Thanks to Panasonic, your next flight can be upgraded with 4K OLED and spatial audio
Panasonic is about to give aircraft entertainment a serious upgrade. The Astrova 4K OLED systems will come to Icelandair later this year, and more airlines will follow suit shortly after. The airline Icelandicair will install 16-inch versions in Business Class and 13-inch models in Economy from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Those are not the only sizes that Panasonic offers. It also offers 19-inch, 22-inch, 27-inch, 32-inch and even 42-inch models, with the size of the TV likely to reflect the price of your ticket.
Next in line is Qantas Airways, followed by United Airlines, both of which will be installing the displays in their Airbuses β and in Boeings in the case of United Airlines, so you have something to look at when the doors fall off… Egyptair is another Airbus installer, and both Saudi Arabian Airlines and Qatar Airways have also announced plans. In the case of Qatar, the chosen sizes are 22 inches in business class and 13 inches in economy.
However, these TVs have more to offer than just their screen sizes. The specifications are also impressive.
Why Panasonic’s OLEDs are an in-flight upgrade
While the displays are generally smaller than the best TVs you’ll have at home, the specs here are impressive because you’re obviously not limited to the size of the seat in front of you. The OLEDs deliver 4K with support for HDR10 and HDR10+.
The onboard systems also support multi-channel spatial audio for an immersive audio experience. That means you won’t need to bring an adapter with you on your next trip, thanks to Bluetooth support for the best headphones. There’s also 100W fast charging, so your phone will be fresher than you when you arrive.
These displays are also upgradeable, so they should have a long lifespan. They are designed with modular construction, meaning they can be easily replaced as better versions are developed.
Panasonic says this is the first time passengers can enjoy true 4K HDR picture quality from their airplane seats, and this should help make the miles go by faster.
We first reported on the new systems last year, with Becky Scarrott explaining: βit remains to be seen how good it will be and how immersive the promised ‘premium home theater environment’ can be. But it will certainly be so much better. of what is currently available… and we will even get it in the mail!”