivery of highlights and recaps to full fleet within one hour
Predetermines and flags live vs non-live content within channels, airlines can choose continuous or live-only streaming
7 more features
Works on any IFE system and any connectivity/satellite provider (over-the-top service)
Passenger access on personal electronic devices without app download
100% automated Near-Live content workflow connecting ground and aircraft systems
Launch content partners: BBC News, CNN, EuroNews
Airlines can onboard their own content partners within three days
Intelligent bandwidth management, can be enhanced for major live events
Consistent TV experience across mixed-fleet deployments
Technical specifications (6)
Streaming quality: highest in industry (per Thales)
Near-Live delivery time: fleet-wide within one hour
Content workflow: 100% automated from content provider to aircraft
Device access: personal electronic devices without app installation
Compatibility: any satellite network, any IFE system provider
Profile data from the Aerostack companies register; deployment records from the verified register. Evidence grades: T1 first-party confirmation, T2 credible reporting. See Our approach for how records are graded.
Aerostack companies register
Aerostack tracks AI deployments across airports and airlines, with the published evidence behind each record. Photography is real aviation imagery. Record thumbnails may show the named airport or airline; other photographs do not.
