Virgin Australia Unveils First Phase Of Inflight Entertainment Plans

[Noob]

This article by AusBT has many more details including phase 2: internet (however, obviously not all the details!)

Virgin Australia: wifi movies & music for tablets, laptops

 

[pshepvic]

QF you can start using your own device once the seatbelt sign is off...

Same on VA. Although VA has an earlier "bing bong" from the Captain that allows the FA's to get up before the seatbelt sign is turned off. I always start using my iPad at that point, and have never been told otherwise. They also start handing out the digiplayers at that point, so I assume it's ok.

...use it until the announcement of "prepare the cabin for landing". VA the other week was turning it of not long after the descent started.

QF have done this for at least a year.

My experience, as described previously, has not been the same. Maybe I've been unlucky with the flights I've been on, and yes I've probably only taken 8 or so domestic flights with them this year. But, on every one of those flights my experience was that the announcement started with "Ladies and gentlemen we have commenced our descent, therefore please switch off..." and it happened as soon as descent commenced.

On the other hand, I've taken around 60 flights with Virgin this year, and not once have they said to switch off electronic equipment at that stage of the flight - maybe in your recent experience you were unlucky on that count. Yes, it does vary as to exactly when it happens (I guess it depends where crew are at the time) but on VA for me it's never been before the captain's announcement.

 

[maninblack]

You may have noticed that in 2011, as our new planes have joined the fleet, they have been missing an IFE system.

There has been LOTS of conversation and speculation on what we will implement.

We have today announced that we will be collaborating with industry leader, Lufthansa Systems, to develop a state of-the-art inflight entertainment system using Wi-Fi technology delivered to personal, hand-held devices on our aircraft.
Group Executive Product and Guest Services, Martin Daley, said the two companies had signed a letter of intent to produce and install the initial systems, known as BoardConnect, from mid-2012.
“This system, considered to be at the leading edge of inflight entertainment technology, provides guests with a wide range of products including video and audio streaming delivered on demand to personal entertainment devices or Wi-Fi enabled laptops.

“Our new entertainment system will provide guests with more options than ever before to tailor their inflight entertainment experience to their personal tastes along with the freedom to choose how and when they access inflight entertainment.
“This latest product release, combined with our new Business Class and Economy Class cabin environment, further enhances the inflight experience,” he said.
Mr. Daley said the growing number of travellers carrying their own devices meant this new inflight entertainment system would allow Virgin Australia to remain at the forefront of technology.

Features will include:
* Ability to control and view content from personal entertainment devices (PEDs) and WiFi enabled laptops;
* Extensive range of movies, television and audio content;
* On demand controls to start, stop, rewind, fast forward and pause content;
* Selection of games for adults and children including arcade style games in future releases; and
* Service and Product information including destination / airport guides, travel offers and Velocity information in future releases.

Obviously there isn't all the detail above, but we will update you when we can.

One word. FAIL

 

[pshepvic]

One word. FAIL

Ok, I'll bite ... why?

 

[maninblack]

Ok, I'll bite ... why?

Okay I will answer. This brave new world stuff gives me the willies frankly. Let's say I am going on holidays and I don't want to take my laptop, I'm meant to watch movies on my iphone, come off it.

Next weeks family holiday. Are we meant to shlep 4 laptops with us?

We will need to fumble around with laptops and devices rather than have a screen neatly built into the aircraft, reducing the already limited personal space.

Old people and kids. Many don't have laptops or ipads.

Connectivity - you just wait to see the problems they have dealing with all of the different devices.

Ordering food and drinks from your seat. Freshly squeezed OJ to 23A Cafe Latte to 2A coke to 14C Wrap to 5F scotch and coke to 17J red wine and nuts to 13C sandwich and toblerone and white wine to 21K Champagne and Caviar to 1A 3 beers to 28A ..........................come off it this stuff will drive the cabin crew mad.

Will have to turn it off at least 15 minutes before landing which is the current practice.

Being followed and harassed by the airline on my device. No you are not my friend - go away.

I could go on but I need to recharge my iphone which is also very small and difficult to type on.

 

[haydensydney]

[start rant]

God.... the whole "loose items during rejected take-off" argument again...

Have you realised that people in seats are usually facing a wall or the seat in front? So if something did manage to become a "missile", the only thing that it would hit would be that wall or seat in front... it's not like people are holding their ipads above their heads above the height of a normal seat are they?

Totally ridiculous argument that annoys me to no end when it is used.

[end rant]

 

[maninblack]

[start rant]

God.... the whole "loose items during rejected take-off" argument again...

Have you realised that people in seats are usually facing a wall or the seat in front? So if something did manage to become a "missile", the only thing that it would hit would be that wall or seat in front... it's not like people are holding their ipads above their heads above the height of a normal seat are they?

Totally ridiculous argument that annoys me to no end when it is used.

[end rant]

What on earth are you talking about :?:

 

[haydensydney]

What on earth are you talking about :?:

Clearly this doesn't concern you

Link1
Link2

 

[Justchecking]

[start rant]

God.... the whole "loose items during rejected take-off" argument again...

Have you realised that people in seats are usually facing a wall or the seat in front? So if something did manage to become a "missile", the only thing that it would hit would be that wall or seat in front... it's not like people are holding their ipads above their heads above the height of a normal seat are they?

Totally ridiculous argument that annoys me to no end when it is used.

[end rant]

But, but....people have to be protected from life. Isnt our government just one big friendly cotton wool supplier keeping all of us fragile beings safe in a scary world? To be honest if we werent all so busy being plugged into our anti-social devices we would look around the cabin after the flight attendants are strapped in and see half the cabin playing with their digital bits and pieces anyway. We'd also see approximately 2 out of three 3 females get their handbag out from under the seat and put it on their lap, in the aisle or the seat next to them. There's plenty of flotsam loose in the cabin on takeoff and landing anyway....

 

[maninblack]

Clearly this doesn't concern you

Link1
Link2

Didn't read those. Yes well err...

 

[nlagalle]

[start rant]

God.... the whole "loose items during rejected take-off" argument again...

Have you realised that people in seats are usually facing a wall or the seat in front? So if something did manage to become a "missile", the only thing that it would hit would be that wall or seat in front... it's not like people are holding their ipads above their heads above the height of a normal seat are they?

Totally ridiculous argument that annoys me to no end when it is used.

[end rant]

I'll remember to laugh the day you get clobbered by an object. Unlike a car, an aircraft adds an extra dimension to the direction an object can travel.

 

[haydensydney]

I'll remember to laugh the day you get clobbered by an object. Unlike a car, an aircraft adds an extra dimension to the direction an object can travel.

Yes, but were not all throwing marbles and ball bearings around are we? Besides, the <1ft distance between where im holding the ipad and the seat/wall in front isn't enough distance for something to build mass speed...

 

[Sequel]

For me it fails on ergonomics and meal time.

I am almost tempted to give up the legroom in row 4 on the new qf 738's so I can sit in row 5 and not get a crook neck trying to watch a movie for 2 hrs out of the armrest - they don't come out high enough.

Then I flew the new DJ J class row 1, and wished I was back in QF row 4! The tray tables are unstable and at an angle. And then when the meat pie shows up it is game over! At least I could still eat and watch on QF.

Then I read maninblack's post and it got worse!

Plus one on the travelling with family! I hadnt even thought that far ahead. I take a single laptop on holiday as a just in case - I go on holidays for a reason. Now I have to take 4 laptops - WTF?!?

I can half accept it for Y, but for J it is a joke.

Sent from my Nexus S using AustFreqFly

 

[nlagalle]

Yes, but were not all throwing marbles and ball bearings around are we? Besides, the <1ft distance between where im holding the ipad and the seat/wall in front isn't enough distance for something to build mass speed...

The discussion about object flying in the cabin has been had and it was proved that an object could very easily hit and injure someone.

I also don't see other airlines allowing these items to be used during take off and landing, so obviously there is some truth to it. It also means that it is highly unlikely it will operate gate to gate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Or *shudder* a kid whose family forgot headphones streaming the Wiggles. Hope VA staff are happy to actively police this and make sure no one is playing anything through external speakers!

HA, that'd serve all those (who think this is a good idea), right!......but honestly, the DJ staff already do police it (if they need to). I regularly have Pink Floyd blasting my ear drums, but no one else hears (mind you, I can't imagine any sane person having an issue with Pink Floyd full volume) and to be honest, I can't ever recall hearing someone elses audio.

Feels pretty LCC to be honest.

I so agree with this comment. Poor choice DJ. It's not so much the owning a laptop/tablet. I've tried heaps, from big full function lappies to piddling little, but easy to lug, notebooks. The reality is, I dislike with a passion, carrying them. I travel light (often with only carry-on) and add that weight to the carry-on and we're over our 7kgs (is that what it is??). I carry an iPhone, which I love, as it makes life so much easier for me, but if anyone thinks I'm going to sit and watch a movie on it must have been smoking something better than I recently!


Without an option of a DJ supplied tablet AND seatback mount for it, my vote swings to the "this sucks big time" party!

 

[JB007]

I say under 10,000ft because that is generally the height at which the cabin can be unsecured on climb and the height they try to ensure the cabin is secured by on descent. I don't think its an issue with the technology but more the regulations surronding loose items in the cabin.

It would be a shame to survive a left landing gear strut failure only to have a laptop hit you in the head rendering you unconscious while fire engulfs the left wing denying you the initial precious few first seconds you need to survive.

I admit it is very unlikely that this scenario could happen but the impact is potentially very high. I am not saying that I agree with the restriction but it is a restriction. I dont think its in the CAR's or CAO's but I would expect it to be either an insurance requirement or an aircraft manufacturing directive. More than happy to be proven wrong however.

Having a tray table down during take off could also cause serious injuries in the event of heavy braking.

Maybe VA knows something about upcoming restrictions that we dont but I see this as a major concern for the solution. If they can get around this then it will be a pretty good solution.

 

[Noob]

Most details have not yet been released.

Hence, there isn't really a point getting worried about a problem that most likely will never exist

+ According to AusBT there will be tablets available for guests without their own.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

There appear to be too many common sense issues that may have been ignored.

- holidays/familes (4+ devices?? this also increase insurance costs and risk of theft at hotel/destination)
- day trips for business (batteries low by end of the day, no cables..)
- passenger to passenger complaints (can you imagine 3 x 17" laptops side by side?)
- increased risk/damage to customers devices with food/drink
- what if i want to try and sleep with only music?
- significantly increased risk of passenger rage. It's going to happen at some point... some laptops are heavy too..

Not to mention the OHS and Public Liability problems these would create.

The idea of wireless IFE is great; but only as an option in addition to seatback systems.

PS: Live2air is awesome!

 

[maninblack]

+ According to AusBT there will be tablets available for guests without their own.

Do you think they will load up 188 of them

 

[nlagalle]

Do you think they will load up 188 of them

The other factor will be time to distribute and collect them too. Not really suitable for shorthaul.