This will allow passengers to power and charge two devices simultaneously, including smartphones, tablets, laptops.
Southwest Airlines has selected Astronics Corporation to provide the Passenger In-Seat Power System for installation on the 475 Boeing 737 MAX-7 and MAX-8 aircraft fleet. This contract comes as a part of Southwest’s recent cabin upgrade initiative to enhance the customer experience. The system configuration called EMPOWER selected by Southwest Airlines will provide 60W Type-C and 10.5W Type-A USB charging ports at every passenger seat. This will allow passengers to power and charge two devices simultaneously, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other Portable Electronic Devices (PED).
Tony Roach, Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations at Southwest Airlines said, “Our goal was to ensure that, when we took the leap into the in-seat power market, we provided our customers with the latest and greatest cabin power system. Astronics was a clear choice, with their latest-generation system providing USB A and USB C power ports on every seat in the aircraft, in a space-saving system architecture that does not compromise legroom.”
Aaron Clarke, Vice President of Cabin Electronics at Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems said, “Southwest Airlines and Astronics both share a customer-centric strategic vision which includes a desire to collaborate and a willingness to invest in products and services that improve the flying experience. We’re excited our newest system architecture hit the mark with Southwest, and we are excited to be part of the great experience Southwest is bringing to their passengers.”
The delivery for EMPOWER will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 while the actual retrofit installations on Southwest Airlines’ existing MAX-8 fleet will begin in early 2023. The Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification group has been selected to provide the installation design, STC certification, and installation kits for the retrofit. Deliveries to Boeing for the installation on new aircraft on the production line will begin in 2023.
