Boeing 777 Order Count and Virgin America TV

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