Howdy, all! Just back from a five (5) day business venture in Toronto. Beautiful city whose pulse and ideology reminds me of both Berkeley and San Francisco. On last night's flight home [A319 or A320], I was treated to the coolest thing since Channel 9....a GPS map on the video screen. This puppy showed exactly where we were in both absolute and relative terms. It also provided altitude, speed, estimated time of arrival and even the velocity of the head wind into which we were flying. It was simply outstanding! This was my first trip with AC [also the first stamp in my passport]. I was very impressed. Good service with an additional flight crew member. The only problem was that the announcements were twice as long due to the use of both English and French. Have a day and a half to do laundry and prepare for three (3) day visit to Cabo. Today I feel more like Mr. NAFTA rather than afrugal1...Canada, US and Mexico all in the same week.

We stand on guard for thee.

Happy Trails!

This product is called airshow but I have not seen it used on any domestic airline flight usually it is only shown on international flights....at least that is
what my experience has been....although they
did show it on my AC flt from yvr-jfk also.

I saw it a few years ago on a CP flight YYZ YVR, but that was on the domestic leg of YYZ HKG. I agree it was pretty neat.

MC

[This message has been edited by mcott (edited 09-25-2002).]

I think it's only AC's A-319's, A-330's, A-340's, 744's, & a few of the ex-CP 763's that have Airshow. Does anyone know if the A-321's do too?

Very occasionally, a YVR-YYZ flight (340 or 330) will show it in Y when the film isn't showing. I always ask for it, but sometimes the Jr. F/A's have no idea what I'm talkig about... as "Airshow".

The old Cdn737 they used to fly YEG-LAX-YEG had it as I recall.

[This message has been edited by PunishedEdmontonian (edited 09-25-2002).]

Airshow is a terrific feature and sadly, it would appear that only incharges with int'l experience know how to work it (especially on YVR-YYZ) on those aircraft equipped with it. The A330 in particular has a very "sensitive" system and it is usually an uphill battle just to get the J in seat screen offerings working without crashing the whole system. One FA admitted to me that they have received NO training on the newer systems and heard that ICs received only a cursory overview. Once again, it is the frontline employees who bear the brunt of inadequate training.

Another interesting note is that Airshow (like most software packages) has several versions with the newest now on the A321s coming into service. The difference is great with 3D forward views over topographical maps of the aircrafts position. Quite hypnotic to watch on a long flight! Too bad AC hasn't bothered to either upgrade the older systems and more importantly take the time to at least "brand" the system with their logo!
CP had a really great feature (still works on CPmetal 747-400s) which welcomes passengers on board at the gate in several different languages and then the moment wheels touch down thanks everyone in several different languages! The folks at CP back then really knew how to do "the details" and this one does not cost big $$.

As a dissenting voice I must say that I can't stand airshow - just reminds me how slowly the flight is progressing and how much time I'm wasting away from my family sitting on a plane. But I'm naturally miserable.

Hey, Tractor Boy. I guess my glass is just half (1/2) full. After five (5) days in Toronto not only did I miss my family, but my 6 year old black lab [Thor] as well. To me, airshow provided a means by which I could chronical how soon I would get home.

Happy Trails!

Airshow is on other airlines too from Lufty to JetBlue.

I will watch that all the way and forgo the movies. I have even seen it used from YVR to YYC.

Watch the Outside Temperature vary as you cross the Atlantic and cross reference with the ground speed. The warmer the air the greater the airspeed and thus generally a better groundspeed also. You can sometimes also see the Altitude vary as the aircraft moves up or down to avoid strong headwinds or gain a better tailwind.

Indeed exAC...Me too! I will forgo sleep on Int'l flights, just to watch Airshow. IMHO it is THE best addition to aircraft since the engine was added in 1903!

I think that upgrades to the original programs are more than software as the newer machines seem to have more parameters. The originals give just wind speed, but not if it is headwind, tailwind, or component. But the software has been changed as there don't seem to be all of the references to Native Indian reservations anymore.

If you are on a polar route over Hudsons Bay watch the outside temperature drop up to 10deg C while over the bay.

Forget the 3D view!!!

While I'm sure other airlines have it as well, Saudia (SV) has cameras mounted in the belly of some of their planes, and can choose one of several different views on the multi channel IFE system. Too bad they turn it off for takeoff and landing.

Actually I have been on Austrian an Japan Airlines flights who kept the camera on for take-off and landing. I love that. Austrian even provided a choice between 2 camera feed.

Now that we can no longer spend time in the jump seat it is a feature much more appreciated than before.

On my last 2 flight to YVR (using A330) they were showing Airshow as a default screen when there was nothing else running.

Airshow is certainly a favorite for me.

Jral
I was on an A321 last week between YYZ/YHZ.
The "airshow" was showing on the screens after the news.

Thanks to everyone for the really cool comments.