No more LIVE TV Install on Westjets new 800 (Rumor)

[jetsetfly]

Rumors are that the 737-800 being delivered with the new CFM 56-7B Engines this month will have no LIVE TV installed on it and possibly other deliveries in the future too will have no LIVE TV installed and Westjet is possibly looking into "WIFI" anyone else got any other info?

[jetsetfly]

Pretty stupid rumour to try to start; Seatback tvs are wildly popular with the proles and everyone knows it. Even Transat says they are putting them in (believe it when I see it).

The aircraft don't come from Boeing with tvs, they are installed by a third party.

What's so stupid about this rumour ??? and yes i know they don't come pre-installed from Boeing they are Installed by LIVE TV in Orlando Hence i used Live TV but with the new CRTC Rules they will have to look into something else and WIFI would be a good option and Also there is a rumour on Q400'S for Westjet to buy or look into i guess that's a stupid rumour too???

[stickontheice]

Not a stupid rumor at all. The last 800, I believe tail 816, was delivered and there aren't going to be tvs on it. We were told it was most likely going to do Hawaiis only. WJ is looking at wifi amongst other things but there's nothing imminiment.

[Rotten Apple #1]

From the rumor mill (internet),

...WestJet is looking to their IT department to develop a new GUEST (Guest Utility and Entertainment System Technique) that will include WiFi as well as a (dry) food dispensing capability. Tentatively named IROPoly for the industry term for flight delays, the IROPoly GUEST has the potential to be a significant revenue stream as it will be licensed for sale to other carriers and mass transportation enterprises once FAA/FCC certification is completed.

Personally, I'll believe it when I see it. But stranger things have happened I suppose. I can't believe they'll be able to put much more than snacks or crackers in the seat back.

[The Fish]

This rumor has teeth!!

Bell TV is what you watch on WestJet Aircraft.
Next year Bell TV is exclusively leasing a new satellite to broadcast its signal, the Nimiq 6, to be launched in mid 2012.
A look at the link below shows the coverage of said satellite, a large portion of WestJets route structure is NOT covered by this new satellite!

http://www.satbeams.com/satellites?id=2478

So I guess it comes down to if it's worth it to install these systems in aircraft that will rarely have a usable signal. Who knows how much a live TV install is worth. I certainly wouldn't pay to have an XM radio in my car if I could never or rarely use it. I'm sure no matter what there will be something introduced to cover the lost entertainment, fully functioning WiFi would be the cats behind in my opinion!!

Cheers

Fish

[gulfan]

Flight Attendant on a recent flight advised that WestJet was looking at revamping its inflight entertainment system.

[Donald]

Flight Attendant on a recent flight advised that WestJet was looking at revamping its inflight entertainment system.

Why wouldn't they? Their main competition (AC) has bigger screens with better content, even when it hasn't been updated for awhile as you always have the audio option to go with it.

The only time WJ's entertainment system is enjoyable, is when there are live sports events on, such as World Junior's, and even then you are subject to satellite availability.

[jjj]

Live TV has proven to be an unreliable product. It's the most frequent MEL in our fleet.

I'll bet any money that the contract will not be renewed.

Even when it's working - it's not that great. The older screens are too small, have lousy resolution and satellite reception is poor.

Our CEO has openly said that he believes the way forward is on board Wi-Fi.


Cheers.
JJJ

[culver10]

I wonder how much drag that huge bump on the top of the fuselage causes? As a WJ AME, they are a pain in the butt. I did enjoy watching Mythbusters on my last flight though.

[CanadaEH]

This is a fact not a rumour. 816 arrived today with no TV's and they will not be installed. The three -800's we are getting in 2012 will not have TV's installed, either.

Our next system will have wi-fi capability and we will be providing/adding something to these 4 -800's as an interim solution.

[jetsetfly]

This is a fact not a rumour. 816 arrived today with no TV's and they will not be installed. The three -800's we are getting in 2012 will not have TV's installed, either.

Our next system will have wi-fi capability and we will be providing/adding something to these 4 -800's as an interim solution.

816 is already flying has a 1000 hrs on it so far the new one is 817 picture below(link)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8M3q1Te3t8/T ... estJet.jpg

and i believe Westjet will go with ROW 44 Inflight Entertainment Platform.

[TheBigC]

About time they start to revamp their inflight. I know they are a "low-cost" carrier but for some of the prices they are charging lately I can see how our guests would want a better product, especially one that works. Hopefully they will include free movies this time!

[Jastapilot]

LiveTV has had YEARS to improve it's product, and it's as unreliable as it was on day one. I'm glad it's on the way out, and I'm excited as to the possibilities coming in 2012.

[BEFAN5]

My favorite feature on AC aircraft systems... The fact that they auto-pause what you are watching when the crew makes all of their announcements.

[twinpratts]

Our next system will have wi-fi capability

You positive about that?

[Go Guns]

If you were going to pick a new IFE system to install on your aircraft right now, would wifi not be on the top of your list of obvious inclusions?

[stickontheice]

With no ground infrastructure in place in Canada (Wifi antennas) and Satellite Wifi rates that are prohibitive it'll be awhile before a permanent wifi solution is in place for most carriers.

[Go Guns]

With no ground infrastructure in place in Canada (Wifi antennas) and Satellite Wifi rates that are prohibitive it'll be awhile before a permanent wifi solution is in place for most carriers.

SouthWest and JetBlue, two American low cost carriers, are both using satellite to deliver inflight wifi. Now, I am aware that Alaska gave up satellite based Row44 for the ground based Gogo network, citing costs as the reason. However, given that no ground based network exists in Canada, and if Gogo were to build one (It uses EVDO which is the older Bell/Telus network. Gotta wonder if they can tap into that), it would basically need to be subsidized by WestJet and Air Canada. Also, If WestJet were to choose a ground based system, it would continue to leave guests disappointed and bored on flights to Hawaii and the Caribbean, it doesn't seem to far fetched to think WestJet would go with a satellite system.

The other kicker with inflight wifi is that, while everyone wants it, nobody wants to pay for it. A couple articles I've read on the issue say that usage drops to around 10% as soon as passengers are charged to use it. So it seems like a large undertaking for such a small reward.

[Beach 200]

I would rather have wifi anyway. At least I can watch Netflix on the flight. Bigger selection and unedited. Or listen to streaming music, watch porn, you name it!

[jetsetfly]

just hand out IPADS(at a cost) with wifi installed on board

[Go Guns]

This blogger dude has a little sense of entitlement. Sounds like he thinks it's as easy to hook up wifi in an airplane as it is in a Starbucks. "We should have wifi at 35,000' and it should be free"

Flying between Chicago and Miami, passengers can send e-mail, order up a movie from iTunes or surf the web to help pass the time.

Take to the air between Calgary and Toronto and airlines aren't allowed to offer up a Wi-Fi option, limiting Canadian passengers to whatever entertainment they've brought with them, Air Canada's video selection or WestJet's live TV.

While Wi-Fi is now available on about a third of all planes flying in the U.S., Transport Canada prohibits its use on aircraft in Canadian airspace.

"It seems a bit absurd you can't get connectivity," says Jay Palter, a social media consultant based in Edmonton, who had an unproductive day recently while off-line during a flight to Montreal. "The whole issue of Wi-Fi is a really important business issue to me.

"Making Wi-Fi available to customers, on a free basis preferably, is really smart for business."

Transport Canada is looking at the possibility of changing its rules, and has allowed Air Canada to put Wi-Fi on two of its planes flying between Montreal or Toronto and Los Angeles, providing an opportunity to test safety conditions around its use.

Air Canada could also use those planes on other longhaul routes in U.S. airspace.

However, there is no timeline for the length of the trial, which Transport Canada is using to "assess potential regulatory change," or on a decision.

Karl Moore, an associate professor at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, said the introduction of Wi-Fi is another way for airlines to raise revenue.

"You see U.S. airlines looking to make money, charging for luggage, drinks, meals, Wi-Fi," he said. "They're trying to get as much revenue as they can from you."

He pointed out that Wi-Fi could especially appeal to business travellers, able to get work done in what could normally be dead time.

Palter says with a job that requires him be online, he now chooses his coffee shop or hotel based on whether Wi-Fi is available, and the same would apply to an airline.

"It seems to me that at this particular time, it's one of the issues that's a determinant," he added.

An Air Canada spokeswoman, Angela Mah, said passengers on the two trial planes, who are charged about $10 to access Wi-Fi on those flights, are reporting "high levels of satisfaction."

"We will evaluate future needs taking into account the continued rapid advances in this technology and expect to make a final decision in due course," she said in an e-mail.

WestJet, which has been trying to take a bigger share of the corporate travel market, says it's looking at the technology, but has no plans to move on it "at this point."

In an e-mail statement, Transport Canada said that during the trial "Air Canada is required to provide crew members with training on the emergency and safety procedures associated with the use of transmitting portable devices that use Wi-Fi. They must also implement safety procedures to inform passengers when the uses of this technology are permitted."

Airlines have to make sure flight operations aren't affected by "transmitting portable electronic devices," it added. "For example, the crew may request that passengers turn off their devices for passenger briefings. The procedures must inform passengers of permissible times and conditions for using (the devices). If interference from a (device) is suspected, Air Canada must prohibit the use of the device right away and submit a report to Transport Canada."

Different devices may use different frequencies, so any impact is more difficult to assess, Transport Canada said.

kguttormson@ calgaryherald.com

[Realitychex]

Technology has dramatically changed since LiveTV was originally contemplated for WJ in 2003. As proof of this, consider how many computers you've bought since then and how much unused, former state of the art tech equipment you have gathering dust in your basement.

We've all seen technology change dramatically over the past 5 years, let alone almost a decade. Even for home entertainment, good quality equipment is all IP based. Components that cost $100k only five years ago can be had for half the price with twice the capability.

It is not at all surprising to hear that LiveTV's shelf life is coming to an end. It was never designed to last for ever. I'm sure it, like terrestial systems, will be replaced with an IP based system as time marches on.

Ask 100 airline customers if they want wi fi on board and 95% will say yes. Ask the same group if they'll pay the $10 or so it costs to provide such service and the enthusiasm drops faster than a whore's drawers on payday.

Wi-fi take up on US flights at the full cost of providing the service has been shockingly low. With margins already razor thin, it's likely hard to make an economic case to provide "free wi-fi" on aircraft, on either side of the border, other than for hyper premium paying customers.

[twinpratts]

"I want stuff. LOTS OF STUFF. (but I don't want to pay for it..."

[ravensrule]

I just flew on AA from yyz-lax and had free wifi access to Facebook. It got kind of old after I checked it two or three times in an hour, but still great it was free!

[Lowjack]

I watched as a buddy posted status updates and took pictures of the airshow on his LH flight from FRA-YYC a couple of weeks ago. Seems like a pretty neat system, but then again I sure treasure those few hours of being "offline" from the world.