We are sure you have heard all about Virgin America's LetVAfly Campaign. But if not, check out this video on YouTube for the Virgin America in-flight entertainment demo.

¶ 7:52 AM 1 comments

Boeing Delivers 600th 777 via AIRFAX.com

On 12-14-2006 The Boeing Company delivered its 600th 777 airplane, to Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines now operates 61 777s, the largest 777 fleet in the world with 16 more 777-300ERs that remain to be delivered. The airplane delivered today will be added to the airline's fleet of 12 777-300s, 31 777-200s, 15 777-200ERs, 2 777-300ERs and 23 747-400s.

The 777 family of airplanes is the market leader in the 300-to-400-seat segment, consistently capturing more than 60 percent of that market since the airplane was launched. To date, Boeing has sold 889 777 jetliners, with 49 customers around the world that own or operate the efficient and passenger-pleasing twin-aisle airplane.

Intheairnet confirmed as Virgin America TV equipment supplier via this Shephard Group report. Interesting, but the airline has not yet launched.

VIRGIN AMERICA has confirmed Californian IFE supplier Intheairnet as the supplier of the inflight television hardware that will support its newly announced DISH Network service for passengers.

When the airline finally enters service passengers will be able to enjoy audio/video on demand and DISH Network live television, both delivered via a Panasonic in-seat IFE system. Intheairnet is supplying the mechanically steered Ku-band antenna and the other system elements needed to pick up the satellite TV signals and deliver them to the Panasonic cabin network.

The antenna is the domestic version of the lightweight, low-profile inTV design presented by Intheairnet at last September’s WAEA show. Designed to work with Ku-band direct-broadcast TV systems around the world, it is claimed to be able to deliver 25 per cent more gain than existing Ku-band TV antennas.

The system on show at WAEA comprised the antenna, a control unit (ACU) and a decoder-receiver (ADR). The ADR housed six receiver-decoder cards – one per channel - in a 4MCU package.

Apart from being very compact and, at 18lb all-up weight, very light, the antenna can be switched quickly from international to US domestic usage. Heart of the antenna is a rectangular panel covered with radiating elements and mounted on an azimuth/elevation actuator. The panel for use in international airspace measures 30in across. It can be replaced by removing a couple of screws with a 24in panel for use in the US domestic environment, with its higher-power satellites.

Apologies for yet another Panasonic Avionics post. I'm not biased - maybe Panasonic just has a better PR team? You can always email me any news anonymously.

¶ 4:42 PM 0 comments

These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the seat back displays.

In-flight iPod connectivity will be available to Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United passengers beginning in mid 2007. Additionally, Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more leading airlines in-flight iPod connectivity in the future.

¶ 4:35 PM 0 comments

Kingfisher to offer live television as reported by Inflight Online -

INDIA’S Kingfisher Airlines is to begin offering live television aboard its aircraft by the end of the month.

Kingfisher already offers Thales TopSeries distributed and audio/video-on-demand IFE aboard its growing fleets of Airbus A320-family aircraft and ATR 72-500 turboprops. Now, following an agreement announced last Friday, Kingfisher passengers will enjoy access to 16 live television channels through their in-seat screens.

Programming will be provided by Dish TV – the direct-to-home TV operation 20 per cent owned by Indian media conglomerate Zee Group – and third parties.

In other news... Akshay from Mumbai sends us this screenshot of the in-seat cabin entertainment on a Jet Airways flight. Can anyone identify the system manufacturer?

UPDATE - Manufacturer identified as Panasonic Avionics. Thanks, anonymous!

Sky Screen, originally uploaded by Premshree Pillai.

¶ 7:48 AM 4 comments