Onboard life has changed dramatically with Internet, LED and wireless cellular technology delivering what passengers increasingly expect—the same level of connectivity, comfort and entertainment at 30,000 feet as they have in their homes.
Over the years, an airline flight came to be seen by many travelers, especially business passengers, as a reprieve from the constant communications that have become a common part of modern life. In a sense, the aircraft itself also was on a communications reprieve. While pilots and radar kept planes in contact with ATC, information about the aircraft’s condition and precise navigation was usually not available while a flight was in the air.
Transaero Airlines is acquiring Rockwell Collins PAVES high definition media server (HDMS) and entertainment control panel (ECP) for retrofit on eight Boeing 767s.
JetBlue Airways and ViaSat on Thursday signed an MOU to equip the carrier's fleet of more than 160 Embraer 190s and A320s with an inflight broadband product they called "the first of its kind" in commercial aviation. The two parties intend to sign a definitive agreement by the end of the year.
Aircell struck deals with Air Canada and Delta Air Lines recently to provide its Gogo Internet service, which allows passengers to use Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs throughout flights. In September, Air Canada signed an agreement with Aircell to roll out its Gogo system on select flights next spring. The carrier plans to begin installing the system on A319s flying to the US and eventually on aircraft covering its North American and international markets.
Boeing has been forced to drop its plans for a wireless IFE system on the 787 after it was found that regulatory issues would preclude the system's being activated over certain countries. Problems also were encountered with bandwidth limitations in some areas as well as weight. The silver lining is that the change will save 150 lb. In October Boeing acknowledged some problems with the 787's weight and delivery schedule ( ATWOnline, Oct. 26, 2006), forcing it to raise R&D spending to support suppliers.
