In-flight entertainment

In-Flight entertainment (IFE) refers to the entertainment available to aircraft passengers during a flight. After World War II IFE was delivered in the form of food and drink services, along with an occasional projector movie during lengthy flights. In 1985 the first personal audio player was offered to passengers, along with noise cancelling headphones in 1989 . During the 1990s the demand for better IFE was a major factor in the design of aircraft cabins. Before then, the most a passenger could expect was a movie projected on a screen at the front of a cabin, which could be heard via a headphone socket at his or her seat.

Manufacturers of IFE systems include Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Thales Group, Rockwell Collins and LiveTV. Design issues for IFE include system safety, cost efficiency, software reliability, hardware maintenance, and user compatibility.

History

The first in-flight movie was in 1921 on Aeromarine Airways showing a film called Howdy Chicago to its passengers as the amphibian airplane flew around Chicago. Twelve years later in 1932, the first in-flight television called 'media event' was shown on a Western Air Express Fokker F.10 aircraft.

However, it wasn't until the 1960s that in-flight entertainment was becoming mainstream and popular. In 1961, David Flexer of Inflight Motion Pictures developed the 16mm film system for a wide variety of commercial aircraft. This replaced the previous 30-inch-diameter film reels. It was also in the same year when the first ever feature film titled Love Possessed by MGM was shown on a regularly commercial airline flight.

In 1962, Pan American World Airways, then better known as Pan Am were the first airlines to use television monitors on its planes. The television monitors were installed in the first class section of the Lockheed L-10 Electra. However, to that date all forms of in-flight entertainment were only being shown on domestic flights. The first airline in the world to show in-flight movies on an international route was Pakistan International Airlines which was in the same year.

In 1963, AVID Airline Products developed and manufactured the first pneumatic headset used on-board the airlines and provided these early headsets to Trans World Airlines. These early systems consisted of in-seat audio that can be heard with hollow tube headphones. It wasn't until 1979 when pneumatic headsets were replaced by electronic headsets. The electronic headsets were initially available only on selected flights and premium cabins whereas economy class still had to do with the old pneumatic headsets.

In 1971, the United States Transportation Command developed the 8mm film cassette. Flight attendants could now change movies in-flight and add short subject programming.

In 1975, Braniff International Airways introduced Atari video games to be played on-board flights.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, CRT-based projectors began to appear on newer widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 767. Some airlines upgraded the old film IFE systems to the CRT-based systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s on some of their older widebodies. In 1985, Avicom introduced the first audio player system, based on the Philips Tape Cassette technology. Around the same time, CRT-based displays began to appear over the aisles of narrowbody and widebody aircraft. In 1988, the Airvision company introduced the first in-seat audio/video on-demand systems using 2.7 inch LCD technology for Northwest Airlines. The trials which was run by Northwest Airlines on its Boeing 747 fleet received overwhelming positive passenger reaction. As a result, this completely replaced the CRT technology.

Today, In-flight entertainment is offered as an option on almost all wide body aircraft, while some narrow body aircraft are not equipped with any form of In-flight entertainment at all. This is mainly due to the aircraft storage and weight limits. The Boeing 757 was the first narrow body aircraft to widely feature both audio and video In-flight entertainment and today it is rare to find a Boeing 757 without an In-flight entertainment system. Most Boeing 757s feature ceiling-mounted CRT screens, although some newer 757s may feature drop-down LCDs. Many Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737NG aircraft are also equipped with drop-down LCD screens. Some airlines, such as WestJet and Delta Air Lines, have equipped some narrow body aircraft with personal video screens at every seat. Others, such as Air Canada and JetBlue, have even equipped some regional jets with audio-video on demand (AVOD).

System safety and regulation

One major obstacle in creating an In-flight entertainment system is system safety. With the sometimes miles of wiring involved, voltage leaks and arcing become a problem. To contain any possible issues, the In-flight entertainment system is typically isolated from the aircraft's main systems. In the United States, in order for a company's product to be considered safe and reliable, it must be certified by the FAA and pass all of the applicable requirements found in the Federal Aviation Regulations. The concerning section, or title, dealing with the aviation industry and the electronic systems embedded in the aircraft, is CFR title 14 part 25. Contained inside Part 25 are rules relating to the aircraft's electronic system.

There are two major codes that regulate In-flight entertainment systems and their safety: code 1301 which approves the electronic equipment for installation and use, by assuring that the system in question is properly labeled, and that its design is appropriate to its intended function. Code 1309 states that the electrical equipment must not alter the safety or functionality of the aircraft upon the result of a failure. In order for the intended IFE system to pass this code, it must be independent from that of the aircraft's main power source and processor. By separating the power supplies and data links from that of the aircraft's performance processor, in the event of a failure the system is self sustained, and can not alter the functionality of the aircraft. Upon the completion of all applicable codes the In-flight entertainment system is up to standards for use in the United States, however the rules and regulations may be different when applying for use in other countries.

The 1998 Swissair Flight 111 crash is an example of an installation of an In-flight entertainment system that started an emergency. The MD-11's In-flight entertainment caught on fire, destroyed aircraft systems, and incapacitated the flight crew, causing the aircraft to crash into the Atlantic Ocean.

Cost efficiency

The companies involved are in a constant battle to cut costs of production, without cutting the systems quality and compatibility. Cutting production cost consists of anything from altering the housing for personal televisions, to reducing the amount of embedded software in the In-flight entertainment processor. Difficulties with cost are also present with the customers, or airlines, looking to purchase In-flight entertainment systems. Most In-flight entertainment systems are purchased by existing airlines as an upgrade package to an existing fleet of aircraft. This cost can be anywhere from $2 Million-$5 Million for seat back LCD monitors, with an embedded IFE system. Some of the IFE systems are being purchased already installed in a new aircraft, such as the Airbus A320, which eliminates the possibility of having upgrade difficulties. Some airlines are passing the cost directly into the customers ticket price, while some are charging a user fee based on an individual customers use. Some are also attempting to get a majority of the cost paid for by advertisements on, around, and in their IFE.

Software reliability

Software for In-flight entertainment systems must be aesthetically pleasing, reliable, compatible, and also must be user friendly. These restrictions account for expensive engineering of individually specific software. In-flight entertainment equipment is often touch screen sensitive, allowing interaction between each seat in the aircraft and the flight attendants, which is wireless in some systems. Along with a complete aircraft intranet to deal with, the software of the In-flight entertainment system must be reliable when communicating to and from the main In-flight entertainment processor. These additional requirements not only place an additional strain on the software engineers, but also on the price. Programming errors can slip through the testing phases of the software and cause problems.

Varieties of in-flight entertainment

Cabin music

Soft music is often piped through the PA system and is heard in the cabin upon boarding, disembarkation, taxiing and take-off of the aircraft. The music is often chosen to be pleasant and soothing, and exhibits characteristics similar to elevator music. In accord with the cabin music, some airlines are now installing music in the restrooms.

Cabin lighting

Some In-flight entertainment systems allow adjustment of the cabins LED overhead lighting system. Implemented through software, the lighting in the cabin can be adjusted through an array of colors. The lighting can also follow the cabin music. The first major implementation of cabin lighting is present in the new Virgin America Airbus A320s.

Audio entertainment

Audio entertainment covers music, as well as news, information and comedy. Most music channels are pre-recorded and feature their own DJs to provide chatter, song introductions and interviews with artists. In addition, there is sometimes a channel devoted to the plane's radio communications, allowing passengers to listen in on the pilot's in-flight conversations with other planes and ground stations.

In audio-video on demand (AVOD) systems, software such as MusicMatch is used to select music off the music server. Phillips Music Server is one of the most widely used servers running under Windows Media Center used to control AVOD systems.

This form of in-flight entertainment is experienced through headphones that are distributed to the passengers. The headphone plugs are usually only compatible with the audio socket on the passenger's armrest (and vice-versa), and some airlines may charge a small fee in order to obtain a pair. The headphones provided can also be used for the viewing of personal televisions.

In-flight entertainment systems have been made compatible with XM Satellite Radio, and also with iPods, allowing passengers to access their accounts, or bring their own music, along with offering libraries of full audio CD's from an assortment of artists.

Video entertainment

Video entertainment is provided via a large video screen at the front of a cabin section, as well as smaller monitors situated every few rows above the aisles. Sound is supplied via the same headphones distributed for audio entertainment.

However, personal televisions (PTVs) for every passenger are providing passengers with channels broadcasting new and classic films, as well as comedies, documentaries, children's shows and drama series. Some airlines also present news and current affairs programming, which are often pre-recorded and delivered in the early morning before flights commence.

PTVs are operated via an In flight Management System which stores pre-recorded channels on a central server, and streams them to PTV equipped seats during flight. AVOD systems store individual programs separately, allowing a passenger to have a specific program streamed to them privately, and be able to control the playback.

Some airlines also provide video games as part of the video entertainment system. For example, Singapore Airlines passengers on some flights have access to a number of Super Nintendo games as part of its KrisWorld entertainment system. Also Virgin America's new RED Entertainment System offers passengers internet gaming over a Linux-based operating system. RED also provides an open source gaming link, so passengers who are experienced in writing games can upload certain created games to the server.

In-flight movies

Regularly scheduled in flight movies began to premiere in 1961 on flights from New York to Los Angeles. Personal on-demand videos are stored in an aircraft main IFE computer system. From there they can be viewed on demand by the user. Along with the on-demand concept comes the ability for the user to pause, rewind, fast forward, or jump to any point in the movie. There are also the movies that are shown throughout the aircraft at one time, usually on a screen in the front of the cabin.

Personal televisions

Panasonic eFX system installed on a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800, branded by Delta as Delta on Demand

Most major airlines have now installed personal televisions (otherwise known as PTVs) for every passenger on most long-haul routes. These televisions are usually located in the seat-backs or tucked away in the armrests for front row seats and first class. Some show direct broadcast satellite television which enables passengers to view live TV broadcasts. Some airlines also offer video games using PTV equipment.

Audio-video on demand (AVOD) entertainment has also been introduced. This enables passengers to pause, rewind, fast-forward or stop a program that they have been watching. This is in contrast to older entertainment systems where no interactivity is provided for. AVOD also allows the passengers to choose among movies stored in the aircraft computer system.

It is rare to find new long-haul planes being delivered without PTVs except the McDonnell Douglas MD-11.

In addition to the personal televisions that are installed in the seatbacks, a new portable media player (PMP) revolution is under way. There are two types available: commercial off the shelf (COTS) based players, and proprietary players. PMPs can be handed out and collected by the cabin crew, or can be "semi-embedded" into the seatback or seat arm. In both of these scenarios, the PMP can pop in and out of an enclosure built into the seat, or an arm enclosure.

In-Flight Games

Video games are another important facet of In-Flight entertainment. DTI Software a Canadian company based in Montreal was the developer of the first games. In the years that followed several In-flight entertainment game companies appeared and disappeared eventually leaving DTI Software the world leader of In-flight entertainment games in 2008.

The first generation of In-flight entertainment hardware systems was geared towards Audio/Visual media. Due to these limitation the first generations of games contained little movement and animation. Typically classic card games as well as board games were the most suitable on these first systems. Taking the appeal of games into account, second generation IFE hardware was built with more emphasis on support games. The latest systems now incorporate hardware support for 3D graphics. The improved hardware help to reduce the gap between the games offered in the air and what you may find on the ground. Many games also take advantage of the native networked nature of IFE systems to provide multiplayer games. In addition to the typical head to head multiplayer mode other types of games are providing a tournament mode. This offers a multiplayer experience in which all the passengers can participate.

Later generations of IFE games began to shift focus from pure entertainment to learning while you play. The best example of this changing trend is Berlitz Word Traveler that allows passengers to learn a new language in their own language. Appearing as a mixture of lessons and mini games, passengers can learn the basics of a new language while being entertained. Many more learning applications continue to appear in the IFE market.

Technology used in IFE is continually renewed to bring new and needed features to passengers. Some examples include on-board connectivity and external USB data storage. Passengers will feel more and more at home as technologies appear allowing them to keep in touch with ground.

Moving-map systems

Simplified version of Airshow

A moving-map system is a real-time flight information video channel broadcast through PTVs and cabin video screens. In addition to displaying a map that illustrates the position and direction of the plane, the system gives altitude, airspeed, distance to destination, distance from origination and local time. Moving-map system information is derived from the aircraft's flight computer systems. It is often generically referred to as Airshow, one of the first moving-map systems now owned by Rockwell Collins. Panasonic Avionics Corporation now offers a similar product known as iXPLOR on their latest IFE systems. Honeywell also offers a similar product known as JetMap.

Data communication

IFE producers have begun to introduce Intranet type systems. Virgin America's RED Entertainment System allows for passengers to chat amongst one another, compete against each other in the provided games, talk to the flight attendants and request, and pay for in advance, food or drinks, and have full access to the internet and email.

In the Airbus A380 aircraft, data communication via satellite system will allow passengers to connect to live Internet from the individual IFE units or their laptops via the in-flight Wi-Fi access..

In-flight internet service is provided either through a satellite network or an air-to-ground network..

Systems

There are only a few complete IFE systems incorporating live data/TV and on-demand capabilities. Jet Blue's personal television with live audio and video, including XM radio and DirectTV is an example of one such system.. Air Canada also provides their passengers with PTV's accompanied by a pre-arranged selection of movies and video games that are rescheduled monthly.

There are six systems in the aviation industry that are billed as "next-generation", Singapore Airlines' KrisWorld, Emirates Airlines' ICE Entertainment, and RED entertainment system from Virgin America, Cathay Pacific Studio^CX eVU portable entertainment system and Malaysia Airlines' Select.

AVOD

AVOD is installed in certain Korean Air's B777-200ER and B747-400 in all classes. It will be installed in A330,A380,B787 and Other B777, B747-400

Language

The IFE includes support for Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean.

Multi People Games

The passenger can play some selected games with other passengers.

Studio^CX

AVOD

Avod is installed in Cathay Pacific's 777-300ER, 747-400, A340-300 and selected A330-300.

Multi People Games

The passenger can play some selected games with other passengers.

Language

The IFE includes support for Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Italian and some other languages.

KrisWorld

Audio, video, and games on demand

Installed in Singapore Airlines' new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Airbus A380, KrisWorld is an example of a next-generation IFE System. The system is based on the eX2 system from Panasonic Avionics Corporation. Boasting the highest resolution of any IFE at 1280 x 768 pixels, these personal LCD displays are in the seat back in front of the passenger. KrisWorld contains 80 on-demand movies for passenger viewing, a predetermined assortment of television shows, 12 music channels and 180 CD titles on demand. KrisWorld has also contracted with Nintendo to provide 91 Nintendo game titles for passenger use on demand.

KrisWorld Interactive

KrisWorld also includes Flight Path, an improvement on the existing moving map system present in most IFEs. KrisWorld also includes a feature dubbed Destination Info, an interactive guidebook for each of Singapore Airlines destination cities. Destination Info gives passengers access to street directions, restaurant guides, and local event listings for a particular day.

Live Text News is KrisWorld's in-flight news service. It updates via satellite once every hour, and includes content on the stock market, local news,sports, and weather.

Language tutorials

KrisWorld is also the first IFE system to introduce Berlitz World Traveler as a feature of their IFE. Berlitz World Traveler is a program that assists passengers in learning any one of 22 languages, providing access to tutorials and quizzes.

Select

Audio, video, and games on demand

Installed in Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 777-200ER aircraft , Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A330-300(business class only). Passengers can choose over 500 hours of audio and video programming. With 200 music CDs and 50 on-demand movies and television shows available, passengers can start, stop, forward and rewind their selected programme at will. A touch screen personal TV is available for First Class passengers and Golden Club Class (Business Class) on board Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Select 3000i is developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

Language tutorials

Select IFE system is eqquiped with Berlitz World Traveler as a feature of their IFE. Berlitz World Traveler is a program that assists passengers in learning any one of 22 languages, providing access to tutorials and quizzes.

ICE

Information

Operated by Emirates Airline, ICE is another example of a next-generation in-flight entertainment system. ICE (Information Communication Entertainment) is operating in all of Emirates Airline's Airbus A340-500, and all of Emirates Airline's Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777-200 fleet. The system is based on the 3000i system from Panasonic Avionics Corporation. ICE provides passengers with a direct data link to BBC News. ICE is the first IFE system to be connected directly to automatic news updates. This is complemented by ICE's Airshow moving-map software from Rockwell Collins. Along with this software comes ICE'se system of exterior cameras located on the aircraft. These cameras can be viewed by any passenger through the IFE system during takeoff and landing.

Communication

ICE also contains a link to an in-flight email server which allows passengers to access, send or receive emails for US $1 per message. Similar to KrisWorld, ICE also contains a seat-to-seat chat server.

Entertainment

Similar to KrisWorld, the entertainment system from Singapore Airlines, ICE allows passengers to choose from a library of movies, audio CDs, and video games. ICE offers over 130 on-demand movie titles and 15 video-on-demand channels, 60 prerecorded television channels, 350 audio channels, and around 50 video-game titles. ICE can also be accessed in 10 different languages including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and Japanese.

Virgin America's RED

Audio, video, and gaming

Released in summer of 2007, Virgin America's RED IFE system is installed in all of Virgin America's Airbus A320's. RED allows similar functions to KrisWorld's and ICE's IFE system. RED allows passengers to watch live TV, including 18 live TV channels provided by Dish Network. RED also provides 25 on-demand pay-per-view movies, over 2000 MP3 audio tracks, and more than 20 audio channels. Access is provided through a 9", 1024x768-pixel LCD touch screen monitor located in the seat back in front of each passenger. One of RED's characteristics is the passengers' ability to create play lists of movies and MP3s. RED is built upon a Linux platform, and Virgin America plans to use Linux' open source nature to port games for in-flight use.

RED Interactive

RED's controller is the first to provide a QWERTY keyboard. Another interactive feature of RED is that passengers can bring their own keyboard or mouse and use the provided USB port to use their own devices with the IFE system. Passengers can also directly order food and drinks from the flight attendants from the menu section of the IFE. All paid-for services such as movies and food can be paid for by the credit card reader located at the bottom of the IFE screen. RED also offers passengers full broadband access to chat, and instant message amongst passengers, along with having unrestricted access to the internet, and email.

DigEplayer

Alaska Airlines, which used to primarily fly shorter flight lengths, had a narrowbody fleet with little to no IFE systems aside from basic audio packages. As its operation expanded, it added IFE for its longer flights. The digEplayer, a portable digital media device is distributed as a standalone unit much like food and drinks are distributed. Several other airlines have adopted the digEplayer.

CINEINFLY

From the AV704 by ARCHOS, travellers will be able to choose among a large range of contents. Hours of programme already downloaded and ready to be seen include movies TV shows, and musics concerts, news, sports and Games. CineInfly is a French firm, a part of TF1 channel.

External links

• In Flight Wi-Fi
• World Airline Entertainment Association
• Code of Federal Regulations Title 14(Aeronautics and Space)