Boeing, Emirates Airline announce largest electronic flight bag order

Emirates also is becoming the largest customer for Boeing's Terminal Wireless technology, which allows it to send broadband data to and from airplanes from touchdown to takeoff. The EFB and Terminal Wireless make Emirates a leader in moving toward an e-Enabled air transport system.

'We are pleased to become the world's largest EFB customer,' said Adel Al Redha, executive vice president, engineering & operations, at Emirates. 'We are committed to working cooperatively within the aviation community on development and implementation of leading-edge technologies that enhance safety, increase efficiency and ease pilot workload.'

Boeing Commercial Aviation Services will install the fully certified, fully integrated Class 3 EFBs on 777-300ERs Emirates has on order. The airline will receive its first EFB-equipped 777 in March.

The EFB system stores digitally all the documentation and forms pilots typically carry onto airplanes. It also has an on-board performance tool that instantly calculates an airplane's ideal speed and engine setting, in any weather, on any runway, with any payload. Such calculations can increase by up to 9,000 kilograms (20,000) the payload a 777 taking off from a wet runway could carry.

What's more, the EFB provides a view from cabin surveillance systems, helping meet current and anticipated regulatory requirements.

The EFB uses open systems architecture so airlines can use software applications from many vendors. Boeing received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint Airworthiness Authorities certification for its Class 3 EFB in October 2003, when the first commercial unit was delivered to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.