DJs new 737s, pretty impressive.

[LiamR]

shhhhhhhh

Virgin Australia has capability to use mobile phones in-flight - Wings Down Under

I highly doubt that will happen. Satellite internet onboard would be extremely costly. To have a affordable solution we would need a ground to air based system like they use in USA. However, in the US, the whole country is populated so it is easily to install a whole group of cell towers. However in Australia, this is not possible. Not to mention the huge capital required upfront to build the cell towers.

I doubt we will see internet onboard in Australia for 5 years.

 

[jsd]

I highly doubt that will happen. Satellite internet onboard would be extremely costly. To have a affordable solution we would need a ground to air based system like they use in USA. However, in the US, the whole country is populated so it is easily to install a whole group of cell towers. However in Australia, this is not possible. Not to mention the huge capital required upfront to build the cell towers.

I doubt we will see internet onboard in Australia for 5 years.

+1

Just because the aircraft has the capability doesn't necessarily mean it will be used

I'd hate to see the end cost to passengers if such a system were Sat. based, on the Thuraya network for example they charge $9.90 for 5MB :shock:

 

[Noob]

Let's remember that the apparatus we see on the aircraft in the picture above is not a standard option and is an extra. Why would Virgin opt for an extra which it is not going to use in the near future (ie. 12months)

 

[LiamR]

Let's remember that the apparatus we see on the aircraft in the picture above is not a standard option and is an extra. Why would Virgin opt for an extra which it is not going to use in the near future (ie. 12months)

It's for the flight crew to transmit data from the aircraft to the ground.

Remember IIRC the total bandwidth provided from the antenna is something like 400kb/s ? To put this in comparison...

ADSL1 is 512kb/s
Dial-up is 56kb/s

Let's say there is 15 people using the WiFi at one time.... that is 26kb/s per passenger. Very, very slow.

Nobody in their right mind would buy WiFi that slow, especially considering the cost would be at least $5 for 10mb/s (Just look at how much it costs to make a phone call on a plane)

 

[JB007]

I have recently booked flights through Delta from ML > JFK with the ML > SYD flights on DJ. On the DL site it has little icons for various services such as Wi-Fi and AVOD etc. When I was first looking several months ago there were no icons for the DJ flights as I would expect. However I went to select my seats this week and there was a Wi-Fi icon along with the personal TV icon next to the DJ flights. Normally I would think this is just a mistake and they have included the Wi-Fi from the LAX > JFK leg but DL16 ( SYD > LAX) only had the AVOD icon. When I am back on a normal computer I will do a screen shot but I stil think that it is a mistake however these flights are Feb and March next year. Delta has been a little ahead in having changes about DJ than DJ recently but this seems a liitle too hopeful.

 

[dk4]

To have a affordable solution we would need a ground to air based system like they use in USA. However, in the US, the whole country is populated so it is easily to install a whole group of cell towers. However in Australia, this is not possible. Not to mention the huge capital required upfront to build the cell towers.

Plus, if you consider the "need" to be "connected" might be proportional to the length of the domestic flight (i.e. the longer the flight, the more likely someone will purchase "connectivity") then PER flights would probably be the target. Unfortunately most of these flights to/from South Eastern Australia track over open water for a significant proportion of time!

 

[pauly7]

We are still looking at design options for the divider on some of the existing aircraft.

Great to hear DJ are listening to feedback on the cheapie dividers.

Look forward to seeing the new solution.

Thanks

 

[Noob]

Great to hear DJ are listening to feedback on the cheapie dividers.

Look forward to seeing the new solution.

Thanks

I honesty don't know how you come to the conclusion they are cheap. From a interior design prospective the see through component allows the cabin to 'flow' showing its full size creating a feeling of ease, and spaciousness. How can you judge something so readily and so harshly? I like them, I love how the work in Virgin America aircraft, and I urge Virgin Australia to keep them and if they wish to improve them keep the initial theory in mind as it truly does make the 737-800 feel much larger.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I honesty don't know how you come to the conclusion they are cheap. From a interior design prospective the see through component allows the cabin to 'flow' showing its full size creating a feeling of ease, and spaciousness. How can you judge something so readily and so harshly? I like them, I love how the work in Virgin America aircraft, and I urge Virgin Australia to keep them and if they wish to improve them keep the initial theory in mind as it truly does make the 737-800 feel much larger.

Actually, I agree entirely with this reponse. I've stated before that I may feel differently if I flew J more often , but I think these dividers look pretty good (in fact better than curtains). Why is there such an importance placed on a scrap of rag separating what?.........serfdom from the manor born? What a funny ol' fellow is Humphrey

 

[koonyaflyer]

I loVe the dividers too! I have sat on both sides of them, and have to say I think they did a fine job! I like that they not a curtain... Which eventually can look tired and tatty! Go one Virgin Australia ... Dare to be different.

 

[markis10]

My next ex BNE flight and I have the same aircraft! At least I will get a good look at the somewhat controversial divider this time, being in row 3!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My next ex BNE flight and I have the same aircraft! At least I will get a good look at the somewhat controversial divider this time, being in row 3!

OT...but how do you know what plane you'll get before you look out the window at it?

 

[Jack Melon]

OT...but how do you know what plane you'll get before you look out the window at it?

Planefinder.net or flightradar24, or he knew the operations of the aircraft for the day, or someone at operations told him.

 

[LiamR]

OT...but how do you know what plane you'll get before you look out the window at it?

It's generally hard to find out what plane you are on until the day you are flying. Virgin don't even post their aircraft movements for the day internally until midnight each day.

If you look on flight tracker and see an aircraft is on it's way to the airport you are flying out from (and it's a BSI aircraft) you can check what gate it is arriving at. If your departing from the same gate, then theres a good chance your on that aircraft.

The current BSI aircraft are VH-YFC/YFE/YFF

 

[markis10]

OT...but how do you know what plane you'll get before you look out the window at it?

I looked at the inbound flight on Balus.info

Sent from my LG-P500 using AustFreqFly App

 

[dk4]

From a interior design prospective the see through component allows the cabin to 'flow' showing its full size creating a feeling of ease, and spaciousness.

And that is their problem! It is through seclusion and intimacy that you are able to price for exclusivity.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks for the head up guys!

 

[markis10]

While I like the look of the divider, the lack of storage space is a PITA, especially as the narrower seats make it difficult to use your pockets!

 

[jakeseven7]

And that is their problem! It is through seclusion and intimacy that you are able to price for exclusivity.

I agree.

Flew the new plane yesterday actually!

From a FUNCTION point of view - I want a separate cabin - as most of the people on here have stated. The 75% solution with no aisle barrier at the moment fails this. Therefore I'm happy this is being relooked at.

From a FORM and DESIGN point of view - It does look a bit 1990 perspex cheap I have to admit. Not a huge fan. But if they extend it to the ceiling and put in a curtain or door then I'll live with the perspex plastic look!

 

[LiamR]

Could putting a rope between the cabins work? It sounds a bit cheap. But maybe if you could get a thick red (Hollywood golden edge style) rope it could work.

Maybe? Just a thought.