Top: Airlines have started expanding in-flight entertainment systems from first-class cabins, like this one aboard Emirates, to include those passengers packed more tightly in the rear of the plane.
Bottom: Virgin America's Red system is based on Panasonic's latest IFE technology and is available on flights to seven major destinations.
Today, it will be hard to find anyone whom you can convince that in 1965 all the world's airlines voted to outlaw movies on airplanes as an unnecessary and costly frill! Presently, an economy passenger on Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 has access to 100 movies, 180 television shows, and 700 audio CDs. With Boeing and Airbus backlogged with orders for more than 7000 new airplanes, more and more passengers will have an opportunity to be wowed by an in-flight entertainment system soon.
A few years ago, such a selection would be available only to business or first class-passengers, but the airlines have started moving formerly premium IFE (In-flight Entertainment Systems) services to the main cabin passengers, who are actually more likely to use them.
"In economy class, airlines want to provide a distraction and sense of space that allows you to focus and not be concerned that you might feel constricted in your seat," says Neil James, the director of corporate sales and marketing for Panasonic Avionics Corp., of California, USA, a major provider of in-flight entertainment systems.
Singapore Airlines, who flies the longest distance flights (10, 371 statute miles) and the longest duration flights (over 18 and a half hours), considers IFE systems to be psychological necessities for their passengers.
"For many carriers, IFE systems are a nice add-on or a nice frill; they're absolutely essential for us," says James Boyd, a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines. Especially for longer flights, an IFE system can provide the sense of control for the passenger in an otherwise powerless situation. "Airlines tell you when you have to come to the airport, when you can board, when the aircraft is going to leave, how long it's going to be aloft, when you can get out of your seats, and that creates an enormous amount of stress for passengers," he adds.
Studies indicate that better-designed IFE systems provide passengers with a greater perception of control. This means that airlines have to create systems that appeal to everyone, from those who like to socialize with their fellow passengers to those who would rather be left alone with their IFE system for the entire trip. But developing an IFE system is not as simple as ringing up an IFE supplier and saying, "I'll take 20 of your latest IFE systems sitting on the shelf over there, and could you please deliver them by next Tuesday?"
In reality, it is anything but that! The airlines, seating company and the IFE provider all have to work together to produce a perfectly working system, which is easier said than done.
Increased modularity requires modern IFE systems to rely more heavily on software than hardware. For example, when the Boeing 777 was developed, the avionics package required 2.6 million lines of code, and the IFE system had only 250 000 lines. Compare that with the Boeing 787, which has more than 6.5 million lines of code in the avionics package, and almost as many in its IFE system, according to Panasonic.
Software is generally easier to change than hardware, but it also has a second advantage: it's weightless. IFE system manufacturers and seat suppliers have always looked for ways to reduce the weight, but there is more urgency with today's increasing fuel prices.
In the near future, in-flight Internet connectivity may finally be arriving. In USA, Amewrican Airlines launched Wi-Fi service for flights on its Boeing 767-200 aircraft between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. Five other U.S. airlinesJet Blue, Alaska, Delta, Continental, and Southwesthave plans to roll out access in six months to a year. Air France, Lufthansa, and Qantas are looking to follow suit shortly.
Another thing to watch for is more passenger/IFE system personalisation. Passengers may find that when they get to their seats, the system greets them by name, notes their destination, and asks if they need a restaurant recommendation or reservation. It may also let them know that an acquaintance from LinkedIn or Facebook is also on the flight or in the destination city!
Information & Image Source: IEEE and other Websites
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