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Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
05 Apr 2013, 23:10
by vsa380
Hi All,
Just thought you'd like to know from 8th April (Monday) Virgin Atlantic will be introducing Gate to Gate use of the IFE systems. This will be available on all aircraft except those with Vera Reel (G-VFAR, G-VAIR and G-VELD).
Cheers,
Dan
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 01:21
by Tinuks
Hi and thanks for the info, but would that be with or without the use of headphones? Also, is it just going to be that once the proper entertainment is turned off, we end up watching the destination guide?
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 08:33
by virginboy747
You have to use the headphones provided that will be on your seat when you board (for take off and landing) and the full entertainment will be available straight after the safety video and until passengers have disembarked at the other end.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 08:58
by not_ordinary_more_weird
Great news! Got a trip next week, and hoping to finish the hobbit...is 12hrs enough?

I generally try to get the bulkheads in PE, do the screens still have to be stowed before takeoff and landing?
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 09:12
by bethanicus
Excellent news, I'd like to think I'll make the most of it, but I'll probably spend most of it looking out the window!
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 09:29
by Hamster
Will the IFE be available before the safety demo like on BA?
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 10:10
by Darren Wheeler
not_ordinary_more_weird wrote:I generally try to get the bulkheads in PE, do the screens still have to be stowed before takeoff and landing?
Yes, as nothing on that front will change. Seats still have to be uprights (except Upper), tray tables stowed etc. etc.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 12:03
by benchsmith
wow just in time for my trip will feedback and let you all know, flying on 18th from LGW to MCO

Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 14:55
by SNOMO
Thats good news, it was such a boon on our BA flight to Montreal last month when we were stuck on the plane waiting to take off. I was able to watch all of Argo and husband was able to watch 2/3rd of Lincoln before we were disembarked and put on a standby plane.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 18:45
by virginboy747
It won't be available before the safety video but immediately after and yes monitors in upper and at bulkheads and exit rows will need to be stowed for take off and landing but in those seats you will still be able to listen to audio at these times.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
06 Apr 2013, 18:55
by mswadley
Awesome news. Spent four hours on the tarmac at JFK 3 years ago in a thundestorm - pretty tedious.
Will mean that tricky 'what film' decision with 2 hours til arrival may be a thing of the past

Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 13:03
by AmexVflyer
This is great news, nice to see that VS weren't far behind BA in adopting gate to gate 8D
If it means I can squeeze in another movie then brilliant y)
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 13:20
by Treelo
virginboy747 wrote:You have to use the headphones provided that will be on your seat when you board (for take off and landing)
So can someone explain the difference between the headphones provided and those I have in my carry on?
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 13:24
by LovingGold
So can someone explain the difference between the headphones provided and those I have in my carry on?
I'm thinking and may well be off base here, that the headsets provided in all classes have the volume predefined at a max / mid level that have passed some FAA / CAA safety check. Whereas your own headsets may fall outside of that test range so when the safety crew announcements come over you will 100% be able to hear them ?| ?|
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 14:31
by voyagerweb
'm thinking and may well be off base here, that the headsets provided in all classes have the volume predefined at a max / mid level that have passed some FAA / CAA safety check. Whereas your own headsets may fall outside of that test range so when the safety crew announcements come over you will 100% be able to hear them
I thought that too but also then though that maybe it falls to the airline to then ensure they are working as well.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 15:17
by virginboy747
The headsets provided by VS have been tested in several mock evacuations and proven to break when passengers evacuate thereby not impeding their escape. Other headphones have not been tested there's too many of them! Therefore just for the take-off and landing stages the VS headphones are certified for use. During the flight you can use whichever headphones you like.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 16:09
by Tinuks
So has anyone experienced the gate to gate IFE yet?
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 17:50
by virginboy747
It starts today

Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
08 Apr 2013, 18:05
by Treelo
virginboy747 wrote:The headsets provided by VS have been tested in several mock evacuations and proven to break when passengers evacuate thereby not impeding their escape. Other headphones have not been tested there's too many of them! Therefore just for the take-off and landing stages the VS headphones are certified for use. During the flight you can use whichever headphones you like.
That makes total sense, thanks vb747

Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
09 Apr 2013, 03:25
by Virginlondon
Yes I used it today on VS1 - enjoyed having the map on the whole time. Felt a bit weird landing and still watching the TV
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
09 Apr 2013, 08:02
by oldboy
Excellent news, I have always enjoyed the benefit of gate to gate IFE on Air New Zealand flights.
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
09 Apr 2013, 08:38
by lobbers
Yes, I experienced it last night on VS12. A very pleasant surprise and IFE was turned on straight after the safety video. I was still listening and watching the end of Big Bang Theory whilst waiting in the aisle to deplane. The charity video interrupted the program, but it went straight back to where it left off afterwards.
Big thumbs up. y)
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
11 Apr 2013, 20:16
by at240
We had it today on the VS24 and I think it is a significant improvement at the end of the flight. I am particularly pleased that it seems to have replaced the music and video played on landing -- the last thing you want after a 10 hour red eye!
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
11 Apr 2013, 21:35
by pjh
It's funny, I switched mine off when into the descent. Seemed the right thing to do..

. Good to have it available though...
Re: Gate to Gate IFE

Posted:
11 Apr 2013, 21:51
by LovingGold
I can't wait to have the Skymap on until landing.
Normally I have a little game of "Guess the height" as we landing.
Now I will know how far out I was
