WAEA Long Beach, CA, September 14, 2010 – Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) and connectivity systems, is pleased to introduce a new fully interactive 3D moving map product developed in partnership with GeoFusion, Inc. a 3D Earth visualization technology specialist. The application is compatible with the Thales TopSeries IFE platform and is expected to take flight early 2011. This 3D moving map powered by GeoFusion will provide passengers the ability to track the aircraft in motion as it flies over a high resolution 3D globe represented by satellite imagery and also includes a stunning experience of tracking the aircraft in real time while in taxi, take-off, flight and landing phases.

“Thales is thrilled to have partnered with GeoFusion on this exciting product. Innovative and rich in capability, this product is the foundation of an entirely new portfolio of map applications for the TopSeries platform,” said Stuart Dunleavy Vice President of Marketing and Customer Propositions at Thales. Other features allow each passenger to browse the globe independently from the aircraft position with control to zoom, tilt, and rotate views. There are also pre-defined views such as cockpit, left and right window, and continuous rotating views around the aircraft as it flies. The application is also suitable for overhead broadcast operation and can be scripted showing specific subject matter at pre-determined intervals and flight phases.

Yes, we have probably mentioned the above sentiment a few times too many in the past, but it is becoming truer each day more technologies and channels are developed each year. Rewind to an article in AVIONICS magazine a couple year back when they noted: “Airlines and other users also want access to sub channels like mobile/cellular (GSM, GPRS, UMTS) networks, Wi-Fi, Wi-MAX and non-satcom broadband as a way to avoid UHF communications expense, particularly for ground operations. Such solutions, however, will require the integration of the aircraft with an airline’s IT network.” This observation is spot-on and this Hot Topic deals with the message in their second sentence. Bandwidth to and from the aircraft has historically been pricey, but it looks like a low cost, ground connectivity solution is now becoming a reality. And it has the potential to exist far cheaper than an airborne solution, while possibly driving the on-ground cost competition in the same direction. The solution is called GateSync, the result of a venture proffered by Thales, Proximetry, and CSC, and has been quietly tested in Europe and San Diego CA. Running on Wi-MAX, Wi-FI, and 3G, the airport wireless network basically talks to aircraft when the squat switch is activated. This might be a good time to mention that the system’s ground network infrastructure does not have to be in the airport on the airport property because of the longer range characteristics of Wi-MAX (see below).

A few years back when we interviewed Proximetry in the WAEA Thales booth, we got their pitch on their wireless connectivity and a slick antenna that easily fit in a window on each side of an airplane. We pegged them as RF types. That was not totally incorrect, however, but it is the Proximetry software that is the key to the kingdom here. If you check their website, note that the focus in on wireless network recourses that use “intelligent provisioning that aligns network resource priorities to users and devices, dynamic bandwidth allocation that assures services meet user expectations, and predictive routing and resource configuration that maximizes throughput.” In other words, it’s the network knowledge that’s key here. In an interview with CSC AirSync, Managing Director, Sergio von Borries, he told IFExpress: “We will be offering a wireless connectivity service that will challenge all forms of on-ground, digital communication to and from the on-ground aircraft. CSC will be handling the connectivity service and ground network infrastructure, while Thales has the ETWLU and antennae (airplane) hardware side, all of which are bridged by Proximetry software that resides on both ends of the link.”

The accompanying graphic pictorially sets the stage for almost any and every airline application. Aside from the hub-and -spoke analogy, the airline or third party supplier (think content) has the ability to deliver and monitor data to and from aircraft via a Network Operations Center virtual console on or remotely from the airport. Data users have access via the airline’s networks or via CSC’s global private network. There is even an interesting case (controlled by the network and Proximetry software) that uses another airline aircraft to “talk” plane to plane, in a ground situation where the airport network service does not exist. In all this, think “content’ because it is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, driver for implementation. No doubt, if you build a ground pipe, the applications, airline, aircraft, and passenger will come. Since the viability of an off-airport installation is real, there are some genuine cost and process efficiency gains for the airline, not to mention we are talking about servers, routers and multi-mode wireless hardware, all of which is industry standard and is COTS – as are Internet connections.

We queried Mr. von Borris about two additional subjects, standards and costs and he told IFExpress:

Standards: “My point is that we have worked VERY HARD to ensure that GateSync is all about industry standards – especially wireless networks and carrier standards. Gatelink is a specific solution and implementation (mainly using WiFi) and it has proven not to be scalable in terms of number of concurrent airplanes served, bandwidth and link integrity/reliability. These are indeed issues we believe we have bridged by having the domain expertise and intrinsic knowledge of these standards.”

Costs: ” As for service and implementation costs, the point is that pricing based on costs is exactly how current wireless solutions have not been able to close their business case and scale. Our approach is integrated across multiple OPTIMIZED wireless modes, and it is the only wireless offering that brings Quality of Service and Service Level Guarantees that help close the business case.”

There are still a lot of questions to be answered like aircraft hardware and service costs, scalability, and so on. We would have liked to see a price-per-bit analysis but there is jut no way to nail this number down without being able to analyze how each airline uses and costs the existing “tennis shoe” networks, value of total data (now and later), other processes and applications benefitting, not to mention a valuation of new passenger, maintenance and flight operations related services. Watch this one, Thales CSC, and Proximetry have a real winner here and this looks to be the right team at the right time. We think they need to get a bit tighter with the buy-in of other infrastructure players and this dog will hunt!

Wi-Max: Wi-MAX is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and service quality of cellular networks. The Wi-MAX acronym means “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX) and provides broadband access from 3 to 10 miles for mobile platforms.

For more info here is the Gatesync Brochure.

The Aircraft Interiors mash-up in Hamburg ended this past week with some very interesting and unpredicted trends in the IFE space. For sure, the move toward smaller, thinner, lighter and more capable electronics was present. Second, third, and fourth generation electronics were claimed in the thin seat/thin and smart IFE world. Without a doubt, this is the trend of the next round of seatback/seat hardware. We really liked the Thales product!

There were a number of R&D projects almost ready for prime time: A wireless seat power development project that claimed 97% efficiency from KID (isn’t that better than wire?); a really great in-seat power supply design concept (Recaro and KID), which removed the seat power box and placed it in a central seat tube; a rapid prototyping capability for seat peripheral products (IFPC); a new, simple, content aggregation software from an Italian supplier; a new satcom/radio software data reduction algorithm that lops 40% of the overhead budget (TriaGnoSys); a new line of inflight hardware from a predominantly portable IFE supplier; a big sale for one fiber-optic IFE provider; two new seat power boxes; a 65” LCD Display; and so much more.

There is a big deal underway in IFE gatelink data that promises to expand ground-based IFE/airplane data that may finally automate that last node on the airline networks – the aircraft. It may do so by the build-up of ground-based networking…not in-flight connectivity. This offering looks like another SITA or ARINC and may incorporate their efforts as well. We will report on this project in the upcoming weeks.

iPad, iPad, iPad is all we heard about. No less that 8 vendors at the Hamburg Show had them in their booth. One even professed that it will be used as an inflight IFE offering. We do not know how it will ever pass DO-160 specifications so that rules out an imbedded application, but hope springs eternal. Additionally, the unit still stumbles with the lack of file handling capabilities and multitasking…not to mention security issues around file encryption. One rumor on the floor placed a major movie distributer in the booth of one vendor claiming they must print a retraction to an earlier news release claiming iPad first run movies? You can believe what you may but you heard it here first.

On the road, we wanted to give a tip-of-the-hat to Seattle Tacoma International Airport for their much appreciated, free Wi-Fi offered to all travelers. In an interview, the airport claimed that it costs them easily over $100,000 each year given the fees and royalties paid by service providers. Airports are not friendly places any more, but the folks at SeaTac deserve mention.

We hear Alaska Airlines will be offering introductory free Go-go Wi-Fi service till July 31, this year.

While air travel to and from the Hamburg show was nothing short of madness, thanks to the Icelandic volcano, we worry about the long-term impact on European air travel and airlines. Having experienced the absolute breakdown of one airline’s ability to manage the emergency we wonder if there are any management solutions to random weather emergencies? One thing for sure, it is going to cost us all more to fly!

Montreal, QC and Savannah, GA – November 26, 2009 – The all-new Gulfstream G650 ultra
long-range business aircraft successfully completed its first flight in Savannah on November 25,
2009.

This notable milestone takes place three years after Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation selected
Thales to develop the full three-axis Fly-By-Wire (FBW) flight control computer system for the new
Gulfstream G650 business jet. While Thales has provided FBW solutions on other aircraft
platforms, the successful first flight of the G650 demonstrates that Thales is a committed partner
with the ability to design and deliver full FBW solutions.

Thales’s Fly-By-Wire solution for the Gulfstream G650 aircraft consists of supplying two digital
flight control computers and one backup flight control unit. Thales uses the latest evolution of its
Quad-Dual Flight Control Computer architecture along with modular packaging design to ensure
that all stringent safety, certification and operational dispatch requirements are met using four
channels packaged into two cabinets.

The development phase is carried out in the Gulfstream Research and Development Center and
the aircraft manufacturing in Gulfstream facilities in Savannah Georgia. The system level
engineering and software development for Thales’s FBW flight control computers and backup flight
control unit takes place in Montreal, Thales’s center of excellence, while the core computing
system is developed by Thales’s airborne computer unit located in France.

Mr. Alain Boursier, General Manager of Thales’s aerospace business activities in Canada,
commented: “We have been working in close cooperation with Gulfstream for several years and
we are proud to be part of the G650 development programmme and to contribute to the success of
the G650’s first flight. Being part of the G650’s development is very exciting and we will continue
our efforts towards the next major milestone, aircraft certification.”

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation
markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50
countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and
deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an
exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local
partners. www.thalesgroup.com

Neuilly-sur-Seine, October 30, 2009 – Air France today took reception of its first A380 aircraft, the largest passenger jet in the world. This super-sized aircraft – capable of carrying 855 passengers, but carrying only 538 in the Air France version – is at the forefront of innovation in aviation, displaying a superior design that combines unparalleled size and might with aesthetics and grace.

The wings alone on this record-breaking super jet each measure 845m². The A380 also boasts 50 percent more floor surface than any other high capacity aircraft, giving passengers space to relax in what is the quietest cabin of any airliner currently in service.

Thales is a long-standing Airbus partner, and the main supplier of the A380’s cockpit display systems – its technology can be found throughout the aircraft’s avionics system, covering navigation, flight controls, electrical power systems and utilities such as braking systems and door management* systems. The A380’s passenger doors are for the first time ever electronically controlled instead of mechanically operated. Within the cabin, the company provides state-of-the-art lighting systems and Inflight Entertainment systems.

Thales systems comprise a significant percentage of the electronics onboard the A380 and as such the company plays a significant role in bringing the aircraft to market. An average of 350 Thales employees per year worked on developing systems onboard the A380 over a period of five years.

Thales in addition supplied the A380 with a state-of-the-art full flight simulator for crew training. Innovative Thales solutions give crews on the A380 all the onboard intelligence they need for flying the aircraft, and the company’s expertise in simulation and air traffic management provides the breadth of vision required to further develop optimum solutions for this aircraft of the future.

Innovation for the Pilot
The A380 cockpit contains completely new technology, such as the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) suite, never before seen on an aircraft. With an eye on the future, the cockpit has been designed in a way that will reduce training costs and optimise use of airline resources. Namely, an A380 pilot will need just minimal amounts of training to be able to transfer to the new layout and functions of the next generation A350 XWB.

Innovation and IMA
The A380 is the first aircraft ever to be fitted with the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) suite, a major technical evolution of global importance for airlines and operators. Designed by Airbus and co-developed with Thales and Diehl Aerospace, the IMA is a leap-ahead technological innovation, with all onboard computing modules networked and able to support different applications. The result is a substantial improvement in computing power, reliability, maintainability, volume, weight and scalability.

Through its IMA platform, Thales has halved the number of parts required, leading to significant gains in direct maintenance costs as communication between the different systems is optimised. The principles of standardisation and the multiple use of function units are applied by combining computing as well as input and output functions in standardised computer platforms.

The IMA solution maximises the benefits of reuse developed for the Airbus A380 and specific requirements of the A400M, the Airbus military transport aircraft currently under development. For the A400M, the IMA has been adapted to meet military requirements for resistance to higher vibration levels, higher electromagnetic compatibility and necessary lightning protection system.

Innovation and the Onboard Airport Navigation System
Thales is providing the world’s first Onboard Airport Navigation System (OANS) within the A380 cockpit, providing crewmembers with improved situational awareness on airport surface manoeuvres. OANS allows the flight crew to more efficiently navigate at airports, which have become increasingly congested.

The OANS draws on an Airport Mapping Database (AMDB) to dynamically display the aircraft position on high-resolution geo-referenced airport maps. This information is presented to pilots via a large format liquid crystal display (Navigation Display).

On ground, the function displays high-resolution airport moving maps that depict the aircraft’s position in relation to airport surface features for taxiing operations from and to the gate. The system and database are designed with commonality for Airbus aircraft, first deployed on the A380, and then on A330/A340, A320 families, as well as on the future A350XWB.

Innovation and Head-Up Display
The Head-Up Display (HUD) is making its first appearance on an A380 aircraft with the entry into service of the A380 with Air France, the first airline to select the Thales HUD (in dual configuration) for this aircraft type. The European Aviation Safety Agency certified the Thales HUD on the A380 in both single (left seat only) and dual (left and right seats) configurations. Other Thales A380 HUD customers include China Southern Airlines and Korean Air.

The HUD increases pilot situational awareness by creating the conditions for a smoother transition from head down to head up. This feature is particularly advantageous during approach and landing phases, when it displays trajectory related symbols superimposed on the pilot’s actual external view.

The new Thales HUD is based on innovative and proven technologies and is already available as a catalogue option on Airbus Single Aisle and A380 aircraft families in current production.

Innovation for the Passenger
Innovation and Inflight Entertainment
Air France is equipping all of its A380 fleet with the advanced Thales TopSeries Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system. This system provides high-speed delivery of onboard services with large, widescreen displays at every seat. Air France A380 passengers can access a broad range of entertainment that includes approximately 100 on-demand movies, 300 audio CDs, 26 games, live camera, flight information map, in-seat chat and a customised menu option for children.

Air France is the first airline to equip each seat in the Affaires and Voyageur cabins with a USB socket, enabling passengers to download content such as flight schedules, information on Air France, destinations guides, games for children, as well as relaxation videos and podcasts. Passengers select the “Forum” programme from the list, which automatically disconnects when another application is selected.

The TopSeries IFE system is the first passenger system of its type to integrate on-demand entertainment and in-seat power to accommodate personal electronic devices. With a growing market share that today exceeds 40%, this web-based system is scalable to any aircraft and has been selected by more than 50 airlines worldwide.

Innovation and Cabin Lighting
Thales and Diehl’s joint venture company Diehl Aerospace, the world leader in cabin mood lighting, supplies the general cabin lighting system onboard the A380. This solution consists of the very latest technology for cabin lighting installations on commercial airliners in service.

The system enhances passenger relaxation by means of innovative ceiling mood lighting throughout cabin, creating restful day and night ambiences. These lighting innovations contribute to diminishing the effects of jet lag.

The so-called mood lighting effect is created by the Hybrid Integrated Ballast Unit (HIBU) system, by means of which LED elements complement conventional fluorescent light tubes. The HIBU system is superior to previous cabin lighting installations on long-range aircraft, because its MELODY (Modular Enhanced Low Dimming) technology allows for more variation than ever before in lighting scenarios.

MELODY means that cabin light on the A380 can be dimmed down to 0.1 per cent, and the technology is particularly effective for simulating a gradual increase of light again. As such, day and night effects can be simulated very subtly.

Thales is very proud to be onboard the A380 and to have worked alongside Airbus to tailor the very latest technological innovations to meet the needs of this superior aircraft.

Neuilly-sur-Seine, 20 October 2009 – Japan Airlines has chosen the Thales TopSeries system as the Inflight entertainment platform on its Boeing 767.

“Japan Airlines pays close attention to products that can cater to the needs of our passengers. After a thorough review, Japan Airlines found the TopSeries architecture to be the right platform. We are happy to be working again with Thales, sharing an excellent relationship,” said Shigeru Nagatomi, Vice President of Maintenance Material Planning & Supply Department with Japan Airlines.

The airline has in total committed to install the TopSeries system across its fleet of B767s, B777s, and B787s. System features vary in accordance to domestic and international routes.

“Japan Airlines is one of our first IFE customers, dating back to 1997, when we installed our first generation AVOD system on part of Japan Airline’s B747-400 fleet. We appreciate their vision for the future and we will ensure that the TopSeries system remains aligned to their needs,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales’s Inflight
Entertainment Systems business.

Beyond the system itself, Thales supports content management requirements for all aircraft with the TopSeries system onboard. Thales’s turnkey maintenance program, TopCare, is a comprehensive service available to airlines.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com

Thales announced today that it has delivered the first of seven TopSeries systems onboard Oman Air’s new A330 aircraft. This TopSeries system configuration is the most capability-rich Thales’s platform, flying with features such as live landscape camera, satellite TV, duty free shopping and ordering, passenger surveys, food and beverage services, cached websites, a personal electronic device interface and much more.

First class passengers will be immersed in an unmatched flying experience with the largest widescreen in-seat displays available providing access to a myriad of exciting applications all controlled by a custom designed wireless passenger control unit. The state of the art graphical user interface will also give business and economy passengers control of the same impressive list of entertaining and informative features. “We found Thales to be the right company to work with on this program as their system and services matched what we want for our passengers and operations, and the Thales people truly support our vision,” said Peter Hill, CEO of Oman Air. Beyond the TopSeries system, Oman Air has selected the Thales TopCare turnkey maintenance service, which puts full responsibility of all maintenance and support requirements in the hands of Thales.

“We are very proud to have been selected by Oman Air and look forward to supporting the airline for years to come. Their system is a great example of how an airline can maximize the utility of the TopSeries platform. We are confident that their passengers will be pleased,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment business. The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for September 30th from Muscat to Frankfurt, Germany.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com

Paris Air Show, June 18, 2009 – Thales and Liebherr are pleased to announce the signature of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to create a partnership covering a range of business and research initiatives within the field of Power Optimized Aircraft.

Liebherr and Thales will drive a first joint innovative R&T program called “GETI”* which will be cofunded by the French Aviation Authority (SDCA). This initiative is launched in the framework of new generation aircraft.

Thales and Liebherr, as tier 1 suppliers, have a joint ambition for supporting airframers within “Power Optimized Aircraft” architectures by delivering innovative solutions for the technology development of greener aircraft.

Jean-Marc Alias, Head of Electrical Systems activities for Thales aerospace said, “With Liebherr Aerospace we have the same understanding of our customers’ key requirements. Our technology developments which include the On-Board Power Management Centres are driven by the costeffective solutions we deliver to our customers and end-users.”

“By bringing together our specific competencies we are able to strengthen our powers of innovation in order to optimize the transformation of pneumatic systems into a more electrical system”, explained André Benhamou Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse President. “We are taking onboard the challenge of the Power Optimized Aircraft which is a nose-to-tail systems optimization of on-board power architecture. This is an important step, since it enables benefits in terms of weight savings and reliability improvements”, he added.

The partnership has an open approach to breakthrough innovation in the optimization and application of technology. This approach is totally consistent with the recently published CORAC** and ACARE*** road map.

The alliance’s ambition is both to support airframers at the earliest stages of aircraft conception phase and also to federate other partners

*Gestion dynamique de la puissance Electrique et de Gestion ThermIque

** Conseil d’Orientation de la Recherche en Aéronautique Civile

***ACARE is the “Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe” and is an aerospace technologyfocused platform. Its members are all European stakeholders in the fields of aeronautics and air transport:

industry players, research centres, academia, airports, airlines, regulators, the European Commission and Member States. ACARE’s ultimate objective is to define a mid- to long-term aeronautical research agenda, which is then rolled out in a coordinated, harmonised manner by its members. The deliverables are aimed at maintaining the competitiveness of the European aerospace industry and meeting the needs of society at large.

Paris Air Show, 16 June, 2009 – Thales, a leader in inflight entertainment systems,
is pleased to announce that Qatar Airways has selected the Thales TopSeries
system for its fleet of 30 Airbus single aisle aircraft. The airline will provide its
passengers a comprehensive audio and video on-demand entertainment and
information experience in all classes of service with first aircraft delivery scheduled
for November 2009.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Office Akbar Al Baker said the new system would give
passengers unprecedented entertainment options on its narrow body fleet. “Seatback
screens and audio video on demand are new to our single aisle fleet and we
wanted to be ensure that our IFE offering was of the highest standards, Qatar
Airways believes the Thales system offers the product features and reliability our
passengers and crews will appreciate. We look forward to offering our customers
compelling entertainment system.”.

Retrofit and line-fit installations are part of the program requirement, and the airline
has included the option for an additional 10 aircraft. “We are very pleased to be
working with Qatar Airways and share their vision to provide passengers a wide
range of entertainment choice,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General
Manager of Thales’ Inflight Entertainment Systems business. Thales continues to
grow its presence in the Middle East with now over 200 aircraft in the region
committed to flying with the TopSeries system.

Neuilly sur Seine, 7 April 2009 – Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems, is pleased to announce that Korean Air chose Thales’s TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment system for six of its recently purchased Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This order follows the airline‘s original commitment for the TopSeries system on 10 B787, 35 B777 and 19 A330 aircraft. Consistent across the fleet, passengers will enjoy large screen displays, and in-seat features including a slim line passenger control unit, USB port for personal electronic connectivity and in-seat power for laptops. System functions are comprehensive and include a small map display on the passenger control device, 3-D games, live landscape cameras and daily news.

“Thales’s IFE system provides the commonality we require for our aircraft. We are impressed with both the system capability and Thales’s commitment to the program,” said Mr. S K Lee, Managing Vice President of Procurement for Korean Air. The TopSeries system for all of the airline’s aircraft is based on Thales’s next generation 3-D technology, which provides more powerful performance and efficiency. First aircraft deliveries will take place in May 2009. “Korean Air is a prominent customer for Thales in the Asia Pacific region. Our relationship is strong and we look forward to working with their organisation for years to come,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment systems business.

About Thales’s IFE systems

Thales entered the In-Flight Entertainment business in the late 90s and today employs 700+ dedicated professionals with decades of IFE experience. Its IFE headquarter office is located in California with regional offices in France, China and Singapore. Thales is the fastest growing IFE supplier with over 1,000 aircraft commitments in just 5 years. Thales offers a comprehensive In-Flight Entertainment solution covering four main areas:

• TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment systems
• TopConnect Suite of Connectivity Solutions
• TopEffects Digital Media and Services
• TopServices Global Service and Support

For more information about Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment systems visit www.thales-ifs.com.

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion.

Aircraft Interiors, Hamburg 31 March 2009 – Thales, a leader in In-Flight Entertainment systems, is pleased to announce that British Airways has decided to purchase additional TopSeries systems for a retrofit installation on eighteen Boeing 777 aircraft. This order comes after an earlier announcement when Thales and British Airways agreed to a multimillion pound deal that will put the Thales’s TopSeries In-Flight Entertainment system on the airlines new delivery and next generation aircraft. The selection for these existing B777 aircraft provides all passengers a consistent travel experience in line with the new aircraft orders.

With bigger, clearer LCD screens, the TopSeries system will give passengers access to more than 100 movies, 300 programmes and 400 CDs as well as a range of radio programmes and podcasts whenever they want. The system will also include a range of interactive and multiplayer games as well as several e-learning applications, which will allow passengers to enjoy a web-like experience from their seat. Other features include:

• Enhanced wide screen sizes
• USB and RCA jack ports at each seat throughout the cabin for personal electronic device (PED) connection and charging
• In-seat laptop power plugs throughout the cabin
• Noise cancelling headsets in all premium class seats
• New 3-D interactive moving map applications in all cabins

“Thales is very pleased that British Airways has elected to extend the scope of our endeavor,” said Mark Barclay, Vice President and Managing Director at Thales UK’s aerospace business said: “The airline will take delivery of its first aircraft with the TopSeries installed in 2010.”

Thales’s IFE Systems

Thales entered the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) business in the late 90s and today employs 700 + dedicated professionals with decades of IFE experience. Its IFE headquarter office is located in California with regional offices in France, China and Singapore. Thales is the fastest growing IFE supplier with over 1,000 aircraft commitments in just 5 years. Thales offers a comprehensive in-flight entertainment solution covering four main areas:

• TopSeries Inflight Entertainment Systems
• TopConnect Suite of Connectivity Solutions
• TopEffects Digital Media and Services
• TopServices Global Service and Support

For more information about Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment Systems visit www.thales-ifs.com .

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion.