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Living Room Luxuries, in the Air

Friday, January 18, 2008

Airlines are taking a closer look at the entertainment options they provide passengers -- from new music systems with iPod connectivity to satellite radio to other on-demand programming. Some features even apply to coach. Guests include Mary Kirby, senior editor of Flight International magazine and proprietor of the Runway Girl blog. Also joining us is Jon Zellner, the Senior Vice President of Music Programming at XM Satellite Radio, which provides in-flight programming for several major air carriers.

Guests:

Mary Kirby and Jon Zellner

Comments [13]

Andrew from NJ

This is an important segment for me as my company makes IFE equipment. Glad to hear so many people enjoy it!

Feb. 06 2008 04:13 PM
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Sam Tilden Goofus from Rockland County NY, just north of town

Instead of improving the listening aura on those speedy bullets that would plummet out of the sky anytime an engine failed, how about providing a more relaxed mode of transportation for the traveler?
Give me a dirigible! A 'steam powered aereoplane' that John Hartford sang about, a deck chair supported by balloons and controlled by BB gun....
I would so much love to wander out to the after deck with my chromatic harmonica and practice, or listen to the traveling barbershop quartet. No worries, we could run out of gas and float over both poles entertaining ourselves while laughing at the silly skyjackers with their plastic knives.

Seriously, the current system of cram, crunch, jump and run, let's hope this crate gets airborne and nothing is in the way.... just don't cut it. If any in flight entertainment is provided, it should be only available at the terminal. Bring it, hear or view it, keep it as a souvenir.

Give me a floating platform and a week to get from New York to Chicago, I will arrive fresh and confident, all read up on my business, and have made 30 new friends!
Suggestion: Dump the fuel eating jet planes!

Jan. 18 2008 02:55 PM
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frank from manhattan

i was on one of the famous valentines day massacre Jet Blue flights last year. My flight was packed and stuck for 7 hours on the ground at Kennedy. ...and no one on my plane became vocal or flipped their lid. Apart from Jet Blue's informative open-door pilot and the decent leg-room, the entertainment system kept everyone sane. If I had been stuck on an american air flight, I'd have gone berserk.

Jan. 18 2008 02:34 PM
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Eric from Manhattan

It should also be pointed out that this whole segment is basically an advertisement for XM.

Jan. 18 2008 02:32 PM
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John Hahn from NJ

If you are busy being distracted by music or movies then you may not mind the flight delays and other inflight problems.
When Delta had Song airlines we chose Song because of inflight TV which keep both young children entertained.

I agree with the Virgin comment. We flew Virgin because they take care of the many hours a flight to UK takes. They get cutomer care.

Jan. 18 2008 02:29 PM
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Music Lover from NJ

The UK carriers don't censor movies, and have a much greater range of movies, TV shows, on-demand albums etc. Virgin really rocks in this respect. Oh - the attendants are more friendly, too!

Jan. 18 2008 02:28 PM
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bn from bklyn

Wow, Soundcheck. Nice whore-ish shilling for XMRadio. How much payola did you get for that naked plug?

Jan. 18 2008 02:20 PM
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D Jamie Prince from manhattan

I fly only Virgin Atlantic to London because they have back-of-the-seat screens - I love watching t.v. (which I rarely do at home) or movies this way. My last trip I go to watch a BBC program that is not shown in the US - it was great!

Entertainment is more important to me than the food on an airplane -

Jan. 18 2008 02:17 PM
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Alie from Manhattan

Why is it that our society needs to be constantly entertained? I personally think airlines should be spending their time and energy in efforts to prevent the perpetual flight delays instead of contributing the the technological brainwashing of this generation. I am 26 year old woman who is tired of technology. Can't people just read, or meditate?

Jan. 18 2008 02:17 PM
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judy from NYC

If the airline offered WNYC that would be worth flying with them.

Jan. 18 2008 02:16 PM
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judy from NYC

Being able to plug in my laptop would almost make air travel bearable, and I would choose an airline for that.

I don't need to plug in the ipod. The battery lasts long enough.

Jan. 18 2008 02:15 PM
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Eric from Manhattan

maybe the airlines should focus on getting flights on time rather than investing in things that people dont care about. people want an on time flight, not an ipod charger.

Jan. 18 2008 02:15 PM
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jill from new york

I do take into consideration the in-flight entertainment when booking a flight. I always choose JetBlue when I can, because I know I will have access to TV. It makes a flight so much more pleasant and makes the time go faster. There have been times when the plane lands right before a show ends, and I don't want to get off the plane because I want to see the end of the program!

I also imagine that the in-flight crew prefers having in flight TV, etc, as it keeps the passengers entertained and happy.

Jan. 18 2008 02:14 PM
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