VPort being rolled out across the fleet?

While reading about the new PE improvements I came across this statement:

On the plane you can settle into your seat's 38 inches of seat pitch to read your complimentary newspaper. You'll also find a seatback TV offering entertainment, from the latest blockbuster movies to the hottest TV shows and up to 14 audio channels ranging from pop to classical. We're rolling out video on demand across the fleet, which allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward.

Does this mean they're rolling out Vport? Could this be as a result of extending the leases on the 747s because of the 380 delays? Either way that's got to be good news.

Miopyk

Its said that for ages. If V:PORT was going to be fitted out on the whole fleet, it should hit VFLYER first. I can see your point about the extended leases and with BA saying there gonna fit there whole fleet of long haul out in just over a year VS surely have got to act soon. But still, 2 mil is a lot, but we all know very well SRB can afford the fit the remaing 13 non V:PORT a/c.

Cheers
VFLY

MODS: Wrong forum?

[Nottingham Nick]

No timescale mentioned for rolling out the AVOD, though. [:w]

It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction when BA finally get their act into gear, and introduce AVOD to their Y cabins.

Nick

[mitchja]

I wouldn't get too excited as on the email I've just received about the new PE it states something slightly different:

On the plane you can settle into your seat's 38 inches of seat pitch to read your complimentary newspaper. You'll also find a seatback TV offering entertainment, from the latest blockbuster movies to the hottest TV shows and up to 14 audio channels ranging from pop to classical. Video on demand is already available on over half our fleet and allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward the action

Regards

[Neil]

The emailed info I got from VS says the same as James'. As has been discussed on here many a time before, whilst we can all live in hope for V-Port to be on the LGW/MAN a/c and the A343's realistically it isn't going to happen, if VS were serious about a full roll-out then it would of started by now but its only the new a/c that are getting V-Port, so until a/c retire from the fleet it looks like Nova/Odyseey are here to stay!

Neil:)

BA may well force VS's hand on this one - I can see VS refitting the Alitalia 744's that are LGW based because they are still only 5 years old. These must be planned to be in the fleet for at least the next 4-5 years minimum. BA are going to be offering VOD on their B+S routes within 12-18 months time.

As for the A343 - Would seem like a waste of money given the average age of the metal....

If BA do it before VS do it will put them in front.

Its well over due to be honest. Nova is terrible. Waste of money when nova was upgraded. They should have just installed V:PORT there and then!

Cheers
VFLY

Just to clarify the BA avod roll out...was talking to an old friend recently who works for BA,he told me than not all of the longhaul fleet will be fitted.
The avod is an "upgrade" to the existing Rockwell Collins system that is already fitted on all the 747s,all the 767s and a little over half of the 777s.I can't remember the exact number....but around 18 or 19 of the 40 something 777s (the first ones they took delivery of) are fitted with some sort of Marconi system which is very basic (I know because I have flown on some of them!)and this is prohibitively expensive to change.Something to do with the way the aircraft are wired etc,etc....but it would mean gutting the things and starting again,which they are not prepared to do.
The existing system on the Rockwell aircraft are only having the sortware upgraded...no new screens, or bigger screens,even in First and Club.He did say though,it was a very good system and competitive with the competition...although I still think it will be a little short of V-Port..imho

They have been testing it on a few 767s for the past couple of months and it seems to have passed all the tests and ticked all the boxes,so the roll out is under way.The upgrade will take place as each aircraft goes in to have the new Club seats fitted.

In summary then.....if you are flying a route serviced by a 777,you will have a slightly better than 50/50 chance of avod.And if you are flying from LGW..all the fleet there are 777 so the ratio would be about the same as VS as to whether you get decent IFE or not.

I would guess someone in VS will know this and the Nova will probably stay as it it comparable perhaps with the older BA IFE....and Oddysey is certainly superior to that.
Hope this has helped clear up a few things...this has come from someone "in the know"
All the best.

TBH, I can't see VS rolling out AVOD across the fleet anytime soon - not a lot has happened with that lately - nothing has been refitted for ages AFAIK.

VS.

Originally posted by Angus Y
I can't remember the exact number....but around 18 or 19 of the 40 something 777s (the first ones they took delivery of) are fitted with some sort of Marconi system which is very basic (I know because I have flown on some of them!)and this is prohibitively expensive to change.

IIRC these aircraft are the GE powered versions, which are mainly based at LGW - although some are also at LHR.

Originally posted by Angus Y
The avod is an "upgrade" to the existing Rockwell Collins system that is already fitted on all the 747s,all the 767s and a little over half of the 777s.

That makes sense - you can see on the current BA IFE that the screens are touch sensitive, even though this isn't activated on the OMNIA config.

Originally posted by Angus Y
In summary then.....if you are flying a route serviced by a 777,you will have a slightly better than 50/50 chance of avod.And if you are flying from LGW..all the fleet there are 777 so the ratio would be about the same as VS as to whether you get decent IFE or not.

I think all LGW 777 ops are GE powered, so will have the old (non AVOD) IFE.


ISTBC on all the above!

Just recived an email from FC regarding the new PE. Here is a bit which may be giving us a hint:
You'll also find a seatback TV offering entertainment, from the latest blockbuster movies to the hottest TV shows and up to 14 audio channels ranging from pop to classical. We're rolling out video on demand across the fleet, which allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward.

VFLY

25 of the B-A 777's will be fitted with TES
the other 20 777's will remain untouched.

wayne:)

Originally posted by Angus Y
Just to clarify the BA avod roll out...was talking to an old friend recently who works for BA,he told me than not all of the longhaul fleet will be fitted.
The avod is an "upgrade" to the existing Rockwell Collins system that is already fitted on all the 747s,all the 767s and a little over half of the 777s.I can't remember the exact number....but around 18 or 19 of the 40 something 777s (the first ones they took delivery of) are fitted with some sort of Marconi system which is very basic (I know because I have flown on some of them!)and this is prohibitively expensive to change.Something to do with the way the aircraft are wired etc,etc....but it would mean gutting the things and starting again,which they are not prepared to do.
The existing system on the Rockwell aircraft are only having the sortware upgraded...no new screens, or bigger screens,even in First and Club.He did say though,it was a very good system and competitive with the competition...although I still think it will be a little short of V-Port..imho

They have been testing it on a few 767s for the past couple of months and it seems to have passed all the tests and ticked all the boxes,so the roll out is under way.The upgrade will take place as each aircraft goes in to have the new Club seats fitted.

In summary then.....if you are flying a route serviced by a 777,you will have a slightly better than 50/50 chance of avod.And if you are flying from LGW..all the fleet there are 777 so the ratio would be about the same as VS as to whether you get decent IFE or not.

I would guess someone in VS will know this and the Nova will probably stay as it it comparable perhaps with the older BA IFE....and Oddysey is certainly superior to that.
Hope this has helped clear up a few things...this has come from someone "in the know"
All the best.