Linux and luxury: Behind the scenes on the Emirates Airbus A380

We take a look at the Emirates Airbus A380's high-tech luxuries and Linux-based Panasonic Aviation eX2 in-flight entertainment system.

All of these systems are custom-made for Emirates. Two companies make IFE systems for Airbus A380s: Thales (with the Top Series i-5000) and Panasonic Avionics (with the eX2 series). All parts, no matter how small, must be tested and approved as avionics equipment.

Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Emirates all use the Panasonic Aviation eX2 IFE system, which runs off Linux . Emirates says that the eX2 package is 30 per cent lighter than its previous IFE system and costs US$5-7 million per plane.

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