Cabin Electronics Manufacturers 2011

Cabin electronics options continue to expand and improve. At the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention last October, it seemed as though every other exhibit featured airborne high-speed Internet connectivity, e-mail access through BlackBerries or iPhones, wireless interfaces, Blu-ray players, high-definition screens or docks for MP3 ­players. Apps were offered for everything from fuel pricing to cabin management.

Gulfstream introduced its G650 at the show and ­noted that it would be equipped with the company's own cabin-management system. The manufacturer also said passengers would be able to control everything from ­window shades to movies by using an iPod touch synched to a particular seat.

There's only one problem with all this: the technology is advancing so rapidly that the latest and greatest, selected during the design of a jet interior, may well be outdated by the time the airplane is delivered. But that's life in the technology fast lane.

These cabin electronics manufacturers can take you there.

Cabin Electronics 2011 (208K)