Boeing has announced that Air France will deploy Boeing EFB system software on their 747-400 fleet in the second quarter of 2013. This is the first Boeing software solution designed to work on third-party Class 2 hardware, already used extensively at Air France.

The ability to have a common EFB look and feel across an airline's entire fleet, regardless of EFB hardware provider, provides airlines with significant operational savings.

"The use of Boeing EFB software on third-party hardware allows us to upgrade our older aircraft affordably and operate them more efficiently. We appreciate that with Boeing, we get not only industry-leading information services solutions, but also a dedicated focus on our unique business needs," said Jacques Verriere, Vice President, Flight Operations Engineering for Air France.

Boeing's previous EFB offerings were paired hardware and software solutions. The software-only offering is the result of a transformation in Boeing's EFB strategy.

"Our customers tell us that our EFB solutions are the best on the market. However, given the ever-accelerating pace of change in technology and the wide variety of our customers' business needs, we have begun offering a wide array of flexible solutions," said John Maggiore, director of Airline Performance Management, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "That's how we strive to offer our customers the Boeing Edge."

The new EFB software solution is one of many - both traditional and mobile - that Boeing is developing in partnership with customers as it delivers on its digital airline strategy: helping airlines connect data, information, people and technology across the enterprise to create efficiencies and make the best possible business decisions.