Qantas customers first in the world to experience new inflight entertainment system

[flying.monkeyz]

15-Sep-2011 In a world first, Qantas will next month trial the very latest technology in in-flight entertainment (IFE) on board a domestic aircraft.Q Streaming will allow all customers travelling on a dedicated aircraft during the trial the ability to stream inflight entertainment content to individual tablets supplied by Qantas whilst inflight.

Customers travelling on the aircraft will also be able to watch Qantas's in-flight entertainment on their laptop computer, smartphone, tablet or other WIFI enabled device later on in the trial.

"We are very pleased to be the first airline in the world to trial this wireless streaming product." said Executive Manager Customer Experience Alison Webster.

The initial six week trial of the IFE product will be on board a B767-300 and will run from the end of October through to early December this year.

Following the trial, Qantas will assess opportunities for the application of Q Streaming across both the domestic and international fleet.

Q Streaming utilises cutting edge wireless technology that enables customers to connect to the Qantas on demand IFE system, with their WIFI devices, providing Qantas customers with a greater variety of choice from a wide range of content.

http://www.centreforaviation.com/mem...t-system-58814

[scooby5]

The TV news mentioned BA doing similar tests back in June and other airlines considering the same approach whereby passengers then pay for WiFi access in the same way we often have to do now at hotels.

[CarbonMan]

Another wonderful opportunity to save costs and earn extra revenue!

[sqdazz]

Another wonderful opportunity to save costs and earn extra revenue!

Qantas don't charge for IFE at the moment so I would assume they wouldnt charge for the new system, except for internet access.

I think it is a great way to get a bit of extra life out of the somewhat tired B767-300 fleet with Qantas without having to do an expensive refurb when some aircraft are due for retirement in the next few years.

[CarbonMan]

Qantas don't charge for IFE at the moment so I would assume they wouldnt charge for the new system, except for internet access.

I think it is a great way to get a bit of extra life out of the somewhat tired B767-300 fleet with Qantas without having to do an expensive refurb when some aircraft are due for retirement in the next few years.

It may be a tad extreme view now, but it won't be long before everyone will carry their personal iPad or some tablet, then airlines will no longer need to install screens. Save quite a bit on hardware, power and wiring (reduced weight). Pax will be able download an app to download movies, music and magazines. The technoplegic ones can rent one onboard! Yes, sell wifi access and mobile phone access as well. I can imagine the finance depts at airlines drooling over this technology now.

[MAN Flyer]

It may be a tad extreme view now, but it won't be long before everyone will carry their personal iPad or some tablet, then airlines will no longer need to install screens.

I think the idea that everyone will one day carry and iPad or tablet on an aircraft is a bit of a myth to be honest. I don't doubt that the number percentage will increase, but it won't get anywhere near everyone travelling. Not everyone who travels is travelling on business and even of those that do not all can be bothered carrying yet another device when trying to travel as light as possible.

[boing]

It may be a tad extreme view now, but it won't be long before everyone will carry their personal iPad or some tablet, then airlines will no longer need to install screens. Save quite a bit on hardware, power and wiring (reduced weight). Pax will be able download an app to download movies, music and magazines. The technoplegic ones can rent one onboard! Yes, sell wifi access and mobile phone access as well. I can imagine the finance depts at airlines drooling over this technology now.

I think the chances of that happening are slim as there's a real danger that someone can infiltrate the IFE system and create nuisance if allowed to use their own personal device to access it.

[sqdazz]

I think the chances of that happening are slim as there's a real danger that someone can infiltrate the IFE system and create nuisance if allowed to use their own personal device to access it.

I believe that is the purpose of this system though, using personal devices....

[CarbonMan]

I think the idea that everyone will one day carry and iPad or tablet on an aircraft is a bit of a myth to be honest. I don't doubt that the number percentage will increase, but it won't get anywhere near everyone travelling. Not everyone who travels is travelling on business and even of those that do not all can be bothered carrying yet another device when trying to travel as light as possible.

Agree with that assessment in the near future. But that was what we said about mobile phones. Yes I love to travel light too but I still carry my own earphones and eye blinds (as they are preferable to the ones they give out, and they are quite portable). My prognosis is that tablets will get even more portable within the next 2-3 years with better resolution than the nice screens we get even on biz class (am surprised that SQ doesn't even have touchscreen tech yet!). Anyways that's just my humble prediction/desire (perhaps I read too much tech mags).

On a side note, while flying back from NY yesterday, my IFE died on me 3 times and had to re-boot itself. During the reset, one can see that the system it is based on is relatively old tech. Yes, some say old tech is simpler and therefore more maintainable and reliable (if the comment includes me) but truly tech has moved a few generations since what the current IFE is based on.

[boing]

I believe that is the purpose of this system though, using personal devices....

My bad. Missed out on the " eventually streamed to personal devices" part.

But I still stand by what I said earlier. A potential security threat exists with passengers allowed to access the IFE systems with their personal devices. And although it won't be a threat to the safety of the aircraft if breached, it could be financially draining if done. Just my 2 cents.

[lingua101]

I think the idea that everyone will one day carry and iPad or tablet on an aircraft is a bit of a myth to be honest. I don't doubt that the number percentage will increase, but it won't get anywhere near everyone travelling. Not everyone who travels is travelling on business and even of those that do not all can be bothered carrying yet another device when trying to travel as light as possible.

Well then those who does not have table can rent it from the airlines