In-flight Entertainment

[Galaxy]

Hi All, I thought I would start this thread, as this is a topic that is close to my own research interests, and having just watched this video on BBC Fast Track: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/f ... 604474.stm

We are certainly going to see a good amount of change and innovation in new-build aircraft, particularly if less reliance on physical internal entertainment infrastructure will result in lighter aircraft and better fuel efficiency.

 

[Aviador]

Nice idea for a thread.

In flight entertainment seems to be becoming something of a privilege these days as many airlines are withdrawing in flight entertainment in an attempt to cut costs. I hear Thomas Cook is the latest airline to pull the plug on the service even for their long haul operations. (not confirmed) It's looking like it could be reserved for full service airlines if the low cost and charter firms continue to remove them to cut costs.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yes, it is a good thread. Perhaps I could broaden it slightly.

I can remember the 1980s when Britannia Airways (our usual charter airline then) had no inflight entertainment other than passengers bringing their own book or looking out of the window (this is still my favourite form of inflight entertainment which is why I like a window seat).

At some point in the 80s the airline began to install monitors showing current height and speed over ground which later morphed into live route maps.

The next innovation was a series of monitors slung from the ceiling showing all those old tv sitcoms and other tv shows I had made great efforts to avoid when at home - you will understand I'm not a telly person.

After that changes on aircraft became rapid with seatback screens, audio/vision on demand, games and all the things that we've become used to.

Last year I flew with Emirates and though I'm not a great user of inflight entertainment I have to admit that their ICE system certainly lives up to its billing as one of the best, if not the best, around.

Film, music and games fans have a great time with all this.

I did manage to find a couple of old black and white films (out of many many hundreds of films available within the system) that I enjoyed but I'm not a fan of modern films either - you will realise by now that I'm a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to such things.That's why I like easyJet that has always turned its face against any form of inflight entertainment.

The one feature I do love is the provision of onboard cameras. Emirates aircraft are equipped with forward facing cameras (the pilots' view) and downward facing cameras giving an excellent view of the ground - especially useful after take-off or before landing. They can be accessed at will by each passenger.

Who knows what passengers will consider normal and expect in ten or twenty years - that is with airlines that are prepared to spend money on the latest trend in inflight entertainment.

 

[tleeds]

Thanks for that interesting reply LocalYokel.

You may be interested to know that Jet2.com last summer started offering an In-Flight Entertainment service.

Jet2 started offering on it's 3hr30minute+ flights, so; Canaries, Turkey, Greece, New York, Israel and formally Egypt, portable screens that are a nifty peice of kit. It's almost like an iPad but smaller in size and you can hire these from the airline at a cost of, I think so don't quote me on this, £14.99 per sector, per person. You are only allowed a maximum of 3 per party I think as well so they must sell out fast if they restrict people from actually purchasing them.

I only ever fly with my family so shorter-haul routes such as; Malaga, Palma etc, so have never actually seen these in action.
The only aircraft in the Jet2 fleet that has Televisions hanging from the roof is G-LSAJ but these are never used.

Here's a link to their website showing you about their In-Flight Entertainment:
http://www.jet2.com/entertainment.aspx

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Thanks for the link, tom.

The cost is shown as from £7.50 'each way'.

I took note of the word 'from'.

 

[tleeds]

Yep, I'm sure a lot of people on the Jet2.com website have thought 'oo yeah' and then when it comes to booking it will come to a lot more that £7.50 each way!

Today's airlines....

 

[ryan]

Similar to Jet2, easyJet is also going to start offering IFE in the form of Dell Android tablets, also priced at £7.50 per flight. Though I do think the future is inflight wi-fi.