IFE available from gate on a QF B747

[harvyk]

Hey,

I flew back on QF16 LAX-BNE the other night, on boarding the aircraft I noticed they already had the IFE enabled, better yet it let me watch an episode of the simpsons whilst waiting for the other pax to board rather than simply stare out the window and flick through the mag which is what I'd normally do whilst waiting for pax to board...

Whilst of course it was switched off during the safety demo, it was then turned back on before take off.

My question is, why don't they normally have the system running during boarding and taxi? Why is it normally 15 to 20 minutes after take off before they switch the system on? It can't be a pax safety thing as there are other airlines which do gate to gate (and I've seen it once before on a QF A380)

Any thoughts?

 

[markis10]

Its in QF's interests to have its passengers entertained and concentrating on the screen rather than looking out the window at engines etc!

 

[harvyk]

They didn't do it on the way over on QF15...

(As a side note they did use the words 90th anniversary on that flight more times than I thought was humanly possible in a 13 hour period)

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

Your experience should become the norm on B747 flights.

Previously, the Rockwell Collins IFE system installed on the 747s wasn't stable enough to be operated during takeoff and landing, so it had to be turned off. They are going through a software upgrade to improve stability and allow the IFE to be available whenever pax are on board.

The A380 already has its IFE operating from the moment pax board, so the 747 is being aligned.

 

[harvyk]

Your experience should become the norm on B747 flights.

I like the sound of that, on a side note is was VH-OJA (City of Canberra) which I was on...

 

[Princess Fiona]

TT on the 73H has it too, unless you are sitting in row 4 :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

Not an option it would seem for the premium classes, who do not have seatback IFE and thus need to keep their video screens stowed. Unless this practice will change.

 

[docjames]

Not an option it would seem for the premium classes, who do not have seatback IFE and thus need to keep their video screens stowed. Unless this practice will change.

That would be an evacuation impedence, and as such unlikely to change unfortunately.

Don't upstairs on the 744 have the screens in the seat backs (other than exit row?)

 

[ejb]

Not an option it would seem for the premium classes, who do not have seatback IFE and thus need to keep their video screens stowed. Unless this practice will change.

I think the need for stowing the screens during takeoff/landing won't change anytime soon.

This will be the only upside to the new 42J A332's, there had to be one

ejb

 

[JohnK]

Your experience should become the norm on B747 flights.

Sounds great.

Although it will/should not be available until after takeoff if sitting in a bulkhead or exit row.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I think the need for stowing the screens during takeoff/landing won't change anytime soon.

This will be the only upside to the new 42J A332's, there had to be one

ejb

Good pick up! You should apply to Red Roo for a job in QF marketing the new domestic PE

 

[serfty]

...

Don't upstairs on the 744 have the screens in the seat backs (other than exit row?)

I am thinking that currently, other than bulkhead/exit row, all 744 Skybeds have a screen in the back of the seat in front.

 

[harvyk]

Don't upstairs on the 744 have the screens in the seat backs (other than exit row?)

All bar row 16 (and row 23 downstairs)... That said, the one small disadvantage of not being able to use a screen prior to take off is very quickly mitigated by the fact that you have tons of space in front of you, thus can get in and out without annoying the pax next to you.