In a time where commercial air-travel is at its peak and literally millions of people rely on flying as a mode of transport each year, imagine boarding an aircraft with several hundred others with no in-flight system to speak of – and it being a 10+ hour flight.
What do you do? Truth is, it’s hard to imagine nowadays what it would be like to fly long-haul or even mid-haul without a screen in front of you to keep your sanity in check. It’s probably one of the most (or if you’re like me, the utmost) important component of flying for many. Particularly if you’re travelling alone, there’s only a very specific amount of small talk that’s socially acceptable on a flight, and it’s usually kept to five or ten-minute doses at 2 or 3-hour intervals.
So, with soaring fares and flights at crammed capacity, it’s a good thing airlines are investing serious money in the IFE which pose as respite to the many hassles of flying. Indeed, the films, games and shows on the back of seats are emerging as the best remedy for easing the pain of mid-flight misery.
Emirates
We could only kick this list off with the airline that has snagged the Skytrax award for inflight entertainment for five consecutive years – Emirates. It’s evident the Dubai-based carrier takes its airborne diversions very seriously through its exhaustive collection of movies, music and more all presented in the system known as ICE – Information, Communication and Entertainment. An industry leader in IFE capabilities, Emirates was the first airline to install seatback screens on every aircraft in its fleet in 1992.
On Emirates flights, thanks to a satellite connection passengers can access a live feed of BBC news headlines. On some flights access to live television channels such as Sport 24, BBC World News, BBC Arabic and Euronews are available, whilst the Airshow channel continuously updates passengers on the progress of their flight.
In addition, customers can stay connected mid-flight on certain flights using their mobile phones as well as GPRS/EDGE services. Wi-Fi is available on the A380s, and with more than 1,500 different channels including the latest films, classic films, TV series and kids channels, everyone is catered for. And if that wasn’t enough, there is also a wide selection of music and games, as well as interactive games (where you can play with other passengers).
Singapore Airlines
Formerly holding the record for the longest non-stop flight (Singapore to New York route), Singapore Airlines has good reason to make their IFE one of the best in the skies: to keep their passengers distracted whilst cooped up in a small space for hours 36,000 feet above sea level. Although it no longer operates this route, it still flies some of the longest direct flights scheduled.
And the KrisWorld system is certainly up to the task. With over a thousand choices on some flights including the usual offerings of movies (up to 80 of them on some flights), music, TV, games and radio programs, the hours just melt away. On some planes, the system even has a USB port so passengers can use the system as a personal media player, photo viewer or PDF reader – handy for getting some work done. Audio books, iPod and iPhone connectivity are also available.
A standout feature, available on the Boeing 777-300ERs and A380s, is the language learning programs offered on the Berlitz Word Traveller – an interactive learning program that features lessons for 23 languages.
Virgin America
It’s handy being an airline owned by an entertainment company, as a premium is placed on the entertaining element of the flight. On Virgin America, each seat has a touch-screen system that includes seat-to-seat messaging if you need to chat to someone on the other side of the aircraft without getting up!
The top-notch user interface, RED, is packed with features including 18 television channels from DISH Network, 25 on-demand films that can be operated like a DVR, tons of video games, interactive Google Maps for accurate flight tracking, digital shopping, and a music library with around 3,000 choices, as well as eBooks. Unique capabilities also include a food and beverage ordering system, and electrical outlets for plugging in laptops and other devices. On top of all this, Wi-Fi powered by Gogo is also available on most flights, although this comes at an additional cost.
With an impressive array of offerings, it’s no surprise Virgin America has in the past won the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Passenger Choice Award for what the airline is convinced is ‘the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the skies’.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR REVIEW...