In-flight Wi-Fi on Virgin Australia

[kerfuffle]

Anyone noticed that the Moving Map is not available anymore on certain aircraft that seem to have updated IFE? Just a duration to destination countdown, and thats it? Are there plans to bring this back?

Yep, I've noticed this as well. Bring back the moving map!

 

[PerryPl]

Yep, I've noticed this as well. Bring back the moving map!

Its strange, as both aircraft were WiFi equipped, BSI fitted, and rolled off the production line one after the other in the same month. The WiFi landing page of both aircraft looked the same, but then the entertainment section was different - without the moving map. Absolutely need to bring this back!!

 

[moa999]

heavily oversubscribed with many 737 flights seeing 300+ active connections to the internet.

How do you know how many devices are connected?

 

[henrus]

How do you know how many devices are connected?

ah my comment was in regards to Qantas domestic wifi which were recently mentioned in a press release as having over 300 individual devices on some 737 flights.

Unlike Emirates which shows the total number of active session neither Qantas or Virgin Wifi shows that information.

 

[elanshin]

Just curious with VA wifi - does it just not activate sometimes even on their M8s or or NGs? it might have been my bad luck but my last couple of flights didnt have wifi working. I think the last one i was on 8IA going SYD - MEL.

 

[Harrison_133]

Just curious with VA wifi - does it just not activate sometimes even on their M8s or or NGs? it might have been my bad luck but my last couple of flights didnt have wifi working. I think the last one i was on 8IA going SYD - MEL.

My last 3 MAX flights both the IFE and wifi weren't working (8IB and 8IF x2). 800s are usually fine in comparison.

 

[henrus]

Anyone noticed that the Moving Map is not available anymore on certain aircraft that seem to have updated IFE? Just a duration to destination countdown, and thats it? Are there plans to bring this back?

So the older wireless IFE and moving map was a product called BoardConnect made by Lufthansa Systems. Lufthansa developed the system and licensed it to other airlines including Virgin (who in 2013 was the first in the region to use the system). Most of the airlines using the platform are Lufthansa group airlines but its also been seen on others like El Al, Condor, Virgin America, SpiceJet.

BoardConnect Digital Experience Platform

Lufthansa Systems

www.lhsystems.com

When Virgin first offered WiFi they used the same network wifi network that the boardconnect system had and installed Gogo equipment as apart of the same network so provide the satellite which was why one used a different login page for the wifi compared to the ife.

Now after during the administration the deal with gogo seemed to abruptly end I'm guess this is because they likely become a creditor but in the mean time gogo was purchased by satellite company Intelsat who have signed the new deal with Virgin to once again deliver satellite internet.

What has changed since the first implementation is that Intelsat has a unified internet/entertainment WiFi system hence the single login page and if you look at the screenshot below you may notice the promotional layout looks familiar. Despite this the one thing the new system lacks as a base level is a moving map feature, my guess (but again just a guess) is Intelsat charge more for a moving map feature and from a cost perspective it made sense not to include it, as seen on Intelsat's website they offer other things like live tv so in the future these features are not out of the question (could go back to live2air days but on your own device)

Entertainment and Engagement | Intelsat

Mobile device views have grown by more than 600% since Wireless Inflight Entertainment (W-IFE) was introduced, and it continues to increase.

www.intelsat.com

I'm also guessing that Virgin pay Lufthansa systems a license fee for the system on a per aircraft basis and it's highly likely the Intelsat platform that delivers both wifi and entertainment in one is cheaper so expect to see less moving maps in the future as aircraft get switched over.

 

[AIRwin]

New 3D map posted by @ChrisBNE :
Post in thread 'General Virgin Australia discussion' General Virgin Australia discussion

 

[henrus]

New 3D map posted by @ChrisBNE :
Post in thread 'General Virgin Australia discussion' General Virgin Australia discussion

They must have heard the complaints earlier in the week

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

No WiFi or IFE on VH-VOL this evening. CM was quite proactive, advising pax on the ground in SYD to download whatever they'd like to watch/listen to whilst on ground...

 

[henrus]

No WiFi or IFE on VH-VOL this evening. CM was quite proactive, advising pax on the ground in SYD to download whatever they'd like to watch/listen to whilst on ground...

The lack of wifi is expected as VOL isn't fitted but the lack of IFE is a bit odd.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

The lack of wifi is expected as VOL isn't fitted but the lack of IFE is a bit odd.

FWIW VOL still has the Live to Air panel at the front with an INOP sticker on it...

 

[PERLHR]

WiFi (intermittent) on my 11 year old 737 from Perth to MEL today.

 

[Harrison_133]

They're starting to install wifi on the aircraft that never had it fitted pre-administration.

Just saw VH-VUL with a wifi radome which it did not have until recently.

 

[AIRwin]

Just saw VH-VUL with a wifi radome which it did not have until recently.

It just operated VA726 but still not showing the WiFi symbol though:

 

[Harrison_133]

It just operated VA726 but still not showing the WiFi symbol though:
View attachment 428233

The flight status page is woefully unreliable for wifi availability. It often shows the symbol for aircraft without wifi, or doesn't show it for aircraft with. It doesn't seem to keep up with aircraft swaps either.

 

[AIRwin]

Not working on YQG this morning