Standby for HUGE VB announcement Thursday 4th
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Devonport Tasmania Australia
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting DJ737.
EK (J class admittedly) 777-300 MELSINMEL - 80 odd movies on demand, plug into in seat socket recess to activate. FOC too.
I am lead to believe over 200 on demand titles in A340-500, plus a good mix of old and new stuff on both types.
I personally cant see it as being a huge passenger drag, but who knows. Providing it doesnt rob any more personal space, it will not hurt the experience.
As for EK, if you fly them during Rammadan ask for the side of the aeroplane with the Pommy, Kiwi or Aussie ladies doing the service. Lack of food slows the others down badly.
Enjoyed the experience though. The GA business class SIN DPS was considerably amusing and totally pleasant.The landing in DPS (clear air - nil wind CAV OK) was a testament to the talents of Mr Boeing's incumbents.
Our DJ sell last accounting month was $29,000 and growing - and that is in a non DJ port. I can see it moving higher.
Hey - anything restoring a level of service on an Australian Airline these days is a plus. The way things have been going I would not have been amazed if Jetscar had announced outside toilets.
Best all
EWL
EK (J class admittedly) 777-300 MELSINMEL - 80 odd movies on demand, plug into in seat socket recess to activate. FOC too.
I am lead to believe over 200 on demand titles in A340-500, plus a good mix of old and new stuff on both types.
I personally cant see it as being a huge passenger drag, but who knows. Providing it doesnt rob any more personal space, it will not hurt the experience.
As for EK, if you fly them during Rammadan ask for the side of the aeroplane with the Pommy, Kiwi or Aussie ladies doing the service. Lack of food slows the others down badly.
Enjoyed the experience though. The GA business class SIN DPS was considerably amusing and totally pleasant.The landing in DPS (clear air - nil wind CAV OK) was a testament to the talents of Mr Boeing's incumbents.
Our DJ sell last accounting month was $29,000 and growing - and that is in a non DJ port. I can see it moving higher.
Hey - anything restoring a level of service on an Australian Airline these days is a plus. The way things have been going I would not have been amazed if Jetscar had announced outside toilets.
Best all
EWL
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Townsville,Nth Queensland
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fri "The Australian"
Pay-TV to get a ride on Virgin
Steve Creedy
November 05, 2004
VIRGIN Blue believes an ambitious plan to introduce live subscription television to Australian air travellers will add no more than 1 per cent to its cost base.
But it hopes this will be more than offset by an increase in revenue as bored passengers pay up to $5 to tune in to 24 channels of Foxtel beamed in by Austar satellite.
Virgin believes its Live2air system will act as a drawcard and position it as a market leader in domestic inflight entertainment.
The system from US company LiveTV is similar to those successfully offered in North America by carriers such as JetBlue, Westjet and Frontier.
Chief executive Brett Godfrey said the pricing reflected Virgin Blue's philosophy of providing extras such as lounges in a cost-neutral way and was not expecting to make a big profit from it.
"As long as it makes more than it costs, we'll be exceptionally happy," he said.
"I think our shareholders will be happy with it. I think the market will be happy with it and I think the consumers will be ecstatic about it."
Live2air will allow travellers to swipe a credit card and access live sport, news, business and entertainment on seat-back screens.
Virgin will also be able to charge for advertising on the system if it so chooses.
Frontier, which also charges for the service but has shorter stage lengths than Virgin, makes a profit on the service with a take-up of 40 to 50 per cent of passengers. A LiveTV presentation said load factors on Frontier jumped 11 per cent in the first month after the system became available.
LiveTV said a study found that two-thirds of business travellers and 75 per cent of leisure travellers would choose an airline that offered the system over one that did not.
Virgin's seven-year turn-key contract includes installation, maintenance and upgrading of the system as well as exclusive local rights for three years.
The technology uses a patented dual-polarised antenna to allow a moving jet to lock on to the satellite signal at 40,000ft.
Mr Godfrey said the airline had been working on the project for four years and focus groups indicated that it would be well regarded.
"It's a fantastic product addition, particularly on longer sectors and particularly if you're travelling during the business news (cycle) for people who want to get stock exchange closings," he said.
The first fitted aircraft is due to be rolled out in the middle of next year. The airline is now moving to get the system certified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Mr Godfrey said Virgin was still deciding whether to modify planes during annual overhauls or do the work "nose-to-tail" in a few months.
He said the airline would install the television in every seat, or about 8000 across the fleet, because it did not believe it was practical to install it in just some planes.
Foxtel chief executive Kim Williams said the Virgin system was a "wonderful exhibition" of the company's product.
Asked if Foxtel would make money on the deal, he said: "We won't lose any."
============================================
Pay-TV to get a ride on Virgin
Steve Creedy
November 05, 2004
VIRGIN Blue believes an ambitious plan to introduce live subscription television to Australian air travellers will add no more than 1 per cent to its cost base.
But it hopes this will be more than offset by an increase in revenue as bored passengers pay up to $5 to tune in to 24 channels of Foxtel beamed in by Austar satellite.
Virgin believes its Live2air system will act as a drawcard and position it as a market leader in domestic inflight entertainment.
The system from US company LiveTV is similar to those successfully offered in North America by carriers such as JetBlue, Westjet and Frontier.
Chief executive Brett Godfrey said the pricing reflected Virgin Blue's philosophy of providing extras such as lounges in a cost-neutral way and was not expecting to make a big profit from it.
"As long as it makes more than it costs, we'll be exceptionally happy," he said.
"I think our shareholders will be happy with it. I think the market will be happy with it and I think the consumers will be ecstatic about it."
Live2air will allow travellers to swipe a credit card and access live sport, news, business and entertainment on seat-back screens.
Virgin will also be able to charge for advertising on the system if it so chooses.
Frontier, which also charges for the service but has shorter stage lengths than Virgin, makes a profit on the service with a take-up of 40 to 50 per cent of passengers. A LiveTV presentation said load factors on Frontier jumped 11 per cent in the first month after the system became available.
LiveTV said a study found that two-thirds of business travellers and 75 per cent of leisure travellers would choose an airline that offered the system over one that did not.
Virgin's seven-year turn-key contract includes installation, maintenance and upgrading of the system as well as exclusive local rights for three years.
The technology uses a patented dual-polarised antenna to allow a moving jet to lock on to the satellite signal at 40,000ft.
Mr Godfrey said the airline had been working on the project for four years and focus groups indicated that it would be well regarded.
"It's a fantastic product addition, particularly on longer sectors and particularly if you're travelling during the business news (cycle) for people who want to get stock exchange closings," he said.
The first fitted aircraft is due to be rolled out in the middle of next year. The airline is now moving to get the system certified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Mr Godfrey said Virgin was still deciding whether to modify planes during annual overhauls or do the work "nose-to-tail" in a few months.
He said the airline would install the television in every seat, or about 8000 across the fleet, because it did not believe it was practical to install it in just some planes.
Foxtel chief executive Kim Williams said the Virgin system was a "wonderful exhibition" of the company's product.
Asked if Foxtel would make money on the deal, he said: "We won't lose any."
============================================
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: 38,000 ft
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Poor Foxtel, even with a monopoly in OZ they are still trying to find a way in to the average persons home.
I suppose by installing in our aircraft they might pick up a few more subscriptions.
BUT the main deal will be the free installation for VB, I just hope we can keep up the $49.95 per month for 24 months on the basic package. Hopefully God will take it out of his pay check. Cos I cant afford it on mine
I suppose by installing in our aircraft they might pick up a few more subscriptions.
BUT the main deal will be the free installation for VB, I just hope we can keep up the $49.95 per month for 24 months on the basic package. Hopefully God will take it out of his pay check. Cos I cant afford it on mine
Foxtel sucks outside of the footy season.
Last night watched lions eating zebras, snake wranglers, a very American perspective of world news ( CNN & Fox News ) but finally, near midnight, a modern rendition of Greene's Quiet American on Movie One.
Only those who subscribe to Foxtel know how difficult it can be , outside of the cricket and footy seasons, to find something on.
I think I prefer the AirNZ option of paying for a new release movie.
WaterSpider
We often take our discussions to the playground here in Dunnunda, but rarely as convincing as your outbursts.
If you feel more comfortable drawing childhood analogies, fair enough, I will play too.
Yes I hated not having new toys all the time or being out done by other kids. This continues to this day which is why:
1) I don't work for Virgin Blue.
2) I avoid flying with Virgin Blue ( and Jetstar for that matter ).
This is small time stuff beaten up by the Virgin Blue publicity team. I honestly read into Bugsmasha's initial excitement with envy, as I thought ground breaking news of Virgin Blue launching Trans-Pacific services ( or the like ).
Last night watched lions eating zebras, snake wranglers, a very American perspective of world news ( CNN & Fox News ) but finally, near midnight, a modern rendition of Greene's Quiet American on Movie One.
Only those who subscribe to Foxtel know how difficult it can be , outside of the cricket and footy seasons, to find something on.
I think I prefer the AirNZ option of paying for a new release movie.
WaterSpider
We often take our discussions to the playground here in Dunnunda, but rarely as convincing as your outbursts.
If you feel more comfortable drawing childhood analogies, fair enough, I will play too.
Yes I hated not having new toys all the time or being out done by other kids. This continues to this day which is why:
1) I don't work for Virgin Blue.
2) I avoid flying with Virgin Blue ( and Jetstar for that matter ).
This is small time stuff beaten up by the Virgin Blue publicity team. I honestly read into Bugsmasha's initial excitement with envy, as I thought ground breaking news of Virgin Blue launching Trans-Pacific services ( or the like ).
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This move by Virgin will only dilute the effect of being a value based carrier, and make QF - often at the same or cheaper price, look a far more attractive option to the traveling public. ( eastwest loco I would be interested in your thoughts on that point.)
I gather from the earlier posted News report, that the Ground staff will help fund the new seats/IFE system??
I gather from the earlier posted News report, that the Ground staff will help fund the new seats/IFE system??
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: aus
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"We decided that we wanted to be a carrier that gave money and choice back, along with great service in an industry that had lost its romanticism."
If Virgin had have announced ten rows of affordable business class seats then I would have been excited, and it would certainly be an original concept. The market realy needs to moove to satisfy business travellers who want a quality product somewhere between QF business class and discount virgin or dare i say it jet bus.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: The Desert
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well Done VB Team
I would just like to post my sincere congratulations to the VB team for securing and initiating this new phase of the VB experience. This, regardless of what all the gripers say, is an excellent move by VB. Remember, this is for the PAX, not Pilots, so all the head in clouds Pilots who say Foxtel has nothing to offer, pull your heads in, you are not the market that this is aimed at.
I find it hard to believe that someone could make the remarks" outside of footy and cricket season, Foxtel has nothing to offer", firstly, sucked in to you for subscribing an outrageous amount of money for 12 months for nothing, your research skills must be limited. You are exactly the kind of person who will opt for VB over the others because it does have Foxtel. Well Done.
Lets see how the 6 million dollar man responds to this. There a funny bunch that lot, aren't they GD.
I find it hard to believe that someone could make the remarks" outside of footy and cricket season, Foxtel has nothing to offer", firstly, sucked in to you for subscribing an outrageous amount of money for 12 months for nothing, your research skills must be limited. You are exactly the kind of person who will opt for VB over the others because it does have Foxtel. Well Done.
Lets see how the 6 million dollar man responds to this. There a funny bunch that lot, aren't they GD.
Bottums Up
126.7,
a fairly recent talk back session on ABC-Radio National, about pay TV had the majority of callers make very similar statements to: " outside of footy and cricket season, Foxtel has nothing to offer".
Many further elaborated that whilst many favourite shows are on offer, eg. Frazier, The Simpsons, etc, etc. The choice of episodes and multiple repeats caused much displeasure amongst subscribers.
I can't get pay TV. Despite advertising, Austar (only supplier in YPDN) don't seem to want to provide any information to allow one to make an informed decision. Phone calls don't get answered, etc.
Wonder why they bother to advertise?
a fairly recent talk back session on ABC-Radio National, about pay TV had the majority of callers make very similar statements to: " outside of footy and cricket season, Foxtel has nothing to offer".
Many further elaborated that whilst many favourite shows are on offer, eg. Frazier, The Simpsons, etc, etc. The choice of episodes and multiple repeats caused much displeasure amongst subscribers.
I can't get pay TV. Despite advertising, Austar (only supplier in YPDN) don't seem to want to provide any information to allow one to make an informed decision. Phone calls don't get answered, etc.
Wonder why they bother to advertise?
Evertonian
Apparently, Qantas was going to counter Virgin's news by getting 2UE to broadcast live onto the aircraft, but the FAAA objected!
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin entertainment
126.7
I agree. The entertainment has already got me flying Virgin always from now on.
As a flight attendant with QFlink, I see the same food over and over again. As a pax, I'd rather fly with Virgin and pay that extra $10 for a choice of three hot meals and several cold meals and lots of snacks as opposed to being a pax on QF with the one choice (or two on city flyer). I would also pay and extra $5 every time to use the tvs in the seats (no matter how long the flight) as opposed to watching the same soppy movie as every one else, and rather have a choice of over 20 channels. To those who reckon that the VB live broadcasts would be cut half way dure to landing, I've had this on Qantas' movies twice.
The VB product sounds better and more appealing than Qantas' and especially Jetstar, as I live in Perth and all my flying out of Perth as a paying passenger would be about more than three hours.
In regards to peoples' comments to Virgin's seats, how big are you? I honestly can't remember a difference. Obviously I look like I'm in love with VB, but I honestly think they're the better airline from mid next year.
They've won me over, and probably many others from mid next year.
Good on em.
GP
I agree. The entertainment has already got me flying Virgin always from now on.
As a flight attendant with QFlink, I see the same food over and over again. As a pax, I'd rather fly with Virgin and pay that extra $10 for a choice of three hot meals and several cold meals and lots of snacks as opposed to being a pax on QF with the one choice (or two on city flyer). I would also pay and extra $5 every time to use the tvs in the seats (no matter how long the flight) as opposed to watching the same soppy movie as every one else, and rather have a choice of over 20 channels. To those who reckon that the VB live broadcasts would be cut half way dure to landing, I've had this on Qantas' movies twice.
The VB product sounds better and more appealing than Qantas' and especially Jetstar, as I live in Perth and all my flying out of Perth as a paying passenger would be about more than three hours.
In regards to peoples' comments to Virgin's seats, how big are you? I honestly can't remember a difference. Obviously I look like I'm in love with VB, but I honestly think they're the better airline from mid next year.
They've won me over, and probably many others from mid next year.
Good on em.
GP
