Virgin Australia Unveils First Phase Of Inflight Entertainment Plans

[markis10]

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

If I was defending every post then my post count would be around 2000 a month at least, I am just correcting perceptions that are not based on fact, and if I was a virgin rep I would not be a mod and not be a QF elite member for the past 14 years! I just like competition and freedom of choice, oh, and an airline that listens

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I just like an airline that listens

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/in-flight-entertainment-poll-33316.html

Their "listening ears" mustn't have been active at the time....................................

I would be waiting until I see Phase 2 etc before casting judgement.

But how can they listen, if we don't speak until after they make their decisions?

Please don't misconstrue my feelings about DJ. I still have no doubt they are the airline of choice for moi and I do greatly respect their initiatives during the course of this year......well done DJ........but on the IFE front, it is an absolute schmozzle. Pity they have ended a sterling year on such a low note. From my peasant viewpoint, it does not bode well for their ability to weigh their lofty goals against the reality of delivery. The inflight service is still showing some cracks and the IFE justs compounds that.

My opinion is worthless, I understand that, but if DJ were to ask, I'd advise getting on with Stage 2 ASAP as Stage 1 is nothing short of embarrassing.

 

[Bugalugz]

What a real disappointment. Virgin had a real opportunity to beat Qantas at the on board entertainment game but have instead come out with this complete balls up. Sure Qantas is also trialing this but only for the 767 fleet and they intend on installing brackets so it's at least eye level and have the one standard product and as we know a bracket is only going to be good for the one product anyway as they are all different. Was really hoping for good things from Virgin, they have done so well and starting to become a full service carrier when they come out with this cough that puts them back to being a LCC.

Was really hoping to get eye level screens. Atleast then you can watch what you want to watch gate to gate, during meals and it's not such an inconvenience when someone gets out to go to the lav. Realistically they say use laptops but once someone reclines their seat trying to use a 'normal' size laptop becomes almost impossible anyway.

Personally why would I (maybe pay to) stream content when I would have already put my own content on?? Surely people who have iPads and tablets etc will all have their own entertainment on them. Virgin can't seriously expect everyone to have their own device to play the entertainment, and of course if people do want to hire the things there would never be enough or too much of a pain to use them.

Ergonomics, those Digeplayers are bloody terrible for it looking down for up to 4hrs, gives you a sore neck.

Very disappointed and if I had the choice between a QF 738 with the AVOD system or a Virgin 738 with the byo entertainment, would take Qantas hands down, especially on trans cons.

I seriously hope Virgin Australia considers the feedback in this forum and provides us some feedback through their rep. The system Virgin America is coming out with is good, byo or use the screens, it keeps everyone happy. Look forward to Virgins response to this afterthought of an entertainment system.

To those who need the internet, I love it but surely people can go without it for a few bloody hrs!! Tried it on Delta in the states and was a bit of a novelty but we should be able to live without it for a couple of hrs!

 

[maninblack]

Easily fixed at trick dickies and elsewhere for $4.95:

View attachment 5028

This concept is an even better and easier fix to the problem. QF are using it now and so are many many other airlines :!:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02042/Qantas-Internation_2042705b.jpg

 

[scibo10]

My feelings are very similar to a majority of members on this thread.

The BYO wi-fi option is a terrible idea and it is becoming a real game changer for me, but not in the direction Virgin had intended. Having flown BNE to PER and on new BSI and spending 4 hours looking down at my iphone which had video content on it, I remember thinking how sore my neck was by the end of it. I also took out my laptop for an hour or so, and boy was it difficult trying to juggle that along with empty wrappers and food containers when trying to get out of your seat to go to the bathroom.

Pilotdude09 makes a great point regarding using laptops and having the person in the seat in front fully recline. Good luck watching anything then.

I can't see why they can't still use this new Lufthansa system and also install seat back screens, so guests can download contact onto their seat back screens rather than their devices. That is, the VX solution. Am I missing something here?

If QF were not actively installing a seat back AVOD system, I would think VA could get away with this, but not when they are, as the physical comfort of the flight will be so severely compromised by this 'solution'. Polite and friendly crew can only make you feel so good when you literally have a pain in the neck!

Disappointment sums it up for me too, as VA were beginning to look the part. My lasting feeling I have now is more Virgin Blue and less Virgin Australia. I hope I'm wrong and that Phase 2 will include seat backs ala VX style. Fingers crossed.

 

[cavemanzk]

How does this go with meeting the product of there code-share partners?

 

[Justchecking]

To those who need the internet, I love it but surely people can go without it for a few bloody hrs!! Tried it on Delta in the states and was a bit of a novelty but we should be able to live without it for a couple of hrs!

Well, you cant go without a seatback TV for a few hours. Pot calling the kettle black?

I havent seen this much vitriol since the using the J class loo thread. I had no idea that choice of airline boiled down to whats on telly.....but there you go. Virgin could have saved themselves a packet on aircraft refits, lounges and miles of purple tape if only they'd been aware that a free TV was what really mattered.

I rather suspect the million bucks per aircraft to fit TV screens had a lot to do with the decision. Would you all really be happier to be told you'll have AVOD.....in 2016, when they get around to fitting all the aircraft out? I'm reserving judgement until 2 things happen.

1. We actually see the system rolled out and therefore know what it is exactly.
2. Experienced it for myself.
2. I

 

[markis10]

Pilotdude09 makes a great point regarding using laptops and having the person in the seat in front fully recline. Good luck watching anything then.

I can't see why they can't still use this new Lufthansa system and also install seat back screens, so guests can download contact onto their seat back screens rather than their devices. That is, the VX solution. Am I missing something here?

I am sure DJ are looking at seat back screens, but as previously stated this takes time and costs money, lets hope its in a later phase, in the meantime we are getting something quickly by comparison that does offer more than we are getting now. As for using laptops when the passenger in front is fully reclined, its possible depending on your choice of hardware, its been a consideration of mine for 5 years now which is why I have a 12" screen and at least 10 hours battery life as a minimum laptop requirement.

LTA was nice while it worked, however on most of my flights it was unreliable when the aircraft was in departure and approach modes, and obviously has a large fuel burden to pay as far as ongoing costs are concerned.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I am sure DJ are looking at seat back screens,

It seems to me that is what most are complaining about, so wouldn't it make sense for DJ to simply say Stage 2 in 2014 (or whenever) will be the full blown system including your choice of using your own device or the 10" letterbox, seatback mounted touch screens for in-flight shopping (inc. F&B), entertainment and internet surfing.

How easy is that and we'd all be happy little vegemites again!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

One other point and then I'll shut up.

Every flight right now, usually sees a few people tapping on a laptop. The vast majority of the pax don't. This includes the days when you had to pay for L2A. I'd assume a fair chunk of people own at least 1 laptop, tablet or notebook in their family but have chosen not to be burdened with the blasted thing whilst during their flight. So why does anyone think having to lug a laptop (or similar) on board is now suddenly appealing to the vast majority of pax?? Never has been previously, even though they could have and had their own entertainment via that.

 

[markis10]

One other point and then I'll shut up.

Every flight right now, usually sees a few people tapping on a laptop. The vast majority of the pax don't. This includes the days when you had to pay for L2A. I'd assume a fair chunk of people own at least 1 laptop, tablet or notebook in their family but have chosen not to be burdened with the blasted thing whilst during their flight. So why does anyone think having to lug a laptop (or similar) on board is now suddenly appealing to the vast majority of pax?? Never has been previously, even though they could have and had their own entertainment via that.

I am seeing more tablets than laptops these days, laptops tend to be the domain of those wishing to work whilst flying which in my case is when I decide to clean up the email inbox!

 

[Noob]

when I decide to clean up the email inbox!

(off topic) oh gosh don't remind me! :shock:

 

[MarkD]

The Ipad fitted nicely on the tray table with a Pie and Ginger beer last night. . . . . Was in the J seats though, so tray was heaps wider, plus, you have the extra little slide out tray for the drink...
I think in Y seats its going to be a pain in the cough.
So whats to stop a wireless display being installed to all seats, surely a tablet PC that was setup to a default config. There surely is the option to have a quick intall / quick rerplacement if something gets busted, and the only real wire install would be power, which would be able to charge customers own devices as well. I have no idea really on bandwidth etc so maybe it wouldn't work with 180 people all streaming movies simultaneously.

 

[Noob]

So whats to stop a wireless display being installed to all seats, surely a tablet PC that was setup to a default config. There surely is the option to have a quick intall / quick rerplacement if something gets busted, and the only real wire install would be power, which would be able to charge customers own devices as well. I have no idea really on bandwidth etc so maybe it wouldn't work with 180 people all streaming movies simultaneously.

That's what Virgin America are doing as part of their new BoardConnect system.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Here's a possible answer to the lack of seat-back screens, juggling tablets/PCs, loss of the limited personal space etc, etc that the DJ IFE mess has raised.

Certainly not cheap and they say it's wireless, so I'm not even sure that they'd be permitted but has anyone tried these things out? Any comments?

 

[serfty]

FWIW, aside from take-off/landing, QF now permit the use of wifi and bluetooth devices. (Flying with Qantas | Inflight Communication | Wifi | Mobile | Power Outlets)

So I don't see DJ would have any issue.

 

[markis10]

For those that were wondering how it might work, here is one AP snapshot at the recent Sundance Film Festival that had 72 devices attached and being streamed different content:

 

[MarkD]

Wow that's impressive. Can I have a beer with that

I have absolutely no idea what all that means, sorry

 

[lovestotravel]

Basically saying that WiFi can be used for streaming......

Still doesn't fix the ongoing criticism of no fixed IFE on the 737's

 

[markis10]

Wow that's impressive. Can I have a beer with that

I have absolutely no idea what all that means, sorry

There was discussion about the ability of wireless to handle 150 pax, the example I have posted shows how well one Access Point handled 72 devices with heavy media, so a plane with three is very much doable. Brisbane trains use two per carriage at present as a comparison. They don't have seat back entertainment either LOL.