For most people, flying is never fun. There is the race to make it to the airport on time, lines to check in and to pass TSA, all just to find out you're stuck in the middle seat with a crying baby just a few rows away. Luckily, there's some in-flight entertainment on board to help kill the time as you wait to reach your destination.
The days when the only in-flight entainment was in those TV monitors located overhead are becoming obsolete. Those screens where you peer over the top of your seats are now only located on older and larger aircrafts. Of course, there are some planes that don't even offer these.
Younger and smaller aircraft, like those that belong to Virgin American and JetBlue, are known for featuring screens right on the back of passengers' seats.
And while Virgin America was known for featuring Red, its entertainment system that featured a 1024x600 pixel resolution 9-inch touch screen, with USB ports, power outlets, and custom Linux operating system, the airline has now stepped up its entertainment game by having its system run on Android.
Virgin America is now testing a beta version of Red that runs on Android. The entertainment system uses Panasonic's Eco V2 inflight system, with Android-based software, along with a 9- or 11-inch multitouch screen that allows passengers to play mobile games like Pac-Man and Asteroids and check out interactive maps. It also includes USB ports, audio jacks, and a credit card reader.
The choice for the airline to go to Android only makes sense since the system is familiar to users, and is easy to maintain and upgrade.
Virgin aircraft will also feature a new solid-state storage system that could store up to three times as much content, so that passengers can watch full seasons of shows like Orange is the New Black in HD at 720p. Passengers will be able to hear their favorite shows in surround sound, too, thanks to Dysonics, but it's only for selected content such as Game of Thrones.
So how do other airlines hold up in terms of in-flight entertainment?
While Virgin America seems to be the best with the new Android-based system, Emirates was awarded the top spot for best in-flight entertainment this year and last year.
Economy-class customers can watch video On Demand, with seat power and USB ports in new aircraft, along with outlets to charge devices. Wi-Fi is available on most aircraft so that passengers can text, email, and make calls.
But what makes Emirates the best is the Dubai-based airline's Information, Communication, Entertainment system, known as "ICE." The system lets passengers read the news, send emails, play games, and browse through more than 1,200 channels. Can't find a good movie? Simply watch live TV. Passengers can also track their flight or get a view of the skies using the aircraft's external cameras.
According to the J.D Power and Associates 2015 North American Airline Satisfaction Study, Alaska Airlines earned the most points — 719 to be exact — based on the study's seven criteria: costs and fees; in-flight services; boarding, deplaning and baggage; flight crew; aircraft; check-in; and reservations.
Delta Air Lines came in second place, followed by American Airlines.
"While passengers often choose airlines based on price, convenient scheduling, or loyalty program membership, about one in five choose airlines based on specific things they like about the brand such as customer service, in-flight entertainment, or more comfortable seating," J.D. Power's global travel and hospitality practice lead Rick Garlick told CNN.
Alaska Airlines features Alaska Beyond Entertainment, which allows passengers to watch premium movies and TV shows once the plane reaches 10,000 feet altitude, as well as free exclusive content from their personal Apple and Android devices with prices starting at $1.99. It's available on all Wi-Fi-enabled aircrafts, as long as they download the Gogo Video Player before takeoff.
Passengers on flights lasting longer than 3-1/2 hours can rent a tablet that includes more than 30 movies, 20 TV shows, music, XBox games, and a digital magazine, available to rent starting at $8.
Delta Air Lines offers what it calls "Delta Studio," which includes touch-screen in-seat monitors where passengers can choose from 300 hundred movies, thousands of games, over 2,500 songs, 18 live TV channels, as well as content on HBO and Showtime.
The airline also offers in-flight streaming straight to passenger's iPhone, iPad or Android devices, available through Delta Connect or the Fly Delta App players that must be downloaded before takeoff.
There is also Wi-Fi on more Delta domestic daily flights than any other airline, and movies also played on overhead screens.
American Airlines offers a streaming service that allows passengers to watch movies and TV shows from their own devices, along with free NBCUniversal programming.
The airline also features what it calls "American Spotlight," where passengers can browse through new releases, award-winning movies, TV series, games, and music. There are up to 150 movies available on domestic flights with more than 350 music and audio selections, and up to 20 games.
First and Business Class passengers on select flights are given a complimentary Samsung Galaxy Tab, along with Bose headphones.
It appears as though it's not enough for airlines to simply offer a few movies and Wi-Fi during their flights. People now more than ever are addicted to looking at screens to watch movies or TV shows, or play games, and it only makes sense that airlines would include these features to enhance the flying experience.
Photo: Virgin America
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