Virgin Australia Unveils First Phase Of Inflight Entertainment Plans

[pshepvic]

Virgin Australia already have this on their international 777s.

Didn't know this - haven't flown V international before.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2

 

[travelislife]

Virgin are providing content which you wont have on your laptop in many cases, hardly zero, and they do have the ability in the BSI aircraft to offer the net, that could be a game changer at the right price. I would be hesitant to judge a book by its cover when we have hardly seen the cover.

I agree with your comment on the net, but not with the content thing. If I have my own device I already have the content on it that I want to watch unless Virgin are planning on streaming LTA through the system which I highly doubt.

And the big kicker for me which I mentioned is the ergonomics of it all, a right PIA, at least jetstar thought theirs through a little more on this side of things.

 

[serfty]

It may be a 777 option - NZ have had it on their 773's the first being delivered 14 months ago.

 

[Noob]

BoardConnect apparently also allows guests to start using the IFE system before boarding in the terminal (or lounge) and finish watching half complete movies etc after your flight.

 

[cavemanzk]

It may be a 777 option - NZ have had it on their 773's the first being delivered 14 months ago.

They also have it on the 4 new non-etops A320s

 

[DJ332]

Let's be positive - while phase one may well not be a game changer and definitely inferior to a seat-back solution, if phase two is indeed going to involve fleet-wide wireless internet access then I'm all for it. Their strategy certainly makes sense financially and quite frankly, if they invent something far superior to AVOD I'd rather not be stuck with it for several years while they go about ripping it out and updating the whole fleet as has happened with systems in the past.

Sure - content streamed through portable devices is not going to be ideal for families, but I guess we have to consider VA's new target market who are the sort of people likely to be equipped with laptops and ipads and are those who will love the convenience of WI-FI and staying connected onboard.

 

[Justchecking]

The big drawback with iPads is that they only have one headphone jack. Otherwise two people\kiddies could share one.

 

[pshepvic]

The big drawback with iPads is that they only have one headphone jack. Otherwise two people\kiddies could share one.

You can get a headphone double adapter on eBay for a few dollars.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[markis10]

The big drawback with iPads is that they only have one headphone jack. Otherwise two people\kiddies could share one.

Easily fixed at trick dickies and elsewhere for $4.95:

 

[serfty]

... or JayCar for $3.95 or less.

3.5mm Stereo Plug to 2 X 3.5mm Stereo Sockets Adaptor - Jaycar Electronics

 

[airtraveladdict]

Let's be positive - while phase one may well not be a game changer and definitely inferior to a seat-back solution, if phase two is indeed going to involve fleet-wide wireless internet access then I'm all for it. Their strategy certainly makes sense financially and quite frankly, if they invent something far superior to AVOD I'd rather not be stuck with it for several years while they go about ripping it out and updating the whole fleet as has happened with systems in the past.

Sure - content streamed through portable devices is not going to be ideal for families, but I guess we have to consider VA's new target market who are the sort of people likely to be equipped with laptops and ipads and are those who will love the convenience of WI-FI and staying connected onboard.

Yes bring on wi-fi internet onboard.

As much as i hate to admit, I prefer to be onboard sending and responding to emails rather than be offline and wait until I land and try to find the nearest wi-fi hotspot or rush to the lounge or hotel. Which is why I welcome Emirates' announcement of internet access on those long 14-16 hour flights.

 

[codash1099]

Seems to me that Virgin either:

a) forgot about IFE when ordering their new aircraft or

b) remembered it but weren't in a position to put up the $ to have it included or

c) didn't think it was important.

Whatever, they are now faced with coming up with a solution.

Personally, I prefer seat back since, given the oversized gut I carry around, having a tray table down during a flight is damned uncomfortable, and having an iPad on it during meals is damned impossible.

It seems that Virgin have felt the need to make some sort of announcement to counter the rumbles of dissatisfaction. Regrettably, they seem to have gone off a little half coughed and/or are reverting to their usual "let's drip feed some information to the masses" approach.

 

[markis10]

Seems to me that Virgin either:

a) forgot about IFE when ordering their new aircraft or

b) remembered it but weren't in a position to put up the $ to have it included or

c) didn't think it was important.

Whatever, they are now faced with coming up with a solution..

The new aircraft were ordered with IFE gear so its neither of the three options, in fact the delay has probably been due to the seat issues of past (different seat suppliers on the one aircraft) and the need to get it right!

 

[greenfish]

I'm completely confused now. Sat in Row 3 of a refitted aircraft yesterday, BNE->SYD, I was offered headphones - then a digiplayer (saver fare).

The plane, which definitely had the refurbished seats throughout (I went for a walk to check it out), had live2air from row 5, - rows 3 and 4 were offered digiplayers.

I thought the refitted planes lost live2air completely?

Dazed and confused...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Dazed and confused...

You're right to be dazed and confused. I commented on that as well. I believe row 5 back are the old blue seats, but re-upholstered whereas 3 and 4 are new seats. I've asked that very question.....why leave in the L2A if it's being pulled and spend all that money on upholstery. So it seems DJ will have an absolute mad dogs breakfast as IFE. So far I can count 3 or 4 different IFE layouts. Whatever stage 2 holds for us, it doesn't make for a very professional approach to dealing with it. You're dazed and confused.....I'm amazed, bewildered, bemused, amused and somewhat deflated....all at once. Whoever said the line "Is it the end of the world..well no", I agree with totally. I personally can live without IFE, but the shambles in trying to sell it (we're still not sure what it is they're trying to sell us) is an absolute comedy. Alan Joyce handed DJ a huge edge and they seem determined to give it back! How polite. How dumb!

the delay has probably been due to the seat issues of past and the need to get it right!

.....so they delayed it and still failed to get it right but released it anyway. I'm starting to get some kind of sick enjoyment from this comedy fest

 

[markis10]

.....so they delayed it and still failed to get it right but released it anyway. I'm starting to get some kind of sick enjoyment from this comedy fest

I would be waiting until I see Phase 2 etc before casting judgement. The announced Phase 1 will at least give as many aircraft as possible some coverage, refitting seat backs with IFE etc would take a lot longer and need to be scheduled with major service, just look at how long the QF reconfigs take!

 

[MarkD]

They would have offered a digiplayer because everyone else on the aircraft further back had free live to air. I have been on these types of aircraft several times, and have been offered one each time

 

[greenfish]

They would have offered a digiplayer because everyone else on the aircraft further back had free live to air. I have been on these types of aircraft several times, and have been offered one each time

When I saw the live2air TVs I worked out why I was offered a digiplayer. I was just really surprised as my understanding of the IFE offering was the live2air was being removed. I've had old fit-out, BSI, new fitout old seats - just not new fitout refurb seats.

Hence my confusion.

Am sitting in the Koru lounge having experienced even more confusion checking in for a DJ codeshare on NZ metal. Never a dull moment!

 

[jakeseven7]

They would have offered a digiplayer because everyone else on the aircraft further back had free live to air. I have been on these types of aircraft several times, and have been offered one each time

Bummer - I haven't. Virgin are pretty damn inconsistent at the moment. I guess it must be hard for the trolley dolleys to keep up with the new regime!

I would be waiting until I see Phase 2 etc before casting judgement. The announced Phase 1 will at least give as many aircraft as possible some coverage, refitting seat backs with IFE etc would take a lot longer and need to be scheduled with major service, just look at how long the QF reconfigs take!

Don't feel you have to defend every single post about DJ markis10, you are starting to sound suspiciously like a DJ rep again!

 

[Noob]

Don't feel you have to defend every single post about DJ markis10, you are starting to sound suspiciously like a DJ rep again!

Markis10 is just repeating the facts that are available to everyone if they read the Media Release...