IFE on a340-300

From what I remember, the reel stuff made the flight a bit more social, as the films ended and people drifted back to the bar for a bit, and then noticed the films restarted and headed back to them if they felt like another one.

Have to say that out of the 5 trips to NRT in as many years in both seasons (in terms of A/C scheduling I have only ever experienced the 343 on my last flight though.
you are so right. sounds like a plan
my glass was half empty about A343s but now half full.

[honey lamb]

Can I put in my tuppence worth, please?

In the olden days (I never thought I'd ever hear myself saying that :0 - or in this instance, writing it) there was no IFE and I can remember the excitement I felt when I was going to be on a flight where a film was being shown. It was on a BA 747 and the screen was on the bulkhead wall of each cabin and what was being shown was what you got. Of course to be able to see it, you had to be in the middle seats and as I was in a window seat, I saw nothing!

Nowadays we have been spoilt for choice, even with the Reel system. You realise this when you then get on a flight with drop-down monitors showing only the one film, but the reality is, that even with the most sophisticated systems, things can and do wrong. After my foray on the BA 747 all those years ago, I wouldn't dream of heading on a long-haul flight without some back-up, be it a book or magazine, an iPad or laptop loaded up with things I know I would enjoy.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the store that some people set by the IFE and take it as a personal affront when they get a system like Reel or when the IFE fails altogether. They almost expect the plane to turn back so that it can be fixed! ) You just have to read the VS Facebook page to realise that and I'm still shaking my head in bewilderment about the passenger who complained about the IFE failing on a flight to MCO and she had nothing to do for eight hours except read the Retail Therapy magazine! Sheeesh!!

Can I put in my tuppence worth, please?

In the olden days (I never thought I'd ever hear myself saying that :0 - or in this instance, writing it) there was no IFE and I can remember the excitement I felt when I was going to be on a flight where a film was being shown. It was on a BA 747 and the screen was on the bulkhead wall of each cabin and what was being shown was what you got. Of course to be able to see it, you had to be in the middle seats and as I was in a window seat, I saw nothing!

Nowadays we have been spoilt for choice, even with the Reel system. You realise this when you then get on a flight with drop-down monitors showing only the one film, but the reality is, that even with the most sophisticated systems, things can and do wrong. After my foray on the BA 747 all those years ago, I wouldn't dream of heading on a long-haul flight without some back-up, be it a book or magazine, an iPad or laptop loaded up with things I know I would enjoy.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the store that some people set by the IFE and take it as a personal affront when they get a system like Reel or when the IFE fails altogether. They almost expect the plane to turn back so that it can be fixed! ) You just have to read the VS Facebook page to realise that and I'm still shaking my head in bewilderment about the passenger who complained about the IFE failing on a flight to MCO and she had nothing to do for eight hours except read the Retail Therapy magazine! Sheeesh!!

In agree in part. However, the airlines are the ones that marketed the IFE to be a big deal and thus they can expect some flack when it doesn't work or is antiquated. It's part of the flying experience and in some cases a differenciator, so I don't think it's unexpected for people to gripe about it. As you say, the airlines have moved on and will continue to do so I imagine.

Honeylamb - I consider myself told off lol
I do agree with you in the main and feel bit spoilt childlike for my complaints of late regarding REEL.
I seem to just about remember watching drop downs on an EL AL flight back when that journey felt like the longest ever lol
I have decided more like realised I need to make my own IFE playlist on my iPhone to include some comedy and a movie and buy a magazine at LHR.
bring on the A343

Watching movies on a plane with no choice and a single screen is one of the things I like to use to point out to my kids that they don't know how good they've got it (or, more likely, how old I am). I was on a package holiday from Montreal to Acapulco in November 1995 and the movie was "Forget Paris" - twice on the way there, and twice on the way back! I've not been able to watch anything with Billy Crystal in it since.

The plane also made a stop on its way to/from Acapulco, and I'm pretty sure it was in Cancun, though that seems like an odd way of doing things (we actually had to get off the plane and hang around in the terminal).

I sort of see your point but for some of us, IFE is a big deal.

Being able to enjoy the absolute latest movies that I'd otherwise need to see in the cinema - and cannot watch on my iPad - is a big perk of picking a carrier with proper IFE. It is one of the reasons I almost always fly VS - it's an important part of the flying experience for me and on every previous flight VS have really hit the spot.

Whilst its true there are some carriers that still have overhead TV's it's also true that I don't book tickets with these carriers as a result.

IFE is part of the package you purchase - its more than just a journey for some - so they really ought to be up-front before booking. This time I had a choice between Air Canada on a 777 (AC advertise on-demand IFE throughout) and Virgin on a 340.

As is often the case there was nothing between them on price so I picked Virgin on past experience - I usually always fly with them and I've always had great flights rammed full of the latest entertainment. Usually on A340-600's.

At the time I didn't realise the 300 had 90's level IFE - I just assumed it was a 600 with less seats (Which it is) and I didn't realise until after I'd booked. I know, its a failing on my part and I didn't do sufficient homework, but given my first flight with VS was 10 years ago, on a 340, with on-demand, the thought hadn't even crossed my mind that it'd be anything but.

I'll get over it and board with a loaded ipad and hey, maybe Reel won't even be that bad, but you can understand why it's miffing, thats all. It just taints the experience somewhat.

I appreciate the business reasons for not re-fitting the fleet with the latest IFE but I don't think its unreasonable to expect that they might want to try hard to restrict these planes to only the shortest and cheapest routes? YVR is a long way and, due to a relative lack of demand and competition on this route, is expensive compared to other North American fares.

I get it - IFE isnt the end of the world, its my mistake, but hey, venting frustration makes you feel better, right?

Yes YVR is a long way but as you point out it's about business - distance is irrelevant. It's about matching aircraft type and capacity with demand and profitability. The A343s fly on what are obviously Virgin's secondary routes - Vancouver, Chicago, Accra and Dubai. It makes sense to put their biggest and best and/or newest planes on the most lucrative business and holiday routes like New York, Las Vegas, Orlando & Hong Kong.

At the end of the day only three planes out of 40-odd still have the old IFE so you have to be pretty unlucky to get one. And it's still perfectly usable, albeit a little outdated in an age when we're all used to smartphones and tablets.

It's interesting how varied the opinions are. I only rarely watch the IFE now, usually just using the map. This is partly because I prefer to read a book or work, but also because I was starting to find that there was little on the VS IFE that I actually wanted to see.

Having said that, when I flew VX a few times earlier this year I was hugely impressed by the range of IFE and avidly watched interesting foreign films from gate to gate.

interesting indeed. I am quite amazed by the amount of people who dont seem too fussed about IFE.
I think for me its part of the package. And again IFE at the time was the main reason I originally chose VS back in the day.
I will get my iphone loaded up and wait and see.

interesting indeed. I am quite amazed by the amount of people who dont seem too fussed about IFE. IFE at the time was the main reason I originally chose VS back in the day.

Absolutely - back in the day your only options for entertainment on a 12 hour flight, other than IFE, were a good book, magazines, a walkman (latterly an mp3 player) or a portable games console. We're really only talking as recently as 5-10 years ago that it was a novelty getting on a plane and being able to watch a film on your own seatback TV.

But then Apple* came along and changed everything. Very quickly smartphones, tablets and eBook readers have surpassed anything IFE can offer. With the pace of technology now, it's virtually impossible for the airlines to keep up without spending millions on installing new state-of-the-art IFE every year or two. Which clearly isn't commercially viable.

5 years ago, Vera Touch would have been revolutionary. Now, it already feels a bit old and clunky - and it's one of the best IFE systems out there. To keep up, as we speak airlines will have to be developing an IFE that offers virtually unlimited access to films, newspapers, e-magazines, e-books and games as well as live TV. Because I bet in 5 years from now, the new must-have Apple* device will offer all that and more, even at 39,000 feet.

The reality, however, in these austere times is that airlines will forever be playing catch-up and I really do wonder whether at some point they'll just admit defeat and accept that everyone has access to their own, much better, IFE.

*other brands are available!

[mitchja]

Anyone else noticed that Delta are incorrectly marketing all VS flights as having 'on-demand' IFE? From this page on the DL website:

OUR ON BOARD BEST
Enjoy a consistent, industry-leading experience with our combined fleet. We’re talking 180° flat-bed seats with direct-aisle access and in-seat power in BusinessElite and Upper Class, extra comfort in premium economy and personal on-demand entertainment at every seat on every U.S. — U.K. flight.

[honey lamb]

Honeylamb - I consider myself told off lol

Oh dear, that wasn't meant as a telling off but just as a general observation about IFE and I suppose the dependence on it by some people.

In agree in part. However, the airlines are the ones that marketed the IFE to be a big deal and thus they can expect some flack when it doesn't work or is antiquated. It's part of the flying experience and in some cases a differenciator, so I don't think it's unexpected for people to gripe about it. As you say, the airlines have moved on and will continue to do so I imagine.

I accept what you're saying about it being part of the experience and about getting flack when it doesn't work or is antiquated. Going back to a plane which shows Reel instead of On Demand when you've been used to the later requires a change of mindset, especially if one is used to something like Sky+ at home. We are all so used to pausing, re-winding etc. However there is a level of choice on the Reel system as opposed to the other systems to which I have referred.

My other point is the need for back-up when things go wrong. I know I have been on flights where it hasn't worked or has failed when in the middle of a film I have been looking forward to watching, but in those circumstances I've always had something to fall back on be it a book, iPod and in more recent years, the iPad and iPhone. Given the numbers of people using (and abusing) IFE systems given the workload of the planes flying VS, things are bound to go wrong from time to time and that's life.

In any case, you can find yourself on a plane with the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art system and still find that there's nothing there that you want to watch :0

Honeylamb - I consider myself told off lol

Oh dear, that wasn't meant as a telling off but just as a general observation about IFE and I suppose the dependence on it by some people.

. You are right in that observation and seems alot of people are thinking the same.

@simonallardice - Agreed.

Interesting how much we have grown used to technology. While I accept that as many of you have said -that we should be prepared for when IFE doesnt work or is not up to our "standard" - I also feel like that; IFE is a major part of the flight (on long haul especially) and is a reason some people chose one airline over another.
I think the scouts moto should come in to play here and if the IFE is up to scratch then great, if not then well you should already BE PREPARED.

[mitchja]

The other thing to remember is which class you are flying in has an impact on IFE usage. In Upper there's other things to do and keep you occupied such as the bar, getting up and interacting with other pax and crew, but in economy there's nothing other than you and your seat for the entire flight.

On my last Upper flight (to MCO 2 years ago, the IFE did indeed completely fail, it was a LHR 744 so was V:Port) but TBH, the failure didn't make much of a difference because I was in Upper. If I had been in Premium or Economy it would have probably had a bigger impact.

Having flown in all cabins, flights in Upper always pass quicker where ever I' going because there's much more to keep you occupied.

Just loading up my Sky Go Extra app (which, BTW is now free if you have Sky multi-room) on my iPad now as we speak for tomorrow :w

The reality, however, in these austere times is that airlines will forever be playing catch-up and I really do wonder whether at some point they'll just admit defeat and accept that everyone has access to their own, much better, IFE.

I was wondering about that too. I suspect that what will happen is that eventually they will rent you a device, for a nominal extra fee, if you don't have one of your own.

Honeylamb - I consider myself told off lol

Oh dear, that wasn't meant as a telling off but just as a general observation about IFE and I suppose the dependence on it by some people.

In agree in part. However, the airlines are the ones that marketed the IFE to be a big deal and thus they can expect some flack when it doesn't work or is antiquated. It's part of the flying experience and in some cases a differenciator, so I don't think it's unexpected for people to gripe about it. As you say, the airlines have moved on and will continue to do so I imagine.

I accept what you're saying about it being part of the experience and about getting flack when it doesn't work or is antiquated. Going back to a plane which shows Reel instead of On Demand when you've been used to the later requires a change of mindset, especially if one is used to something like Sky+ at home. We are all so used to pausing, re-winding etc. However there is a level of choice on the Reel system as opposed to the other systems to which I have referred.

My other point is the need for back-up when things go wrong. I know I have been on flights where it hasn't worked or has failed when in the middle of a film I have been looking forward to watching, but in those circumstances I've always had something to fall back on be it a book, iPod and in more recent years, the iPad and iPhone. Given the numbers of people using (and abusing) IFE systems given the workload of the planes flying VS, things are bound to go wrong from time to time and that's life.

In any case, you can find yourself on a plane with the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art system and still find that there's nothing there that you want to watch :0

You're absolutely right, since my switch to United the first thing I did was to invest in a Tablet. I am delighted when I can put the IFE on the map and just use my tablet, though I really have to get better at managing the stuff on my tablet.

[honey lamb]

You're absolutely right, since my switch to United the first thing I did was to invest in a Tablet. I am delighted when I can put the IFE on the map and just use my tablet, though I really have to get better at managing the stuff on my tablet.

That's what I do and indeed I'm more gutted when the map doesn't work. ) Like you, I need to manage my iPad better. I'd better get Aer John to give me some lessons! :w

The other thing to remember is which class you are flying in has an impact on IFE usage. In Upper there's other things to do and keep you occupied such as the bar, getting up and interacting with other pax and crew, but in economy there's nothing other than you and your seat for the entire flight.

On my last Upper flight (to MCO 2 years ago, the IFE did indeed completely fail, it was a LHR 744 so was V:Port) but TBH, the failure didn't make much of a difference because I was in Upper. If I had been in Premium or Economy it would have probably had a bigger impact.

Having flown in all cabins, flights in Upper always pass quicker where ever I' going because there's much more to keep you occupied.

Just loading up my Sky Go Extra app (which, BTW is now free if you have Sky multi-room) on my iPad now as we speak for tomorrow :w

That's a fair comment, James. There is more distraction in UC if the IFE fails, or fails to amuse.

Bugger, I don't think we have SkyGo Extra over here v(

Trouble with your own IFE is you are limited to older content thats already been released, whereas I've found VS IFE to have loads of new release movies I'd have to wait a long time to put onto my iPad.

Hi sorry to steal your post but we are due to fly out in October to Orlando and looks like we have a chance of getting Vera touch on G-VKSS Madamoiselle Rouge. What is Vera Touch and do the Vera systems have all the films listed on Virgin Atlantic 'whats on' or only a selection?

[honey lamb]

Hi sorry to steal your post but we are due to fly out in October to Orlando and looks like we have a chance of getting Vera touch on G-VKSS Madamoiselle Rouge. What is Vera Touch and do the Vera systems have all the films listed on Virgin Atlantic 'whats on' or only a selection?

Vera Touch will have all the films listed on the Virgin Atlantic website. It's only Vera Reel that will have a selection of them

[honey lamb]

Trouble with your own IFE is you are limited to older content thats already been released, whereas I've found VS IFE to have loads of new release movies I'd have to wait a long time to put onto my iPad.

True, and I have often been pleased to view them but sometimes (especially after a session in the Clubhouse and the pre-dinner drinkies on board), the tried and tested favourites are the most one can cope with :w :w :w

Hi sorry to steal your post but we are due to fly out in October to Orlando and looks like we have a chance of getting Vera touch on G-VKSS Madamoiselle Rouge. What is Vera Touch and do the Vera systems have all the films listed on Virgin Atlantic 'whats on' or only a selection?

Vera Touch is the touch screen system with films on demand whenever you want them. It also has games.

Listings here
http://virginatlantic.mymovies.net/?s=2&p=2

This thread is about Vera Reel that is still on some of the A340-3 aircraft, which is the system that continually plays movies and shows much like live TV at home. You can change the channel but have to wait until the start.

And are you sure you're on G-VKSS in October as its due for a cabin refit around then. You might be on a Jumbo (with Vera Touch) instead.

[honey lamb]

Hi sorry to steal your post but we are due to fly out in October to Orlando and looks like we have a chance of getting Vera touch on G-VKSS Madamoiselle Rouge. What is Vera Touch and do the Vera systems have all the films listed on Virgin Atlantic 'whats on' or only a selection?

Vera Touch is the touch screen system with films on demand whenever you want them. It also has games.

Listings here
http://virginatlantic.mymovies.net/?s=2&p=2

This thread is about Vera Reel that is still on some of the A340-3 aircraft, which is the system that continually plays movies and shows much like live TV at home. You can change the channel but have to wait until the start.

And are you sure you're on G-VKSS in October as its due for a cabin refit around then. You might be on a Jumbo (with Vera Touch) instead.

Fuzzy, the reality is, that whatever plane they are on, they will not be on a V-REEL flight.

[
Fuzzy, the reality is, that whatever plane they are on, they will not be on a V-REEL flight.

Yes on that route there is no need to think about it.
I am thinking the main issue is how to create my own IFE.
Either download through the likes of iTunes-expensive, or buy DVDs and upload to iPhone-the long winded way.
I am intrigued by this use of the map on IFE? Doesn't it make the flight seem really long ? Thinking about it now I seem to recall seeing people doing as you described re: THE MAP on previous flights

Hi sorry to steal your post but we are due to fly out in October to Orlando and looks like we have a chance of getting Vera touch on G-VKSS Madamoiselle Rouge. What is Vera Touch and do the Vera systems have all the films listed on Virgin Atlantic 'whats on' or only a selection?

Vera Touch is the touch screen system with films on demand whenever you want them. It also has games.

Listings here
http://virginatlantic.mymovies.net/?s=2&p=2

This thread is about Vera Reel that is still on some of the A340-3 aircraft, which is the system that continually plays movies and shows much like live TV at home. You can change the channel but have to wait until the start.

And are you sure you're on G-VKSS in October as its due for a cabin refit around then. You might be on a Jumbo (with Vera Touch) instead.

Wasn't sure what we would have, I was just going by the V Flyer 'which aircraft' and G-VKSS is the most popular at the moment. But since then our seat map has opened up on VA and we seem to have, at present, an A330-300 3 cabin.