Cathay Pacific Airways and Panasonic (News - Alert) are set to partner for the benefit of airline passengers. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide full broadband connectivity on all Cathay Pacific and Dragonair passenger aircraft.

Final terms are still being negotiated, although the MOU will allow the parties to immediately begin plan development on the provision of connectivity for passengers, along with promotional, sponsorship and eCommerce opportunities for Cathay Pacific partner brands.

To date, Cathay Pacific is the first Asia airline to announce an intention to deploy Panasonic Avionics' Global Communications Suite broadband connectivity solution, as well as the first airline throughout the global marketplace with plans to provide the solution across its entire fleet. With the final launch is subject to regulatory approval, services are expected to begin in early 2012.

Alex McGowan, Head of Product for Cathay Pacific, said in a statement: "Connectivity will form an important part of our overall customer proposition. Having that connectivity integrated closely with our video on demand entertainment system is especially valuable as it means that all passengers will be able to use the service.

“We believe that being connected is now an expected part of everyday life – not just for business purposes but also to stay in touch with family and friends. This system will allow passengers to be as 'in touch' as they wish to be while enjoying the great Cathay Pacific and Dragonair service," McGowan added.

Cathay Pacific will gain connectivity with the Panasonic Avionics connectivity solution made up of eXConnect broadband service, eXPhone GSM phone service and a CX-branded free-of-charge entertainment portal, which will be accessible through all passenger devices and seatback screens.

eXConnect delivers two-way broadband connectivity to support a wide range of passenger and crew applications, such as Internet access, voice, data and the ability to monitor and transmit airline operational data in real time at up to 50 Mbps.

The eXPhone is offered in collaboration with AeroMobile’s GSM mobile phone technology. It allows passengers to use their mobile phones, smart phones and BlackBerry (News - Alert) devices on board to complete voice calls, SMS text messages or to use data services.

Entertainment content will include a full range of programming updated during the flight; access to airline and partner sites, eCommerce, airline-specific advertising and live television with unique pay-per-view capability for special events.

Charles Ogilvie, Executive Director of China for Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: "We are very proud and thrilled to be working with Cathay Pacific. We are committed to serving the needs of the ever-growing markets in China and Asia. With Panasonic Avionics' Global Communications Services, Cathay Pacific will be the first airline in Asia to offer passengers the most innovative in-flight entertainment and communication options onboard commercial aircraft."

In other Panasonic news, the company recently announced the launch of an all-in-one IP-PBX (News - Alert) communications platform, KX-TDE600, that’s ideal for large operations, such as manufacturing facilities, hotels, hospitals and businesses with multiple locations.

The company also recently announced a partnership with DirecTV (News - Alert) in which the entertainment provider will offer three new 3D channels including the Panasonic powered n3D, a linear TV channel that offers only 3D programming and viewable on 3D TV sets like the Panasonic’s new VIERA Full HD 3D TVs. The channel is now available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers on channel 103.