Dorian

Correct. Sorry if that was written in a way that proposed it was new information. Was just trying to show OP that it isn't all 'awesome'.

pprrff

Most United planes use Panasonic which I've always experienced much better performance than with Gogo, even with 2Ku.

montrealer

I'm sorta with with vernonc. Yes, there are times when not having internet during a long flight is annoying. But by and large in my work I find it helpful that people know I'm on planes a lot, and that on planes one is often disconnected. Therefore when I don't answer instantly, they assume that's quite likely the case, even if it's actually that I merely choose to parcel out my time and not answer every email within minutes if I'm doing something that requires real thought. So I'm not convinced that widespread wifi on longhaul flights will be all rainbows and ponies.

Dorian

I have two colleagues that will only travel on ULH flights on weekends due to lack of inflight connectivity out of YVR on most carriers. This makes their trips 'too long' by 1-3 days.

splicer100

Why can't the manufacturer offer to install the wifi system while building the planes? Is it that it would slow down production or they don't have contacts with the wifi producer to install the systems?

yyznomad

I'm not happy until Peever is happy.

Peever for king!

TravellingGypsy

Seriously? I’m no aircraft technician, but is it really cheaper to fly the airplane to the installers, instead of flying the installers to the airplane?

jaysona

Yes.

Diabeetus

It's not as simple as that time you asked the Geeksquad boy over to set up home wifi.

Jagboi

Do you take your car to the mechanic, or does the mechanic come to your house?

TravellingGypsy

Does your mechanic work >2,100km away from where you keep your car?

CZAMFlyer

Of course it's cheaper to fly the tech to the airplane. But then you have to fly the other couple dozen techs, all their tools, manuals, testing equipment, house and feed them for the duration and build them a hangar in which they can go about their install work.

Maybe that ferry flight isn't that expensive after all.

Being subjected to flights of any duration inside a 737 is a purely voluntary endeavour.

Stranger

I would think you mean in Y on an AC-configured one, no?

Arguably precisely what AC wants.

jaysona

You're forgetting about a few more things:

- No STC holder in Canada
- Work visa's that would be required for the techs - as there are no Canadian qualified techs.
- The techs would need to obtain TCCA AME certification
- Current AME's and their unions would be crying foul over bringing in foreign techs (if that were even permitted) instead of having local AME's trained and certified for the work.

Since this is a one-shot install, there is little financial reason for AC to go through the hassle, time and expense to obtain the STC and train their AME's for the Wi-Fi install that would never be done again.

There are reasons why AMO/MRO's specialize in certain types of STC work - it's cheaper to have these types of one-off STC work done my an AMO/MRO instead of by the operator maintenance organization.

Operator maintenance organizations are great for performing regular maintenance on their aircraft, AMO/MRO's are great for one-off and irregular specialized maintenance and STC activities.

Transpacificflyer

Depends upon the service requirement and the vehicle. I know of Rolls Royce and Bentley servicing that is done at the owner's location. CAA members can have a service vehicle come to them, and many auto manufacturers offer roadside assistance.


makes me ponder the cost. It isn't that long a flight is it? 3-4 hours at a fuel and staffing cost* of under $12,000 per hour. (* wages of 2 pilots, return airfare, lodging, meals). I expect the cost of ferrying is probably less than $80,000. Just my rough estimate. Must be sort of spooky, flying an empty wide body like that. No FA to give a cheerful howdy and offer a coffee or to advise that the SE in 1A is complaining again about the lack of coke to go with his rum and that he's going to hold his breath until he turns blue if they try to pass off President's Choice Cola "diet" cola as diet Coke.