Emirates has become the first airline to introduce audio description on films for visually impaired customers on its inflight entertainment system.

Emirates’ ice (information, communication and entertainment) digital widescreen offers audio description soundtracks on 16 Disney films. The technology, increasingly common in cinemas and TV, is a recorded narration explaining the scene during the gaps in dialogue, while the film soundtrack continues at its normal pace.

In 2007, Emirates also worked with Walt Disney Studios to introduce closed captions, the technology used by the hard of hearing, for the first time in inflight entertainment. This month the airline will offer more than 50 movies with closed captions.

“Making entertainment accessible to our diverse customers is very important to us. It was our motivation to introduce movies that can be enjoyed by customers with visual difficulties.

“Our greatest satisfaction comes from delivering an exceptional customer experience, which we hope our constant innovation fulfils,” said Patrick Brannelly, one of Emirates’ vice presidents.

Emirates currently operates daily scheduled flights from Malta to Dubai using a Boeing 777 aircraft.

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