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Emirates ditches Apple's iPads, KIS(ses) Microsoft's Windows 8

Emirates is creating a new KIS tablet that is light and has a long battery life, ideal for non-stop flights
Dubai-based Emirates airline will be creating its own Windows 8-driven tablet for in-flight applications, putting to sleep earlier rumours that it might use Apple's iPad as its preferred co-pilot.

At the Windows 8 launch event in Dubai yesterday, Emirates announced the development of a line-of-business application for Windows 8 called Knowledge Driven Inflight Service (KIS).

Emirates, one of the world's largest and fastest growing airlines, has opted for a Windows 8-driven tablet over Apple's iPad, which many thought would have been the obvious choice of the airline.

"An in-flight communication and customer relationship management device first introduced by Emirates for its pursers in 2004, the KIS application will now run on the soon-to-be-launched HP ElitePad 900 business tablets and will enable Emirates to continue to deliver extraordinary customer service and experiences," a Microsoft statement said, rubbing in the fact that "Emirates Airlines uses Windows 8 to improve productivity and increase level of service".

"At Emirates, we strive to deliver the world's best in-flight experience," said Kevin Griffiths, Senior Vice-President, Cabin Crew at Emirates. "We constantly invest in the best aircraft, products and service. To support our crew, we have created an application on Windows 8 that delivers a unique, personalised experience with the necessary information for our cabin crew to better serve the needs of customers. The Windows 8 platform running on HP ElitePad 900 devices gave us this option, allowing us to create the KIS app that enables our crew to offer an experience not available on other airlines."

Pursers on the flight use the KIS application to brief the cabin crew before every flight and understand how to best meet the personal preferences and needs of passengers.

The crew can also use the application to easily conduct in-flight upgrades to business class or first class for Emirates Skywards members, as well as customer feedback that is immediately routed to headquarters upon landing.

As the first global customer of the HP ElitePad 900, Emirates is creating a new KIS tablet that is light, attractive and has a long battery life, ideal for nonstop flights. The device, announced by HP in October and available to customers in January 2013, is built specifically for business users, offering Windows 8 optimisation and a beautiful lightweight design.

Combined with Windows 8's touch-optimised user interface, which quickly shows the most important information via Live Tiles, the crew can spend more time interacting with customers in a unique and efficient way.

When deployment across its fleet is complete, Emirates will have 1,000 HP ElitePad 900 devices running the KIS application on Windows 8. More information on the KIS application running on Windows 8 is available at the Microsoft Showcase.

© Emirates 24|7 2012

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