All 787s now in production will be outfitted with Android-based servers and touchscreens to provide music, video and apps specific to the airlines, according to The Australian Business Traveller.
The screens for the entertainment system will be much larger than what travelers are accustomed to, ranging from 7 inches to 17 inches from coach to first-class, and some will be controllable by hand gestures.
“A lot of the larger screens (for business and first class) will be non-touch because you can't reach them, although they’ve also got a prototype of gesturing,” Boeing technical manager Mark Larson said in an interview with the publication.
The 787 will also provide power sockets and USB ports on economy seats. Future travelers can look forward to some solid media options on the new planes as Android has partnerships with the big streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu and variety of music companies. The USB ports will also let travelers bring their own digital collections on board.
However, to streamline production costs for the delayed — and expensive — planes, Boeing will offer a limited number of manufacturer selections, compared with its other planes. Potential customers can choose between either Panasonic or Thales for their in-flight entertainment systems; the Business Traveller reports that customers will also see limited seating options.
Boeing — which employs 1,700 at a manufacturing plant in
There are currently more than 800 planes in production.