October 1, 2005 8:01 p.m. EST

Douglas Maher - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Everett, Washington (AHN) - Boeing selects Thales, an international electronics and systems group, serving defense, aerospace, security and services markets worldwide, as the first recommended in-flight entertainment provider for the company`s all-new 787 Dreamliner series.

The new Thales system, called the TopSeries i-8000, uses a wireless network to deliver DVD-quality video to each seat on an airplane. The product will interface with the connexion by the Boeing system that provides broadband connectivity for the 787 and allows passengers to access the Internet and e-mail systems.

The wireless concept will also allow airlines to more quickly reconfigure their airplanes to meet changing demands, reducing the amount of time it takes to change seating arrangements from hours to minutes.

The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 223 passengers in three-classes of seating with a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles. The 787-3 will carry 296 passengers in two-class seating on ranges up to 3,500 nautical miles. The 787-9, a longer version of the 787-8, will carry 259 passengers in three classes with a range of 8,300 nautical miles.