Virgin Australia’s free Wireless In-flight Entertainment system

[pauly7]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Apologies if this has been answered but is the reason VA are slogging onwards with the Galaxy because The QF group stitched up Apple devices?

I can't seem to remember off the top of my head any PR from QF saying Apple was an exclusive deal??

Just wondering why they don't just run with Apple, it's been demonstrated by their competitor to be a solid offering and save for the AFF crew joking about copying QF again (!) what is to lose... maybe this is an instance where they should just copy and run...

 

[totd]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Just wondering why they don't just run with Apple, it's been demonstrated by their competitor to be a solid offering and save for the AFF crew joking about copying QF again (!) what is to lose... maybe this is an instance where they should just copy and run...

I should preface the following with the fact that I have used neither the VA Galaxys, nor the QF iPads... Just offering some thoughts...

The biggest problem with large scale deployments with iPad is the way Apple restrict management/supervisory access. They are great as a personal device, but the customisation and control available with Android (Jailbreaking not withstanding) is well ahead of the Apple offering. Sure, iOS devices can be locked to a single app, but that's just adding unnecessary management overhead. I can see how, on paper at least, an Android device would offer significant management and customisation benefits in a homogeneous environment. One would hope the VA decision is not simply based on being contrary.

Conversely a school may make its decision based on other criteria such as app availability. *cough* like the school where I work *cough*. It's just a matter of selecting the best tool for the job. Although, personally, I prefer iPad/iOS to every Android-based tablet I've seen so far. I'm not opposed to Android, I just haven't found an implementation I like yet.

 

[EvanC]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I've used the iPads available on JQ - once - but not QF.

I found them to be physically very awkward. Nowhere nice to put it really - even on the tray table it was uncomfortably low. In an exit row I couldn't put it further (more comfortably) forward as the headphone cord was too short. The stand case was a little coughbersome, but I found a way to make it work.

There was a very limited range of content, but it was good content. I found a movie I wanted to watch and subsequently viewed it as a thin band across the middle of the 4:3 screen.

So yeah, it passed the time, but I couldn't say it was at particularly good as IFE.


Edit: when I wanted to have a snack, I ended up putting the iPad in my lap and my chips/drink on the tray table.

 

[grubbidok]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

So yeah, it passed the time, but I couldn't say it was at particularly good as IFE.

I've found the same. It's not just the awkward positioning but the screen isn't good for long term viewing either (i.e. over 30 mins) and actually makes me nauseous after a while. Better than nothing, but certainly not better than most of what's already out there IFE-wise.

On the other point though, I for one am happy that VA has chosen not to support our Apple overlords. At least they'll have more control in developing the IFE system on Android.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

What would make you change your mind to have an "interest" in flying with us?

Are you serious? (I sound like John McEnroe) Or are you being facetious?

If you're serious, than I congratulate you. A genuine attempt to look at what frequent flyers are being turned off by!

of course I could also suggest sending the minions forth to read the quadzillion AFF posts discussing the various issues but..............

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

What would make you change your mind to have an "interest" in flying with us?

Hello Virgin rep, thanks for taking the time to ask

1. More food variety in the lounges and spirits (As a Qantas Plat I get this in their lounges) It should not take months of waiting for a trial and then a trail of new
2. A fully working and easy-to-use website - As it stands I can't access my Velocity account at all due to "Unfortunately this request could not be processed." No-one can give me an ETA for it to be fixed.
3. Seat back TV's on aircraft - As it stands you have brand new aircraft with NO IFE at all. Not even audio

 

[docjames]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hello Virgin rep, thanks for taking the time to ask

1. More food variety in the lounges and spirits (As a Qantas Plat I get this in their lounges) It should not take months of waiting for a trial and then a trail of new
2. A fully working and easy-to-use website - As it stands I can't access my Velocity account at all due to "Unfortunately this request could not be processed." No-one can give me an ETA for it to be fixed.
3. Seat back TV's on aircraft - As it stands you have brand new aircraft with NO IFE at all. Not even audio

Three excellent points.

 

[sogg]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Hello Virgin rep, thanks for taking the time to ask

3. Seat back TV's on aircraft - As it stands you have brand new aircraft with NO IFE at all. Not even audio

Its funny when you hear people get excited when they board an old config with the live2air, but when they get on the new config all you hear is complaints

 

[Mak404matt]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Its funny when you hear people get excited when they board an old config with the live2air, but when they get on the new config all you hear is complaints

I tend to move back several rows if its a L2A aircraft!

I prefer the L2A to the extra legroom, but that is just me I suppose.

 

[toowongman]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Each to their own. Would rather have the legroom and a book instead of L2A and sore back.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

Each to their own. Would rather have the legroom and a book instead of L2A and sore back.

I'd rather have the legroom and the option of ife! The LTA is actually superior to the tablet on short haul flights simply because of the greater choice of short play content. Not much point starting to watch a movie when you know you won't finish it!

 

[gwilli1]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I use to love L2A , as I could catch up on the latest news , sport and programmes etc from SKY , especially first thing of a morning when i didn't have a chance before i left home or make it to the lounge . In my opinion it is far superior product when it was launched then what QF had and was a point of difference between the two airlines. Now QF has a far superior product considering VA has nothing or next too nothing . Backward step.

 

[eastwest101]

Re: Virgin Australia WIFI IFE

I use to love L2A , as I could catch up on the latest news , sport and programmes etc from SKY , especially first thing of a morning when i didn't have a chance before i left home or make it to the lounge . In my opinion it is far superior product when it was launched then what QF had and was a point of difference between the two airlines. Now QF has a far superior product considering VA has nothing or next too nothing . Backward step.

Correct - VA/DJ had a far superior gate to gate IFE solution and then deliberately pulled out/omitted the L2A system and replaced it with "no solution", thus giving up one point of differentiation right when they were trying to step up from a LCC to a full service competitor to Qantas.

A spectacular "own goal" in my opinion, but probably not as good as what they did to their web sites since Jan 2013......

 

[Howjac]

Virgin WIFi IFE

sorry can't find the most recent thread on this but just to say, we got to try the wifi IFE on our flight from BNE-MEL today. Seemed to have a much better range than the Galaxy Tablets - especially for the kidlets who had a few tv shows to chose from and some decent films. Only problem on such a short flight is you are pushing it to get through a whole film. I still like the Qantas seat back option (from my recent MEL-WLG flight) where you can watch from about 5 mins after take off right up to landing. Kept the kids quiet though so no complaints from me.

 

[hobo]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

Still no android app

 

[Noob]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

I think with from the sounds of things, it is moving in the direction of tablets/devices becoming permitted on certain jets from gate-to-gate; hopefully, this is a regulatory move which will happen in the next 18-24 months....

I won't hold my breath, don't worry! But it would solve this issue, and would be awesome for getting work done.

 

[pythonisman]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

I still like the Qantas seat back option (from my recent MEL-WLG flight) where you can watch from about 5 mins after take off right up to landing. Kept the kids quiet though so no complaints from me.

Do you mean the "Q Streaming" product, the seat back iPads, or something else?

I was on a SYD-MEL-SYD QF flight a couple of weeks back with the iPad product, and the hosties were pretty firm on having the devices shut down (and the stream was disabled) as soon as the fasten seat belt sign (and the call for electronic devices to be turned off) came round on descent.

That product could really use a custom app being developed for them- the in-browser experience is impressive, but having an annoying bar at the top of the screen the whole time is a bit unnecessary.

I haven't been on a VA flight with the WiFi IFE yet.

 

[Howjac]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

No, it was the in-seat seatback product (sorry I don't know what its called). I'm assuming this:

"B737-800

- Our next generation B737-800 aircraft operating on selected Tasman services offers on-demand inflight entertainment with over 300 entertainment options including 20 movies, over 250 TV Programs, 10 games, 16 radio channels and a dedicated Kids Zone.*".

With the Virgin wifi we had to wait until seatbelt signs went off before we could access it, and switch off before landing so gate-to-gate access in the future would be great. The CS was really plugging the Virgin wifi - she must have mentioned it about 10 times before we took off, plus we got an sms telling us it was on our plane so Virgin are certainly pushing for this to be a success.

​

 

[pauly7]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

All JetConnect QF aircraft operating trans Tasman have OnQ seat back entertainment - and it's great, and yes having gate to gate I suppose would be very handy for kids!

 

[cavemanzk]

Re: Virgin WIFi IFE

I still like the Qantas seat back option (from my recent MEL-WLG flight) where you can watch from about 5 mins after take off right up to landing. Kept the kids quiet though so no complaints from me.

Qantas used to be gate to gate on the Tasman, have they stopped that now?