What would you like to see on the new IFE System?

[cityloop]

Don't know if it's been mentioned before but I'd like to see a food and beverage ordering systems where I can select and pay for the items I want with my credit card through the IFE system. Then a flight attendant brings the items to me. No more leaning over other passengers and shouting what I want to someone pushing a food trolley around.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Don't know if it's been mentioned before but I'd like to see a food and beverage ordering systems where I can select and pay for the items I want with my credit card through the IFE system. Then a flight attendant brings the items to me. No more leaning over other passengers and shouting what I want to someone pushing a food trolley around.

Which would also answer the problem about FAs not having enough time to serve everyone on a short flight. The most time consuming part is the CC payment bit. If that was done already, the delivery of f&b only to the seats requiring it would streamline the service which will allow DJ to fulfill their committment to provide full service and LCC seats on the same flights.

 

[winglets747]

Which would also answer the problem about FAs not having enough time to serve everyone on a short flight. The most time consuming part is the CC payment bit. If that was done already, the delivery of f&b only to the seats requiring it would streamline the service which will allow DJ to fulfill their committment to provide full service and LCC seats on the same flights.

Then again, providing free snacks and drinks would solve that problem too and the other problem of people thinking Virgin is now full-service but then discover they have to pay for snacks and drinks. Snacks and drinks are peanuts, especially if Virgin continues down the path of serving food that is not overtly perishable like the QF hot meals.

 

[serfty]

Don't know if it's been mentioned before but I'd like to see a food and beverage ordering systems where I can select and pay for the items I want with my credit card through the IFE system. Then a flight attendant brings the items to me. No more leaning over other passengers and shouting what I want to someone pushing a food trolley around.

Air NZ has this - works well ... when it's turned on.

 

[samh004]

Air NZ has this - works well ... when it's turned on.

How are refunds processed, say if everyone on the plane put in their order after take-off, but then before things could be delivered they encountered turbulence and it lasted for the rest of the flight. That sounds like a big refunds headache to me

 

[cityloop]

How are refunds processed, say if everyone on the plane put in their order after take-off, but then before things could be delivered they encountered turbulence and it lasted for the rest of the flight. That sounds like a big refunds headache to me

I'm sure a software program can or has been developed to deal with processing CC payments, ticking off delivered orders and issuing refunds with one click if need be. In theory this could all be run from an iPad. It's not a complex problem.

 

[dk4]

Westjet (in Canada) is going to trial a new (BOB) IFE product (SkyCast Solutions Experience the Difference in IFE) that uses a Samsung screen/Android technology and will clip onto the tray table.

Image at http://blog.apex.aero/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/WestJet-SLIM-portable-small.jpg
Related article http://blog.apex.aero/cabin-interior/canadas-westjet-launch-tray-table-clipon-portable-ife/

So why is this of interest to those awaiting a Virgin Australia decision?

• Westjet previously had 737-800s with (satellite) live TV, and like DJ their new aircraft deliveries are arriving without this facility.

WestJet offers live TV on its fleet of 737 jets, but Greg Latimer, Skycast's chief marketing officer, said the airline has taken its latest 737-800 direct from Boeing without any IFE system and intends to offer the portable tablets.

Seattle startup Skycast books its tablets on first airline customer | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times

• The Westjet Board has connections to Virgin Australia via former CEO Brett Godfrey

• One of the key players at this new company was involved in creating the digEplayer (DJs former/current). Bill Boyer is back with superlight embedded IFE system - Runway Girl

 

[maninblack]

Westjet (in Canada) is going to trial a new (BOB) IFE product (SkyCast Solutions Experience the Difference in IFE) that uses a Samsung screen/Android technology and will clip onto the tray table.

Image at http://blog.apex.aero/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/WestJet-SLIM-portable-small.jpg
Related article http://blog.apex.aero/cabin-interior/canadas-westjet-launch-tray-table-clipon-portable-ife/

So why is this of interest to those awaiting a Virgin Australia decision?

• Westjet previously had 737-800s with (satellite) live TV, and like DJ their new aircraft deliveries are arriving without this facility.

Seattle startup Skycast books its tablets on first airline customer | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times

• The Westjet Board has connections to Virgin Australia via former CEO Brett Godfrey

• One of the key players at this new company was involved in creating the digEplayer (DJs former/current). Bill Boyer is back with superlight embedded IFE system - Runway Girl

Thanks for the info. Looks like a good solution for VA. They certainly need one and soon.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Isn't this thread a blast from the past. There we were, suggesting all the positive things DJ could do with ife. Now it seems we're clutching at anything that even remotely resembles a workable solution. Tablets clipping on to tray tables......what a load of rubbish. They'll be in the way when you want a tray table and what happens when you don't? Also, are these tablets nuclear powered or will DJ use microwaves to recharge them? Oh and gate to gate?????? Will it take 1/2 the flight to issue them and the other 1/2 to collect them again and I am assuming these will be J only, the plebs left to their own (dare I say it) devices!!

Excuse my negativity but the DJ gloss wore through for me about 2 months ago.

 

[AirlineGuy]

The more I think about the proposed WiFi offering, the more I believe that WiFi alone simply wont cut it. If they are dead against individual seat back screens, and are happy to offer an inferior (my opinion) product to the new QF 737 IFE, then I think they should atleast invest in some drop down overhead screens like the older QF 737s have. That way those who don't have access to their own device (mum, dad, 2 kids, elderly, those who just simply don't want the hassle) can enjoy some IFE rather than none at all. And those who are able to and who choose to take advantage of the content offered through WiFi to their own device can do so also. Best of both. Isn't the idea to keep everyone happy?

It's beyond me as to why they removed the audio channels from the 737's that weren't fitted with Live2Air during their refurbs.

There simply has to be some alternative offered in addition to this WiFi solution. Please Virgin!

 

[maninblack]

There we were, suggesting all the positive things DJ could do with ife. Now it seems we're clutching at anything that even remotely resembles a workable solution. Tablets clipping on to tray tables......what a load of rubbish.

Not me, I was suggesting that they screwed up bigtime either here or on a similar thread. You are perfectly right though we are clutching at straws. It would have been so easy to just buy a seatback IFE system like everyone else does!

 

[lovestotravel]

Isn't this thread a blast from the past. There we were, suggesting all the positive things DJ could do with ife. Now it seems we're clutching at anything that even remotely resembles a workable solution. Tablets clipping on to tray tables......what a load of rubbish. They'll be in the way when you want a tray table and what happens when you don't? Also, are these tablets nuclear powered or will DJ use microwaves to recharge them? Oh and gate to gate?????? Will it take 1/2 the flight to issue them and the other 1/2 to collect them again and I am assuming these will be J only, the plebs left to their own (dare I say it) devices!!

Excuse my negativity but the DJ gloss wore through for me about 2 months ago.

Whoops, was meant to ignore your post again.......

Agree 100%

WiFi only is pathetic easy solution and, once again, lacks consistency

A330 - Full IFE, but old
A330 (International) Red IFE
B777 Red IFE
B737's - Some have Live2Air, some don't!

This was announced back in Feb, and for business class it's a joke, you don't have portable IFE in business class!

Oh and April is nearly over and no-one has talked about seeing any of the Samsung Galaxy Tab's around yet, oh and they are now an old model as a new version is due out very soon... Fail Virgin AGAIN.

Virgin Australia To Fly With Samsung Galaxy Tab | Gizmodo Australia

From April, Business Class Guests on board our Boeing 737 and Embraer fleets will experience a new era of inflight entertainment with our offering of Samsung Galaxy tablets loaded with television shows, movies and audio.

Those of us flying cattle class will eventually get the option to view entertainment via Wi-Fi on our own devices, though Virgin has only committed to a “before the end of 2012″ data for that one. Like Qantas, there’s no word yet on making that Wi-Fi useful for Internet access.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

A330 - Full IFE, but old
A330 (International) Red IFE
B777 Red IFE
B737's - Some have Live2Air, some don't!

Don't forget:

Embraer E190 - Nothing
ATR 72 - Nothing
Fokker 100 - ??

I wonder if these (traditionally no ife) aircraft will get the wifi solution as well?

 

[markis10]

Don't forget:

Embraer E190 - Nothing
ATR 72 - Nothing
Fokker 100 - ??

I wonder if these (traditionally no ife) aircraft will get the wifi solution as well?

I doubt it, the are up against QFLink which does not offer it and the manufacturers for this sector generally don't provision IFE systems for this class as far as the propjets goes, E190s are common with seat back units in some airlines.

 

[maninblack]

E190s are common with seat back units in some airlines.

I still just don't get it. Air Canada an airline that struggles financially yet is pretty equivalent to QF or VA in various ways has managed to refurb their entire fleet with new seating, carpet etc including the 763's (except 3 that are headed for retirement) the A320's and the E Jets all with AVOD. Of course there are many financial considerations at play here including long term fleet plans nevertheless the conistency of product from a customer perspective is also important.

 

[dfcatch]

I still just don't get it. Air Canada an airline that struggles financially yet is pretty equivalent to QF or VA in various ways has managed to refurb their entire fleet with new seating, carpet etc including the 763's (except 3 that are headed for retirement) the A320's and the E Jets all with AVOD. Of course there are many financial considerations at play here including long term fleet plans nevertheless the conistency of product from a customer perspective is also important.

My thoughts exactly

 

[777]

I still just don't get it. Air Canada an airline that struggles financially yet is pretty equivalent to QF or VA in various ways has managed to refurb their entire fleet with new seating, carpet etc including the 763's (except 3 that are headed for retirement) the A320's and the E Jets all with AVOD. Of course there are many financial considerations at play here including long term fleet plans nevertheless the conistency of product from a customer perspective is also important.

And they're going broke...

Who would have thought that an airline that overcapitalises on hard product in such a way that it doesn't generate enough revenue to pay for itself would struggle financially?

I agree that Virgin's current IFE mix sucks (see my comments earlier in this thread) however i understand the logic that they won't spend money that doesn't make them money. That's business 101.

 

[markis10]

I still just don't get it. Air Canada an airline that struggles financially yet is pretty equivalent to QF or VA in various ways has managed to refurb their entire fleet with new seating, carpet etc including the 763's (except 3 that are headed for retirement) the A320's and the E Jets all with AVOD. Of course there are many financial considerations at play here including long term fleet plans nevertheless the conistency of product from a customer perspective is also important.

LOL, you have provided a very good example of an airline that clearly has its priorities wrong, I am not sure the staff travelling enjoy the IFE knowing their pension funds continue to erode in equity and one could argue their poor loads don't seem to have been helped by IFE even with the protection they receive from Ottawa.

 

[Justchecking]

I'm reserving judgement until I see this new wifi thing in action. Its very easy to cling to the old (AVOD) because it is known and lets face it no-one really has a clear idea of what this wifi thing will entail so it's equally hard to get behind it. But I am one for change IF the change is an improvement. Tablet pc's as a concept have been around for 10yrs but they've only been usable for 2yrs. If you asked anyone in 2008 whether they'd buy a tablet the answer would have been hell no! The iPad and clones are selling like fresh baked bread now though. It takes the right implementation to make anything worthwhile.

 

[AirlineGuy]

Perhaps if they slipped a device into each seat pocket, so then every single person could take advantage of the WiFi content. Much like they did on the QF 767 trials. It wouldnt feel so much as a user pays/bring your own/LCC product then, and everyone could use it.