Not exactly. The company still licenses the streaming media from the studios.

Actually it is still in the old livery, it is there for paint.

Guessing s/he meant free to passengers?

1 Boeing 747-422 N104UA 8404 1998 747 LIE FLAT 12F / 52BF / 70E+ / 240Y AVOD/OVER YES Maybe NO GLOBE AMA 12/11 - Presume Paint

I thought this meant the CO Globe...right?

:o

Probably.

Just got off flight 862. Did not hear or read anything on boar about wi fi availability.

It really is an intelligent idea. A further "unbundling" allowing for something to be considered a new feature that you pay extra for, while at the same time saving $$$ in infrastructure. I'm not so sure that wiring a plane for 110v is a trivial undertaking though.

And if we really want to make the cabin laptop & tablet friendly, how about trays that have a cup holder that slides out to the side? Something recessed that holds your drink securely, so there's less danger of spilling on your equipment and more room? Easier to do with tapered cups than cans of soda though (since you'd need a "bottom").

It is only on one plane, not formally in production and that plane isn't flying right now as it is in the paint shop. No real surprise that you didn't hear or read anything about it.

This isn't specific to 862. It's one specific aircraft. Even if that aircraft hadn't gone to AMA it's impossible for it to operate flight 862 2 days in a row.

They are explicitly saying that it's something you *don't* pay extra for though (wireless streaming of IFE, that is). And that level of 'unbundling' isn't new, it's just a different delivery mechanism. Prior to the merger UA tried a (failed) experiment of charging for some of the IFE on its 777s. To this day, UA charges for DirecTV.

It definitely does save the expense and weight of LCD screens at every seat, which is a significant number.

Not to mention the fact that several million dollars (i'd probably peg it somewhere at $3-4 mil) x twenty something frames for a very extensive cabin mod on a frame that is anywhere from 12-24 years old and bound for a new iteration with a different owner/operator (my speculation) in the next decade probably doesn't make sense from an ROI perspective, especially with the way consumer electronics are progressing.

We're likely using UA to fly to SYD/MEL in September (not sure ex-LAX or SFO yet, likely the former) so I hope the plan is to launch these services in the Australia route 744s also. That's a long time in a tin can without some entertainment and connectivity.

I can live without IFE to be honest, but if I have a power port and data connectivity, I can kill the time just fine on my own. I can bring my own video/audio content (and have the power for the battery to survive the journey) and I can go online when I'm bored. Never flown this far (YYC-LHR is my record) so I'm sure I will be very bored at times. :)

I think the focus here is all 744s -- during the UADo/SMD4, Smisek was fully aware of the lack of entertainment options on the 744s (since they are long haul routes) and seemed to want to implement WiFi there ASAP.

The power issue, i'm not so sure about. I hope they address that as well but that maybe an issue that won't be addressed anytime soon (if ever) as that involves seats to be replaced/modified.

What don't you like about wifi media access?

Oh no! Will I have to buy one of those car seat mounts for my iPad?

Yes, and the complexity of the in-seat controls with hardwired connections to the hardware under the seat in front of you plus mounting of the display/touch sensitive screen. Maintenance of said units, etc.

I can always pick up another 9-cell battery for my netbook. That would give me a total of about 12-14 hours of usage.

The connectivity is the thing I want the most, but power would certainly be nice.

Thanks for the info!

Well, the company has indicated that they are going to put power in. And the in-flight amenities tab says it is coming. I'd say that's a pretty good indication that it will happen.