Box-office choice for Qantas flyers
By Steve Creedy
August 23, 2004
THE long, rewinding road will take a hi-tech detour on Qantas international planes later this year when the airline starts introducing 200 channels of on-demand video and audio selections.
The computer-based system, which will be available in all seats, replaces a cassette arrangement through which passengers had a frustrating wait for the longest film to finish before the system would rewind and allow them to view their next choice.
Travellers will now be able to start a video when they choose. They can also stop, pause, rewind or fast forward it.
Passengers will also be able to select tracks from various audio channels and set up a personal play list of their favourite songs.
The upgrade will bring Qantas into line with competitors such as Singapore Airlines and significantly expand its offerings to 100 video channels and a similar number of audio options.
The airline's new A330 aircraft will be the first to feature the system. Upgrades to the Boeing 747-400 fleet, which requires some hardware changes, are expected to begin next May.
Qantas often delays the introduction of new cabin technology while it lets other airlines grapple with the bugs that invariably accompany new systems.
The strategy lets the airline limit problems, but it also allows other carriers such as Singapore Airlines to gain a marketing edge.
Consumer expectations have risen markedly since the days when airlines showed a handful of films on long journeys and left high-flying insomniacs to count down the hours in a darkened cabin.
Many long-haul airlines now see inflight entertainment as a significant drawcard for business and leisure travellers.
Qantas will also this week introduce a revamped domestic cabin service that returns hot food to economy class and ends the reign of boxed meals.
The new system, to be introduced on Wednesday, allows passengers to select food from a range of gourmet offerings.
The Australian
