Samsungs are gone

[jonboixxx]

VA938 this morning and the Samsungs are gone. I get way too many emails from Virgin/Velocity but must have missed this memo. Supposedly withdrawn from 1 October but commenced the cost cutting early it seems. Has anyone managed to get Silverlight running on their Mac? I run a windows VMware partition also but can’t seem to access the entertainment system.

 

[toowongman]

Too fiddly, and you can't really eat and watch it at the same time. No point faffing about with them any longer unless they're sponsored by Samsung. It's almost 2020 - if you've evolved enough to fly J you've got your own entertainment.

 

[hydrabyss]

VA938 this morning and the Samsungs are gone. I get way too many emails from Virgin/Velocity but must have missed this memo. Supposedly withdrawn from 1 October but commenced the cost cutting early it seems. Has anyone managed to get Silverlight running on their Mac? I run a windows VMware partition also but can’t seem to access the entertainment system.

I travelled in early August and was told flights under 3 hours had them removed.

 

[Denali]

Ive been offered a tablet every flight and we never use it - prefer to use our phones/own tablet.

Maybe they figured it wasnt used as much these days to warrant having them onboard/asset keeping/hassle ?

 

[serfty]

They still use them on International Shorthaul.

 

[Revolutionary String]

They were a pain in the cough to use, although the free copy of The Australian was good (to use as bird cage lining ).

 

[Dec1971]

No issue with this at all. Hardly ever see people use them and in this day and age vast majority have their own entertainment with them already. The rare occasion one of these tablets was requested there was often a connectivity issue or headphone issue which just disrupted the normal service. Less clutter!

 

[Mattg]

They still use them on International Shorthaul.

I had thought this also, however the VA website now clearly says that this also applies to international short-haul from 30 September.

Business

Our fully inclusive fare allows you to feel at home in our spacious Business class cabin; where you can relax in (or work from) your luxurious leather seat, and enjoy premium food and beverages from our exclusive onboard Business class men

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[AIRwin]

I had thought this also, however the VA website now clearly says that this also applies to international short-haul from 30 September.

Business

Our fully inclusive fare allows you to feel at home in our spacious Business class cabin; where you can relax in (or work from) your luxurious leather seat, and enjoy premium food and beverages from our exclusive onboard Business class men

www.virginaustralia.com

Thanks for the link! Good to know with my upcoming DPS flights. I also noticed a reference to Embraer 190 aircraft at the bottom of the same page. Hmm...

 

[jonboixxx]

Too fiddly, and you can't really eat and watch it at the same time. No point faffing about with them any longer unless they're sponsored by Samsung. It's almost 2020 - if you've evolved enough to fly J you've got your own entertainment.

It was a heads up to those who I do see using the tablet and may fly less frequently and can balance a device and eat at the same time. Notwithstanding that most of us do have additional forms of distraction, my post was definitely not directed at yourself, a clearly completely evolved being.

 

[cityloop]

This decision makes financial sense for VA. I prefer to use my own iPad paired with my bluetooth headphones anyway.

 

[blaz]

Couldn't care less, but a power point/recharge outlet would be nice in business, and free wifi.

 

[toowongman]

Couldn't care less, but a power point/recharge outlet would be nice in business, and free wifi.

If your aircraft has WiFi, there's a free option. Some 737s have AC power in J.

 

[The Flying Brick]

I always have my own iPad with me so have never used the Samsung.
As above, most of the 738's have power in J and the wifi is now on most planes too although as I've found with every airline that I've flown inflight wifi can be very hit and miss. In the case of QF it's usually a miss.

I was on VA894 out of SYD on Thursday night last week and the bloke in the seat behind me 2A or 2C was complaining about the there been no tablets, but in hundreds of flights I cant actually remember any one else using them other than my own kids when we take them on holiday.

What VA could do is provide the premium (payable) wifi service to J passengers as a complementary service which would be way more useful (and appreciated) than a Samsung tablet.

 

[hydrabyss]

It was a heads up to those who I do see using the tablet and may fly less frequently and can balance a device and eat at the same time. Notwithstanding that most of us do have additional forms of distraction, my post was definitely not directed at yourself, a clearly completely evolved being.

This sounds like myself and after many years managed to include an alcoholic drink into the balancing act. The only thing I could not manage was the constant interruptions from my partner while doing all this.

 

[stm1sydney]

Yes, indeed, I prefer my own smaller device (phone) as I was always scared of knocking over my gin with the VA tablet.

 

[jakeseven7]

Personally it doesn't bother me because the VA IFE content breadth is so poor anyway, but this does push them closer to the 'LCC with some frills' model...

More worried that without VA competing, QF will one day follow!

 

[cdp88]

On VA116 from ZQN today they still had the tablets and more than half of the 100% full J cabin used them. I have never used the tablet as I’ve always had my own iPad. Seems that some people still find them useful. I can accept the decision if it contributes to VA remaining viable and continuing to provide choice to Australian flyers. I really enjoy the J service on VA because of the food offering and the staff.

 

[CPMaverick]

I liked the tablets; I don't own a tablet and using the VA tablets was preferable to my phone. Oh well, I'll just drink twice as much wine.