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Virgin Australia has formally launched the rollout of wireless streaming of entertainment content to passengers’ portable devices as its inflight entertainment system for domestic and short-haul international flights.
The airline began trialling the technology in August 2012 and has already fitted 37 aircraft with the system. It expects rollout across its 737-800 and E190 fleets to be complete by the end of this year.
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The wireless system allows movies, TV shows and music to be streamed to passengers’ own wifi-enabled devices such as iPads, iPhones, Android smart phones and tablets and Windows laptops. To access the system passengers need to download a free app or have Microsoft’s Silverlight downloaded on their laptop.
“We know that in-flight entertainment is a key driver in customer satisfaction. Our research shows that around 90 per cent of our customers travel with at least one smartphone, laptop or tablet,” said Virgin Australia chief customer officer Mark Hassell.
“We were instantly drawn to this technology because it represents a quantum change in the way entertainment is experienced in the sky. Our customers are the first in the region to be able to stream content to their very own personal device and the feedback we are receiving is fantastic.”
Ray Mason
says:I travelled recently on a Virgin flight fitted with this technology. It didn’t work and as they say, in-flight entertainment is a key driver in customer satisfaction.
Shane A
says:I trust that viewing of such content will only be allowed via headphones or earpieces. The last thing we all need in this last worldly refuge from electronic bombardment is sound blaring from speakers. That is what we commuters now have to put up with on public transport now.
Ron.Edards
says:Bad news. I will put Virgin travel down in preference now. I get fed up of these nurds and their blasted screen flashing and disturbing everyone. Please Virgin introduce friendly zone in the prime seating positions. Business and ‘Cattle class’.
Jim
says:Flew in Virgin last month and the aircraft was fitted with this. Worked perfectly
Mike
says:Worked first time on my Samsung tablet – excellent service, especially as its free….
ken
says:Well…I won’t have any entertainment on flights, as I don’t have any of the devices mentioned.
Are there really only 10% of us who still need Virgin to provide entertainment????
Dee
says:What this new system brings in comparison to the normal seat back product, is less weight, which equates to less fuel burn, more under floor cargo capacity, or slightly longer sectors, at much reduced cost; things all Airlines chase in their quest for profit.
Grant McHerron
says:Got to use this on biz class in August. The tablets are fantastic but the supplied headphones were complete shite! Really would have ruined the experience if we hadn’t brought our own.
Also used it on my phone and it worked fine. Got to run the inflight map which isn’t as good as some IFE units but better than nothing 🙂
Didn’t get around to trying Silverlight on my laptop.
Only problem is no power in Economy seats so be sure to charge up if you’re in the back.