Qantas is voted best for IFE

[Yada Yada]

Qantas is voted best for in-flight entertainment

Australian national airline Qantas has been named the best airline for in-flight entertainment at a prestigious US awards ceremony.

The carrier, which flies to London Heathrow, scooped the Best Overall In-flight Entertainment prize at the 18th Annual Avion Awards in Miami Beach, Florida.

A panel of 23 industry experts judged in-flight offerings including audio, video and magazines according to various criteria such as originality, suitability, production value and content.

Runners-up in the category were KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Cathay Pacific, while India's Jet Airways took home the prize for smaller airlines (fewer than 25 aircraft).

Many of Qantas' flights offer Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD), whereby passengers can choose when to start programmes and can pause or fast forward them whenever they like.

Source...

WTF???????

 

[aus_flyer]

How Qantas beat Cathay, I will never know!!

Qantas' system doesn't work half the time!

 

[NM]

How Qantas beat Cathay, I will never know!!

Qantas' system doesn't work half the time!

Because the judging criteria had nothing to do with reliability, and everything to do with content. Those UK folks like the Aussie sit-coms.

 

[clifford]

Because the judging criteria had nothing to do with reliability, and everything to do with content. Those UK folks like the Aussie sit-coms.

You mean Kath & Kim, then?

And what about SQ? Best AVOD I've come across, followed by TG's A345's. QF - very limited selection, unless you like Kath and Kim (which I do).

 

[jakeseven7]

I'd agree - the IFE is really good, I can't complain with the content whatsoever. I've been pretty lucky not having any malfunctioning units so far though - fingers crossed!!

 

[Mal]

The Qantas mag is also reasonable reading, and I believe that was also judged as part of the entire package.

The "radio" stations are also good in my opinion. Definately a nice mix to suit the tastes of most pax.

(As for AVOiD, yeah it's cough. But hopefully will improve!)

 

[NM]

You mean Kath & Kim, then?

Yeah, I guess so. Those poms have strange taste.

And what about SQ? Best AVOD I've come across, followed by TG's A345's. QF - very limited selection, unless you like Kath and Kim (which I do).

I am not a K&K fan. And I often find myself sitting watching the flight path because I can't find anything more interesting to watch. Its a good thing I carry a swag of MP3s of The Goon Show on my PPC when I travel .

 

[Febs]

I'd agree - the IFE is really good, I can't complain with the content whatsoever. I've been pretty lucky not having any malfunctioning units so far though - fingers crossed!!

I completely agree. I've had nothing but fantastic experiences with QF's VOD. Much better than a non-VOD system IMO.

The CD library is fantastic too. Set a playlist, put the headphones on, go to sleep. Perfect.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Dave Noble]

Regardless of the reliability of the new equipment, I would say that QFs IFE is pretty decent. I havent sampled a lot of different carriers recently, but comparing it against BA and AA, it easily wins. How it stacks against every other carrier I don't know.

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Because the judging criteria had nothing to do with reliability, and everything to do with content. Those UK folks like the Aussie sit-coms.

Even ignoring the major reliability issues the content on QF is nowhere near as good as it should be. How many movies are scheduled for trans-tasman flights that you cant actually see through to the end? Selection is relatively limited and poor IMHO, especially compared with the huge libraries that SQ and EK have. Even compared with more modest libraries on NZ, LA, CX, etc QF comes up poor.

 

[simongr]

I think it must be pretty hard to judge the IFE between airlines as there are so many variables - AVOD, Int'l, Dom, Trans-Tas, reliability - I found AVOD in J good but apart from that the IFE for me is pretty much irrelevant - repeated sitcoms - all too brief news segments. I rely on the stuff I have on my computer if I want to watch anything - always good to catch up on missed TV shows on a long flight.

 

[browski]

The criteria must NOT include consistancy across the fleet.

Last week I flew Qantas Mumbai to Sydney (A330) - AVOD fantastic!
I also flew Qantas Perth - Singapore (767) Rubbish.

I also flew the Jet Airways 737 from Sin-Mumbai Rubbish.

So I guess they just submit the AVOD specs on their best flight and then that's enough to satisfy the judges - even if the rest of the fleet has nothing better than the equivalence of "Pong".

 

[NM]

The criteria must NOT include consistancy across the fleet.

It was a UK-based "competition" and QF only operates one type of aircraft into that market, the 747-400. We need to keep the competition scope on perspective when evauating the value and standing of such awards.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

It was a UK-based "competition" and QF only operates one type of aircraft into that market, the 747-400. We need to keep the competition scope on perspective when evauating the value and standing of such awards.

That makes it worse IMHO.

TG, CX, SQ, NZ, EK all have their best IFE on flights to/from UK. I've experienced all of these except TG and all better than QF.

 

[dajop]

That makes it worse IMHO.

TG, CX, SQ, NZ, EK all have their best IFE on flights to/from UK. I've experienced all of these except TG and all better than QF.

Agree totally. Whilst the QF AVOD system is quite good, I would say the volume and variety of films and TV programming, for example, on SQ's KrisWorld (AVOD) is much better than QF's relatively limited selection. As for audio channels I do have my favourites, but must admit I do miss my dose of Gisele Scales when not on QF!

The judging panel may explain the decision though .. international panel of judges drawn from the publishing, recording, and television/film industries evaluates all entries"
What about passengers?? Aren't they the ones that are supposed to be entertained!!

In QF's favour also, I'd say it is pretty hard to beat QF's "The Australian Way", it would have to be the best mag around.

 

[jakeseven7]

That makes it worse IMHO.

TG, CX, SQ, NZ, EK all have their best IFE on flights to/from UK. I've experienced all of these except TG and all better than QF.

I guess appeal of content is very subjective. What one may think is interesting, another might die of boredom watching.... I know the CEO of our company who is heaps older (40 ish) always struggles to find a movie he likes, where as I'm in heaven with all the latest blockbusters on demand

 

[drron]

I have found QF's entertainment system very consistent.3 international J legs in last 3 months and it hasnt worked once.The program looks great though.

 

[Yada Yada]

I guess appeal of content is very subjective. What one may think is interesting, another might die of boredom watching.... I know the CEO of our company who is heaps older (40 ish) always struggles to find a movie he likes, where as I'm in heaven with all the latest blockbusters on demand

Last night on my PER-SYD flight, the movie shown was "Poseidon". I must say I found this somewhat inappropriate, as did a few other pax who I could hear talking nearby. I though disaster movies were generally avoided by the airlines?

And it's not like you can stop kids from watching it on a dom flight where there are screens mounted on the overhead lockers etc. Glad my kids were not on board.

 

[serfty]

As far as AVOD goes; This year, it's been working for me 5 out of 5 longhaul and 4 out of 6 on SYD/MEL Sectors. So I guess I have been lucky.



(... looks furtively around for some wood to touch ...)

 

[simongr]

Last night on my PER-SYD flight, the movie shown was "Poseidon". I must say I found this somewhat inappropriate, as did a few other pax who I could hear talking nearby. I though disaster movies were generally avoided by the airlines?

And it's not like you can stop kids from watching it on a dom flight where there are screens mounted on the overhead lockers etc. Glad my kids were not on board.

I always wondered about that restriction. Is it for kids that the limit is there or just the overly sensitive types?