737 Economy seat power trial in Q2 2017

[HeavyElectricity]

Just read this over on AusBT:

Virgin Australia powers up with at-seat AC, USB for Boeing 737

In economy there'll be a pair of AC sockets and high-power USB ports for each group of three seats, with the outlets mounted between the three seats in front of the guests for ease of access.

Business seats will also get a high-power USB socket.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

My initial thoughts:

• A very welcome update!
• The 737's have needed power for a long time, if you end up on a BNE-PER flight then the BYOD policy doesn't really work on a 6+ hour flight - especially if you need to use your phone after landing.
• Could this be in response to the upcoming removal of some A330s from trans-continental routes (being moved to PER-AUH, and future unannounced HKG routes)?
• A 12 month trial seems a little ridiculous, I'd imagine this should just be rolled out immediately, as it would probably take some time to get it fitted across the entire fleet.

 

[pauly7]

My initial thoughts:

• The 737's have needed power for a long time, if you end up on a BNE-PER flight then the BTOD policy doesn't really work on a 6+ hour flight - especially if you need to use your phone after landing.
• Could this be in response to the upcoming removal of some A330s from trans-continental routes (being moved to PER-AUH, and future unannounced HKG routes)?
• A 12 month trial seems a little ridiculous, I'd imagine this should just be rolled out immediately, as I imagine it would take some time to get it fitted across the entire fleet.

I think so - the A330's flying around Australia half empty isn't good business but they need to compensate with something nicer in the 737s...

 

[Milefest]

Hopefully they're installing USB C otherwise they'll become obsolete very quickly.

 

[Denali]

I read the blurb and I feel that VA are expecting high fives and congratulations for offering a basic that is expected on flights these days.

Its much needed and I fell underwhelmed by the announcement.

 

[MH_fan]

About bloody time. But seriously, why should this be a trial when it really should be a standard offering, especially when their IFE is a streaming one.

 

[toowongman]

But seriously, why should this be a trial ...

So when the dust settles in a few months they can quietly forget about it and save the money. Remember the trial of hot meals on the domestic triangle? Talk up a storm - then do 1% of it ... then wander off and forget.

 

[Milefest]

Remember the trial of hot meals on the domestic triangle? Talk up a storm - then do 1% of it ... then wander off and forget.

Or the free spirits trial that was an absolute success? Although I just read that they'll probably charge for them.