Virgin Australia’s free Wireless In-flight Entertainment system

[day-heg]

Virgin on board wifi

Just thinking I’d share a few thoughts about the on-board wifi that I briefly experienced this morning… I say briefly because YH-YID was operating the MEL-DRW red eye, and at 0145 this morning I had neither the inclination or brain-power to give it the attention it warranted!

• Text message from VA to inform me that the flight would be wifi equipped was welcomed and a good touch. Ideally it wouldn't have been at 0655 yesterday morning, but that’s an aside. (I am a Plat and was travelling in J on a comp upgrade, so don’t know if it was for one of those reasons I got an SMS, or if they were sent to everyone.)
• There were 8 iPad minis in the Business class cabin as it seems from reading the FAQs on the app that only iDevices and Windows Silverlight(?) devices are supported (via an app download or similar), and Android is not. The Galaxy tablets were also provided in seatback pockets, but not compatible with the wifi. Sorta defeats the idea of rolling out Galaxy tablets to your fleet when they are not compatible with your intended IFE solution, but that’s another aside!
• The choice of music/radio/podcasts was reasonable, and it seemed slightly more comprehensive than on the Samsung tablet.
• There were 33 movies available, and a number of TV shows. Don’t ask me what they were! The movies selection on the tablet was different, albeit with some common films.
• I downloaded the app onto my phone before we departed, but it has not yet been updated to make use of the bigger iPhone 5 screen. Minor point, but it should be address in time for when more aircraft are fitted with the wifi kit.
• App is quite slick, follows the VA corporate identity & colours, and is intuitive to use.
• As expected, the wifi doesn't support internet connection... but it was worth a try!

Think that’s it… I’m still suffering the effects of returning from Dubai on Monday morning and a redeye this morning, so if anything else comes to the forefront of my befuddled mind, I’ll add it!

Safe travels,
D-H.

 

[DJ332]

Re: Virgin on board wifi

• There were 8 iPad minis in the Business class cabin as it seems from reading the FAQs on the app that only iDevices and Windows Silverlight(?) devices are supported (via an app download or similar), and Android is not. The Galaxy tablets were also provided in seatback pockets, but not compatible with the wifi. Sorta defeats the idea of rolling out Galaxy tablets to your fleet when they are not compatible with your intended IFE solution, but that’s another aside!

What the?!

 

[aurora]

Re: Virgin on board wifi

• There were 8 iPad minis in the Business class cabin as it seems from reading the FAQs on the app that only iDevices and Windows Silverlight(?) devices are supported (via an app download or similar), and Android is not. The Galaxy tablets were also provided in seatback pockets, but not compatible with the wifi. Sorta defeats the idea of rolling out Galaxy tablets to your fleet when they are not compatible with your intended IFE solution, but that’s another aside.

Virgin say on their website that they're "working to increase availability of the system" with Android etc - Wireless In-flight Entertainment | Virgin Australia

Silverlight is a technology that's on most windows laptops.

 

[Guru1]

Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I was told on a flight today that at least 12 aircraft are now fitted with wireless IFE, ready to be turned on and will be announced when the majority of the fleet is fitted. To date the only aircraft with it actually working is YID.

 

[smit0847]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Why didn't they install it when they changed the seats over 18 months ago?

This has taken far too long.

 

[markis10]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Why didn't they install it when they changed the seats over 18 months ago?

This has taken far too long.

Its been installed in all the BSI aircraft during production, putting it into service is a different matter, would rather see them get it right then rush it and get it wrong, besides I suspect catering is more of a priority at present.

 

[Lowgoz]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Sat on YID while they made announcement after announcement about the amazing Wifi Service ... which only works on apple products
come on guys, wheres the android app? how hard can it be? !

 

[pat25d]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE



10char......

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

come on guys, wheres the android app? how hard can it be? !

Not too hard, apparently:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.lufthansa.ife.de
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.lufthansa.ife.lh

 

[bullerdude]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I'm sure the Android app will be released around the time this becomes generally available... given it will be required to move the Galaxy Tabs in business class onto the Wifi system.

From one of the original press released last year: “This Wi-Fi system will allow guests to stream video and audio directly to their own personal electronic devices, Wi-Fi enabled laptops or the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.”

 

[bullerdude]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Why didn't they install it when they changed the seats over 18 months ago?

This has taken far too long.

Maybe... but if they have already progressed through 12 aircraft then they are actually running more or less to their schedule... which is a nice change.

"Subject to it being successful – which we expect it to be – we'll start the (fleet-wide) fit-out round about February, and by the end of 2013 we'll have a large part of our fleet done" Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti told Australian Business Traveller last month.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hi guys,

The Wireless Inflight Entertainment trial has progressing well, and we're on track to be able to offer the product on more of our aircraft during the next quarter, so stay tuned for finalised dates.

Yes, we're also working to to have the system available on most Android devices, but more on this in the next few months.

In the meantime, if you do fly on our trial aircraft and experience Wireless IFE for yourself, feel free to give us more feedback!

 

[docjames]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Sorry to be a little tangential on the topic - but the galaxy tabs we had transcon J (on 738) last weekend were hopeless - nowhere to put them when food / drinks on tray table, the headphones were terrible (mrsdoc rejected three sets!) with barely audible volume, and the range of programs on offer was pretty miserable.

No doubt the wifi will assist in the first part, but the "space" and the volume issues (especially in J) were really sub-par. Please can this be looked at as part of the "trial"?

FWIW I have submitted feedback online to VA (which raised the issue but was more to compliment the crew on their service on our flights - at least the return leg was on the A330!).

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Sorry to be a little tangential on the topic - but the galaxy tabs we had transcon J (on 738) last weekend were hopeless - nowhere to put them when food / drinks on tray table, the headphones were terrible (mrsdoc rejected three sets!) with barely audible volume, and the range of programs on offer was pretty miserable.

No doubt the wifi will assist in the first part, but the "space" and the volume issues (especially in J) were really sub-par. Please can this be looked at as part of the "trial"?

FWIW I have submitted feedback online to VA (which raised the issue but was more to compliment the crew on their service on our flights - at least the return leg was on the A330!).

Hi Doc,
Are you saying that the tablets don't fit in the seat pockets while the tray tables are down?
Will pass on your feedback about the headphones, and what programs would you like to see offered?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

The Samsung tablets are better than the previous version, I was on a Wifi plane but with the service switched off.

 

[jaspon]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hi Doc,
Are you saying that the tablets don't fit in the seat pockets while the tray tables are down?
Will pass on your feedback about the headphones, and what programs would you like to see offered?

I think what he is saying, is with the 738 j class, once you have a meal tray there is nowhere else to put the tablet for viewing etc.
Also I can totally agree with the volume on the galaxy tabs, absolutely terrible.
I think its a combination two things - when the tablets were configured for VA they fiddled around and preset the max volume too low
- and both the bud style white and cheaper black headsets are terrible quality.

The only was to get a decent volume/sound out of those tablets is to BYO quality headset.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hi Doc,
Are you saying that the tablets don't fit in the seat pockets while the tray tables are down?

I can't speak for Doc, but I have the exact opposite problem to what you suggest - whilst eating, the tablet must be in the seat pocket because it's not possible to eat and continue watching the program.

QF's solution to this is a "hanger" on the seatback. I think VA should consider providing something similar, it could (in my uninformed opinion) be relatively cheap, but it would dramatically boost the utility of the product.

Consider how many more ad impressions you could sell on the "flight map" channel if the tablets were visible whilst pax were eating .

 

[grubbidok]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hi guys,
Yes, we're also working to to have the system available on most Android devices, but more on this in the next few months.

xx_ Virgin? A few months is not good enough - and that's just to 'hear more' about it? Considering it is an Android tablet you send to your fancy elite members and used for IFE why is Apple and PC first?

It's like everything seems to be a half-a***d effort. Why are you so keen to have great ideas and then completely screw up the implementation? Anyone would think you're being run by the Labor party.

If you're going to launch something, do it properly - not 'early'. </rant>

 

[samh004]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

why is Apple and PC first?

At least in the Apple case, I've heard time and again that it's easier to make an app for iOS devices than it is for Android, regardless of who paid them more to feature tablets onboard

 

[Bolthead]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I cant vouch on the quality of the sound or volume with the Galaxy however we recently used them on our return trip to RAR in Y+ and utilising our new Hush i7 headphones and we found the sound excellent. I did read on another thread the the standard VA earplugs are no good with the Galaxy's...As for the available room while eating it was a little cramped however by utilising the middle (oversize) armrest we managed to eat and watch at the same time. Of course a J meal is a bigger foot print with more food than Y+ so I guess things would be more cramped.