upgraded PIFE for the 2 330's - hand held only for 737 Business

[Jack Melon]

The "red" inflight entertainment system used by Virgin America and V Australia will be installed on the A330's.

Article here: News - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[serfty]

Red for PAX flying on one of the two 330's but not for 737!

... but only portable players for 737 passengers

Passengers on the newer but more compact Boeing 737-800NG aircraft still won't have in-seat inflight entertainment, but Virgin this morning announced it would be providing portable "digiplayers" for business class customers.

 

[Jack Melon]

Red for PAX flying on one of the two 330's but not for 737!

They need to sort there IFE out. If they are putting IFE on the A330's juts put it on the 737's and E-Jets! Then along with the 777's and A330's the brand consistency will be the same regards to the same IFE system. That is what they want to fix, the same brand product, just install red on it and you are good to go, it is a great system! A320's have it, im sure a 737 can!

 

[winglets747]

Anything in aviation is possible.

Few ideas are economical.

To outfit the 737s with an embedded system, not only would Virgin have to retrofit them after retrofitting the new interior (sorry, can't be done at the same time as there's not enough lead time), seats and seat covers would have to modified to accommodate the IFE screens, cabling, and handset if provided. A good portion of the 737s coming new from Boeing would already have their interior locked in.

New QF 737s have IFE, along with the A330-200s, but the 767s don't so the competitive requirement is not that strong. IFE is a perk, not necessity. Corporate market isn't big on IFE.

Modifying the A330s makes sense. 737s less so. But as Borghetti and Branson say, you will get IFE.

 

[777]

Modifying the A330s makes sense. 737s less so. But as Borghetti and Branson say, you will get IFE.

Any idea when Will? Have the wifi screen blanking issues been resolved yet?

I assume you are in a better position than most to take a guess.

 

[winglets747]

The next two A330s, due early/mid next year and which will be new from Airbus (not ex-EK) will have the new IFE and seats, with the existing two frames (XFA anf XFB) to be subsequently retrofitted.

The blanking, to my understanding, affects usage in the coughpit and not passenger cabin. Boeing, again to my understanding, is likely to effectively place the situation in the hands of airlines. Ultimately in the short-/medium-term, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[777]

The blanking, to my understanding, affects usage in the coughpit and not passenger cabin. Boeing, again to my understanding, is likely to effectively place the situation in the hands of airlines. Ultimately in the short-/medium-term, it shouldn't be a problem.

You seemed to infer earlier that this was the reason why VA hadn't done anything with wifi yet. Is it still a reason holding that up or are they on to other things?

 

[winglets747]

Multiple things on the table. I don't believe the immediacy some reports have portrayed the situation as, although the capability is there. Remember, airlines want PR. They'll keep things open-ended and on a drip feed to keep the good vibrations flowing.

 

[Justchecking]

Wifi connectivity for my iPad is actually my preferred IFE option. More often than not I find the seatback system a pain and turn it off. Dodgy screens, greasy fingerprints and the idea that a thousand other people (who may or may not have washed their hands after using the loo and prior to touching the controls) all make fixed IFE a dead option in my eyes. The rate at which wifi compatible devices are being adopted by
anyone slightly older than a foetus, makes it attractive. I would much rather use my own device than someone else's anyway, at least I know it works.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The rate at which wifi compatible devices are being adopted by anyone slightly older than a foetus, makes it attractive.

Or anyone slightly younger than who? Methuselah?........I don't have one and now I'm feeling small and insignificant. (edit, was referring to an iPad)

I do understand your perspective, but not everyone wants to cart a laptop or iPad with them......and I still haven't heard how the airlines intend to manage a couple of hundred (or so) laptops hurtling around the cabin when an air pocket or an incident is encountered, or for that matter how many people will be somewhat annoyed at not having gate to gate access!

 

[Justchecking]

Well, not being in the know I can't answer your questions. But for me gate to gate isn't a big deal. I don't need to be entertained in the 10mins prior to landing and after takeoff. I'm not that fidgety... I also do not see much difference between 180 loose devices in the cabin in the future and the 179 already loose in the cabin now. Im far more concerned about the 25kg bag above my head Mr 'I'm not checking a bag in' has dragged into the cabin and kindly shoved into a nearby locker. A laptop on the tray table is likely to whizz into a seatback, whereas that bag may just brain me during turbulence. In any case I'll take a 2.5kgs laptop to the head over a 25kg samsonite any day.

 

[777]

I travel everywhere with a laptop and macbook air. My preferred option is probably connectivity for these devices and i'm not against server based wifi IFE - i can see the upside for myself BUT not everyone is in this position: Many people need/expect IFE options on longer flights. I certainly appreciate it.

 

[Justchecking]

Well there's still 3 flights a day with IFE that's included for all pax. If it's that important people have the option to take those flights. And they also happen to be the larger capacity aircraft meaning the majority of transcon pax will have seatback IFE.

 

[777]

Well there's still 3 flights a day with IFE that's included for all pax. If it's that important people have the option to take those flights. And they also happen to be the larger capacity aircraft meaning the majority of transcon pax will have seatback IFE.

From MEL and BNE?

 

[Justchecking]

Wasn't it mentioned on the other thread that a330 is being sold from MEL & BNE on theDJ website? I thought so anyway.

 

[777]

Wasn't it mentioned on the other thread that a330 is being sold from MEL & BNE on theDJ website? I thought so anyway.

Only if you connect in SYD from my looks at MEL. Can't speak for BNE.

 

[winglets747]

Wireless IFE is gaining traction because of the number of passengers who already carry at least one wifi-enabled device, and the general growth projections of that trend. Airlines see the wireless IFE solution as passengers already have the devices/screens and they just need to provider the servers and transmitters. Airlines are not expecting added weight because people feel obligated to bring their own device.

This will never cater for every passenger, but certainly the majority and, arguably, all of Virgin's important passengers--corporate regulars who shuttle around domestically carrying laptops, smart phones, and tablets. Inevitably you will hear complaints of some passenger who didn't have a wifi device on a wireless IFE flight and pledges never to fly that airline again. Chances are that passenger doesn't fly too often anyway.

Long-haul flights will take longer for wireless IFE to become mainstream as that proportion of pax with their PEDs grows.

The caveat, of course, is seat power. Perhaps not necessary on 737s that shuttle around, but for longer flights, yes. UAL will have to address this with wireless IFE going on its 747s.

SIA's LCC seems to be aware of this and sought tenders not only for wireless IFE but seatpower as well. (Reference: SIA's new long-haul LCC to start with 400-seat B777s, plans 16-aircraft fleet within four years | CAPA)

 

[777]

The caveat, of course, is seat power.

Yes i've mentioned that around the traps a few times here. Some devices may have long battery lives but that assumes it is fully charged when you get on board. If i do a MEL-BNE-MEL in a single day and fly back at 8pm there's every prospect that one or other or all of my ipad/ phone/ laptop have a battery that's on it's last legs by the time i get on the flight home and i have relatively new, relatively long life versions of all of the above. Many won't so the ability to charge (a USB port at most seats would do it but a full power point would be much better) is probably crucial.

 

[dk4]

An interesting interview with some Panasonic Execs in the US, with regards to wireless IFE development (although somewhat 787 oriented).
[video=youtube;0axqdyAGDJs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0axqdyAGDJs[/video]