Helsinki Flyer

Finnair is trialing this:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/finnair-to-d...eens-for-ipads

SPBanker

Interesting, I didn't know they are already trying (sorta) this on HEL-HKG flights. I wonder how many iPads they have to lend? And what kind of entertainment is loaded in them?

"Finnair is already trialling a service under which business class passengers flying from Helsinki to Hong Kong can borrow an iPad in the lounge at Helsinki and take it on board their flight to Hong Kong."

JDiver

At least a few airlines seem to be taking this direction. American Airlines has announced they will be issuing Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet computers to premium passengers on certain routes (notably 757s and 767s currently using Archos 704 PED / personal entertainment media players).

mkgrip

Sounds like a good idea, and I think a lot of airlines are going to go with something similar in the future. According to Wikipedia (yes, not the most reliable source in the world, but matches what I've heard from other sources) an PTV-IFE system costs something between 2 and 5 million USD per plane. Even at retail prices (which AY would not pay for sure) that 2 million buys 4 000 iPads.
Also maintenance is a lot easier for devices that can be easily taken out instead of making the plane wait while a mechanic changes or fixes a faulty component on the fixed IFE.
It just a sad fact that if something is made for a plane, it costs at least 10 times what a similar product would otherwise cost.
If they have a nice wireless feed of content and a possibility to charge the device conveniently at your seat + a decent stand then why not?

Courmisch

Digging an ancient topic...

I got to try the inflight Samsung fondleslab for free in (point-upgraded) J on a very quiet A32B ex-LHR (48 Y's, 4 J's by hand counting). I wonder if it is supposed to be included in J fare or if paying Y customers get priority...

But in any case, it is really crap. I had not seen such horrible video encoding quality in a looong time. It reminded me of YouTube or DailyMotion in the previous decade, or watching the 4Sport TV channel in a bar, with digital blocking artifacts, stutter and all. Furthermore, both audio and video content seems to be a subset of the L/H content. And of course the headset is the same easily broken cheapware as for the L/H IFE in Y.

So save your 10€ if you get the "chance".

intuition

interesting. One of the arguments in favour of tabs was that it would be easier and cheaper to keep up with technical advances. Maybe the major problem is not video capability but storage; they need to compress the media extremely to fit even a few program on limited memory space.