IFE systems - the way forward?

[florida4sun]

Brilliant thanks for posting, I go to europe a lot and it always frustrated me to lose Iplayer connection. With the download service you can watch programs from anywhere in the world

Thanks Euan - apparently this is a very new move only in place since the start of this week. I stumbled across it by pure accident last night. You need to update the iPlayer App before you can download.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-...phone-and-ipad

[MTP]

That's certainly interesting, as I've got a Nexus 7 I'll need to wait for the Android app to test it. I wonder if it checks the geolocation of the IP address at the time of adding the programme to the download queue. On the iPlayer over here I can't access the download button unless I use our VPN to access a UK IP address outlet (not that I'm recommending doing that, ahem, it is more just a technical observation!).

I would work under the assumption that you'll not be able to download programmes while connected to a Wi-Fi outwith the UK area, until we get confirmation otherwise (ie don't go through all of your stash on the outward journey!).

[Katys Grandad]

I would work under the assumption that you'll not be able to download programmes while connected to a Wi-Fi outwith the UK area, until we get confirmation otherwise (ie don't go through all of your stash on the outward journey!).

That would be my take on it as well. It looks like you have to do all your downloading in the UK before you leave.

[Katys Grandad]

Just to add to the debate on tablets and IFE in general, next week I'm flying Manchester to JFK and then connecting to a flight to Miami on American. I've done that journey quite a few times and, if the pattern of past is repeated, here's what will happen.

I'm in Business Class on the transatlantic leg and there will be removable tablets installed in the rear of the seats. Bose noise cancelling headsets will be handed out just after take off and collected about an hour before landing. In addition, there are overhead screens throughout the aircraft but no seatback IFE in Economy. The second leg will be a different flight number but is usually on the exact same aircraft.

I'm in the same cabin for the domestic leg but it's then called First Class. However, the tablets will have been removed and so-called First Class passengers will only have the overhead screens and the dreadful ear-bud headphones they give away (thankfully I have my own noise cancelling headphones and iPad). Of course, if the aircraft had fixed IFE units, I'd have it available to me throughout the entire journey.

I'm only posting this to demonstrate that the tablet option allows the airlines to choose when and in which form they will or won't offer IFE. It seems to me to be inevitable that, if they go down that route, the next step would be for them to see it as another source of revenue from already financially stretched passengers.

[MTP]

That's a thought, they wouldn't be able to use an off the shelf tablet, they would need to have the speakers disconnected (either manually or perhaps a bespoke install of Android would be the simpler way to go - after all a custom OS would probably be needed/best).

[MTP]

Hey, KG, AA have just made a press release, they are the first FAA-friendly airline to use iPads below 10,000 feet - they can now be used gate to gate (if you are in the cockpit!):

American Airlines First Commercial Carrier With FAA Approval To Use Electronic Flight Bags In All Phases Of Flight



Program Critical Part of American's Efforts to Improve Operational Efficiency for Pilots, Reduce Carbon Footprint


FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its efforts to advance airspace modernization, American Airlines today announced it is expanding its iPad Electronic Flight Bag program after becoming the first commercial carrier to receive FAA approval to use the Apple iPad in the cockpit during all phases of flight.
American's pilots will be using iPad, the only FAA-approved tablet as an Electronic Flight Bag in approved aircraft. An Electronic Flight Bag reduces or replaces paper-based reference material and manuals often found in a pilot's carry-on kitbag. Removing the 35-pound kitbag from each American Airlines plane will save an estimated $1.2 million of fuel annually based on current fuel prices.

"This is a very exciting and important milestone for all of us at American Airlines as we work to modernize our processes and best meet the needs of our people," said Captain John Hale, American's Vice President – Flight. "With this approval from the FAA, we will be able to use iPad to fully realize the benefits of our Electronic Flight Bag program, including improving the work environment for our pilots, reducing our dependency on paper products and increasing fuel efficiency on our planes. We are equipping our people with the best resources and this will allow our pilots to fly more efficiently."
"We're focused on building a new American where technology and innovation are fundamental to the company's return to industry leadership and exceptional customer service," said Maya Leibman, American's Chief Information Officer. "The Electronic Flight Bag program is just one more example of the progress we're making to provide the tools our employees need to deliver operational improvements and leading customer experience. In fact, our Flight Attendants have also been piloting an initiative on handheld tablets, which will give them better information about the customers on their flight and their travel needs. We'll have more to share on this and other industry-leading technologies in the weeks and months to come."
As part of the Electronic Flight Bag program, American's pilots will use mobile software and data from Jeppesen, a unit of Boeing Flight Services. The FAA-approved Jeppesen application, which is allowed for gate-to-gate use throughout all phases of flight, will replace bulky paper operating manuals with real-time, up-to-date electronic information that is easier to access. "Jeppesen mobile solutions will deliver our industry-leading flight information through the thousands of iPads that will be integrated by American Airlines in its operations," said Thomas Wede, Jeppesen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aviation. "We fully support American in this process and our mobile data software solution will work to increase operational efficiency, enhance situational awareness and reduce airline costs."
American's pilots will start using iPads this month on the airline's 777 fleet. American aims to have FAA approval for use in all fleet types by the end of 2012. Beginning in January 2013, American will stop distributing paper revisions to its flight manuals and most navigation charts.
To ease the transition company-wide, all active pilots and instructors will receive an iPad for use in training and inflight.
American first received FAA approval to use iPads in the cockpit in 2011, which came several months after American completed testing with pilots using iPads in the cockpit. The first FAA-approved device to be tested is the iPad, and if other tablets are approved by the FAA they will be evaluated for use.

[Katys Grandad]

Thanks Euan - I'm here in BA's Executive Lounge in Manchester having been re-routed through Heathrow and now on BA to Miami.

I'm still on AA on the way back so I'll test the system then!!!

[wrpac00]

I watched the olympics live on my iPad but I subscribed to a service for £4.99 a month which sets up a VPN so overcoming the message you get on the BBC site. I could also watch Sky go and ITV player with it.

[MTP]

VPN's will certainly do it for you and also allow you to use different Netflix selections dependent upon the country you VPN through. The only issues with VPN's is to ensure that you get a reliable throughput speed.