Only Difference Between Classes Is Screen Size
In an effort to woo more passengers, Singapore Airlines is
equipping its newest aircraft with more in-flight movies on larger
screens... and a PC at every seat.
Singapore Airlines doesn't believe in-flight services are a
place for cutbacks, reports PC World Communications. The cabin
service investments are viewed as a way to help it stand out from
its competition.
The carrier uses KrisWorld for its in-flight entertainment
system. It can offer on-demand movies, television shows, games and
music to passengers.
"It's become expected," said Eric Tong, senior manager of
in-flight entertainment product innovation at Singapore Airlines.
Improvement upon what people expect will help the carrier rise
above the competition, he said.
KrisWorld's most recent version has an improved user interface
and is based on Panasonic Avionics Corp.'s eX2 in-flight
entertainment system. It has a central server connected to a
network of PCs installed in every seat. Economy-class seat gets
10.6-inch screens with a 1280 x 768 resolution; business class gets
a 15.4-inch screen; first class, a 23-inch screen.
The main server has terabytes of space for content available to
passengers, said Tong. Each seats' PC has 40GB of hard drive space
with a Via Technologies processor and runs on Red Hat's Linux
operating system complete with USB ports.
Passengers will have the choice of 100 movies, 150 television
shows, 700 music CDs, 22 radio stations, and 65 games that are
changed around every month, as well as Berlitz language lessons and
live text news among other things.
The carrier will even sell you a keyboard to take advantage of
it all. The only thing lacking is internet service, although the
carrier is researching that issue.
"We are reviewing options and once we find that there are viable
options, sustainable ones over the longer term ... we will
certainly look at it," Tong said.
Perhaps the carrier should talk to Qantas. The Panasonic
In-flight Entertainment System Qantas will be installing is
state-of-the-art, offering greater choice, more entertainment
options and in-seat access to email and the internet as well as
wireless connectivity for customers with their own laptop.
"Our new IFE will have over 100 on-demand movies, 350 television
selections, 500 audio CDs, 30 PC style games, and a selection of
audio books, language tutorials, destination information, business
education and radio channels.
An advanced graphic user interface will allow passengers to
easily navigate through the vast range of entertainment options,"
Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said.
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