LTV3 a step up?
Dec 6, 2008 | 10:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York City, NY
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, AAdvantage
Posts: 152
LTV3 a step up?
Saw this article on jetBlue's stock profile, it talks about an 80 Channel upgraded LiveTV system that offers an 8" personal screen for every passenger for Continental Airlines as opposed to the current B6 system with a 6.8" screen. Will jetBlue eventually offer an expanded channel lineup with this latest development?
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...0-channel.html
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...0-channel.html
Dec 7, 2008 | 9:46 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Trueblue, Skymiles, AAdvantage
Posts: 340
I believe B6 has passed for now on upgrading. The name of the game is cash, and they are trying to hold on to it now. LiveTV of course is benefiting by getting the new system on Continental's planes. Upgrading the planes would be very expensive, BUT the cost of flying with a lighter system might add up to fuel savings AND maybe upselling the premium channels.
Dec 7, 2008 | 2:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Island, NY and Boca Raton, FL
Programs: JetBlue TrueBlue, AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, Sky Miles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 2,275
Well, the fleet was recently upgraded with the newer wide screens (within last ~3 years) from the original screens on the early birds. However, the new lighter system may be attractive. JetBlue is in a great cash position for the industry, and they are always upgrading/refreshing the brand and experience. I would not be surprised to see the new system come online with newer E190/A320 deliveries in the near future. However, my guess is that it will be a slow upgrade to the already-existing fleet. Another option may be to keep the current 36 channels for free and add the others for a nominal fee (say $5 for a medium-length flight). Who knows...
Dec 9, 2008 | 9:40 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
Upgrading the system would require the fleet to go through a pretty major overhaul. The seats would all need to be replaced as well as the server equipment down in the avionics bay. Right now the company is focused on getting our finances in order and stabilizing our balance sheet before we under go such a retrofit. The new system has not been turned away, just put on the back burner.
Dec 9, 2008 | 9:44 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
Well, the fleet was recently upgraded with the newer wide screens (within last ~3 years) from the original screens on the early birds. However, the new lighter system may be attractive. JetBlue is in a great cash position for the industry, and they are always upgrading/refreshing the brand and experience. I would not be surprised to see the new system come online with newer E190/A320 deliveries in the near future. However, my guess is that it will be a slow upgrade to the already-existing fleet. Another option may be to keep the current 36 channels for free and add the others for a nominal fee (say $5 for a medium-length flight). Who knows...
Dec 9, 2008 | 3:08 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Island, NY and Boca Raton, FL
Programs: JetBlue TrueBlue, AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, Sky Miles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 2,275
The company has communicated to us that they do not want to charge anything for our core product brand. That includes snacks, drinks, seats, TVs and Radio. Everything that was free when we started will remain free (except pillows and blankets). Anything on top of that is going to be a small fee for the product. Premium Beverages, EML, and possibly BOB.