Vistara Becomes World’s First Airline to Feature Panasonic’s Arc 3D In-Flight Map Application

Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier, has upgraded the map application in its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and launched Arc, Panasonic Avionics’ new, state-of-the-art, 3D in-flight map application on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The map platform will be progressively made available on the airline’s brand new A321neo aircraft as well. As the launch customer of Arc, Vistara is the world’s first airline to offer this immersive in-flight map experience to customers that brings a wide range of innovations to the traditional in-flight map application, while expanding the concept into a fully integrated experience within the IFE and connectivity system. 

Arc will be available in all cabins – in the overhead monitors, seatback screens, video handsets as well as on passengers’ mobile devices connected to the in-flight Wi-Fi. Vistara passengers will now be able to choose from over 20 distinct map views in 4K for various phases of flight, incorporating everything from stunning 3D satellite imagery, local and global views, down to a personalized feature that enables passengers to see the aircraft’s relative position to their selected map location throughout their flight. More equally engaging features such as the Kids Map and street map views will be introduced in a subsequent release.

In-flight entertainment plays an extremely important role in the overall experience of flying with an airline, especially on a long flight. Our partnership with Panasonic has helped us in bringing state-of-the-art IFE systems and satellite connectivity to our customers. Arc, with trailblazing capabilities, will not only help us keep our customers engaged on their flights, but also open up a whole new medium for us to interact with them. We are delighted to make this cutting-edge application a part of the award-winning Vistara experience in our continuous effort to maximize customer delight.

Vinod Kannan
Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara

Arc is inspired by the latest design thinking of contemporary digital and gaming experiences and enables airlines to leverage the high viewership of in-flight moving maps.

Andrew Mohr, Vice President of Digital Services and Solutions for Panasonic Avionics Corporation said: “We are delighted by this opportunity to partner with Vistara on the launch of Arc on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.  Arc represents a new generation of map technology, perfectly tuned to take advantage of our latest IFE hardware.  Introducing many industry firsts, this collaboration with Vistara has resulted in both companies jointly setting a new standard for the in-flight map experience.”

Vistara is India’s only airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi internet connectivity onboard international flights operated by its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The airline’s IFE system offers a rich multimedia library of nearly 700 hours of wide-ranging engaging content that includes movies, TV shows, and audio compilations of various genres as well as games.

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and Tripadvisor and has also been the winner of ‘Five Star Airline’ and several ‘Best Airline’ awards. In a short span of six years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service delivery in the Indian aviation industry by offering a world-class flying experience to travelers.

About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited)

TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer the finest full-service flying experience in India. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015, with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India and it today connects destinations across India and abroad. The airline has a fleet of 45 aircraft, including 35 Airbus A320, two Airbus A321neo, six Boeing 737-800NG, and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and has flown more than 20 million customers since starting operations.

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling its customers to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 3,500 employees and operations in 60 global locations, it has delivered over 15,400 IFE systems and 25,200 in-flight connectivity solutions to the world’s leading airlines.

Media Contacts

Brian Bardwell
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel: +1 949 462 1742
Brian.Bardwell@panasonic.aero

Charlie Hampton
Tel: +44 (0)7884 187297
panasonic@pembrokeandrye.com