by Josh Lew
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Thu November 19, 2015
Emirates is already known as one of the best when it comes to in-flight service and entertainment. The Dubai-based carrier is not resting on its laurels, however. It recently introduced a robust new in-flight entertainment system. Why does the company want to upgrade when it already ranks as one of the world's best airlines for in-flight experiences?
Emirates VP Patrick Brannelly explains that the carrier is merely putting its money where its mouth is: "We continually upgrade our fleet, as well as our products and services on board to ensure an unparalleled travel experience." It sould like the new system is just part of that continual upgrade strategy.
Seat-back screens getting bigger
The system, which will be installed on the airline's Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s going forward, features larger seat-back screens. First class passengers will benefit from the upgrades, but economy class fliers will also get to enjoy larger screens and a better entertainment selection.
Screens in first class, which are currently 27 inches on most Emirates planes, will be bumped up to 32 inches in size. Economy class screens, now just over one foot, will get an extra inch-and-a-half. According to the airline, the new first-class screens will be the largest in the industry.
More entertainment options
Though people might be impressed by the screen size statistics, the real upgrades to the in-flight entertainment on Emirates planes are happening "under the hood." The new system has more storage space compared to the older one. This means that passengers in all classes will have a lot more entertainment to choose from. The amount of new options will be a dream for channel surfers, who will have more than 2,000 on-demand channels to sift through. That is in addition to 1,000 music channels and approximately 600 movies. The UI has been tweaked as well. It now supports 14 languages.
Could this upgrade actually be overkill? Some other major airlines seem to be trending towards offering Wi-Fo so passengers can create their own in-flight experience on their phones, laptops or tablets. Currently, about half of all Emirates planes are able to offer Wi-Fi. All the new aircraft will have USB ports and charging stations for personal devices, as well.
Young fliers getting new perks too
Emirates hasn't forgotten young fliers. The airline has also announced that it is releasing a new range of stuffed animals for toddlers and an activity bag for fliers in the 6-12 year-old demographic. Emirates estimates that over 4 million children fly with them each year. Special children's meals are offered on some flights
Emirates is an industry leader when it comes to services and perks. Having an increased array of movies and shows is certainly welcome, but you have to wonder if this latest in-flight upgrade is really necessary for Emirates to stay on top of the heap.
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