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The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 14:24
by Fuzzy14
Interesting article in the Telegraph that some of American Airlines new (domestic) fleet will not be fitted with IFE, instead it will be Bring Your Own Device and access the AA film catalogue onboard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/ ... nt-screen/

Thinking back to the Virgin 747 refit around 2011, that equipment is already starting to show it's age and will serve until 2020 when replaced by the A350-10. You wouldn't keep a computer, or iPad, or phone for 9 years. IFE is pretty expensive and is out of date far too soon. I think AA are really onto something here.

Bring your own device
Charging facilities at every seat
Free onboard access to film catalogue
Reasonable internet access charge
A limited supply of iPads to hand out to those without

I'd be happy with that.

Also note if you're flying Thomas Cook from Manchester this summer, their brand new Air Tanker hasn't (yet) been fitted out with seat back screens.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 15:26
by gumshoe
Yes I agree that is the way forward.

10 years ago individual seat back IFE was a novelty. But now, with the vast majority of people possessing laptops, tablets and/or smartphones, it is fast becoming redundant.

Technology moves so fast IFE is pretty much obsolete before it's even installed and will never be able to match the latest personal devices. So yes, once every aircraft has decent wifi installed, dump IFE and load a few tablets for the few who don't have their own device.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 15:46
by mitchja
DL and Virgin Trains already have a similar system.

With DL you just stream from a web browser once connected to the on-board Wi-Fi and with Virgin Trains/VTEC you just download an app before you travel and then just connect to the WiFi to view the content.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 18:17
by pjh
mitchja wrote:DL and Virgin Trains already have a similar system.

With DL you just stream from a web browser once connected to the on-board Wi-Fi and with Virgin Trains/VTEC you just download an app before you travel and then just connect to the WiFi to view the content.


The Virgin Trains one is pretty good. Virgin Australia have something similar.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 21:15
by Eggtastico
No doubt this will bring huge compatibility problems or some people wont know how to setup DLNA on their device
No doubt they can charge to rent a device.
I think US domestic flight is a massive difference to long haul though.
You dont get IFE on European flights - which is probably more inline with US Domestic flights.

I personally have a 17" HP Slate tablet. Pre-load it with some films, TV & Games & away I go.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 27 Jan 2017, 21:49
by honey lamb
Lan Chile had something like that in Economy on their 789 from Easter Island

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 16:31
by SNOMO
so tough luck on those of us who do not travel with any of the aforementioned devices then or families with one device and several children .......

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 17:08
by gumshoe
No, as the OP suggested the airline would load a (limited) number of tablets for those who don't have their own.

But I would suggest that in 2017, they are very much in the minority.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 17:15
by dickydotcom
I have never managed to watch a film on board.
I have tried a few times but generally lose interest and switch to the map.
I will miss the map if that goes.

Dick D

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 17:27
by gumshoe
No reason why the map couldn't be streamed on your own device along with TV & films.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 18:43
by TimCrawley
I can well imagine the sound & viewing quality on even a cheap £49 tablet can be far better than even the latest IFE and, of course, tablet / netbook / phone technologies seem to take steps forward multiple times a year .... but must admit I've always felt more comfortable watching IFE on long-haul even when in UC and I've had a whopping 17" screen laptop with DVDs in my hand luggage.

If relaxing with a book on board I do wonder though if, firstly, we'll be into the annoying background noise from passengers' own ill-fitting earbuds / headphones (or folks now thinking the phone/tablet/netbook speakers are more comfortable listening for themselves) and if, secondly, folks on long haul will get tired of holding their phone/tablet/netbook so will have on their lap and no longer recline their seats as much (a plus point)?

Certainly the airlines will need to address the power point availability in many of their Economy cabins if/when they remove IFE (long overdue, IMHO, some airlines still offer no seat power in economy even on long haul)?

I'm now fitting my noise cancelling headphones in case forum members start screaming at me for my total ignorance of the technology :-)

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 28 Jan 2017, 19:11
by pjh
Eggtastico wrote:No doubt this will bring huge compatibility problems or some people wont know how to setup DLNA on their device


Not sure that DLNA is relevant for app based device. Download the app (before you travel), connect to wifi, load the app and away you go. Worked fine on Virgin Australia a few years ago and on Virgin Trains a few weeks ago.

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 29 Jan 2017, 08:34
by Eggtastico
pjh wrote:
Eggtastico wrote:No doubt this will bring huge compatibility problems or some people wont know how to setup DLNA on their device


Not sure that DLNA is relevant for app based device. Download the app (before you travel), connect to wifi, load the app and away you go. Worked fine on Virgin Australia a few years ago and on Virgin Trains a few weeks ago.


but you would be reliant on PAX downloading the app. No doubt there will be someone with their own device & not done that. Personally, I just load up with my tablet with whatever I want to watch

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 29 Jan 2017, 10:42
by hiljil
Please would someone explain for me :blush: . Doesn't downloading films eat up the GB so on a 16GB phone I won't necessarily have enough space if I already have lots of apps & photos ?! Can it really be considered better to have to hand hold a phone with small screen for a few hours rather than sitting back enjoying the film on a much bigger screen and being able to watch whilst eating ?

Please, what am I missing ? :-O

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 29 Jan 2017, 11:09
by dickydotcom
I think (but stand to be corrected) you down load the app which doesn't take masses of space.
Then stream the film as you watch it so the film itself is not actually on your tablet/phone.

Dick D

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 29 Jan 2017, 11:11
by hiljil
Oh, thank you. That makes sense. :-D

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 29 Jan 2017, 11:21
by David
Got to agree with hiljil on this one.

Understand what Dick D is saying re the streaming, but the whole tablet / phone doesn't excite me.

Tried it on Delta flights and the streaming is Ok but you have the whole holding thing / jamming it somewhere where it wont fall, connecting to the power and getting the lead tangled etc (or finding the power lead is in your suitcase) then trying eat / drink at the same time

-meh !

David

Re: The end of IFE on planes?

PostPosted: 01 Feb 2017, 10:15
by Richie
Virgin Atlantic already offer 3 channels of live TV on the 787 streamed to your own device for free.