29 March 2012 – “Technology can be offered as a perk, for example providing passengers in Business with free tablets,” Raymond Kollau says. 
22 March 2012 – “Passengers can look forward to a far more personalized experience in the future,” says airlinetrends.com’s Raymond Kollau. 
3 Feb. 2012 – “The concept makes perfect sense as people like to surround themselves with like-minded persons,” said Raymond Kollau. 
24 July 2011 – No major U.S. carrier offers free food on domestic flights anymore, says Raymond Kollau. 
4 May 2011 – “This is an example of experiential marketing,” Raymond Kollau said. 
10 March 2011 – “This is a novel way to pass some of the risk in fuel cost to customers,” Raymond Kollau said. 
Jetstar first airline to test iPad as in-flight entertainment device
2 June 2010 | Last week we reported on Bluebox Avionics, who has turned the iPad into an in-flight entertainment device. The first airline to test the ‘bluebox ai’ is Jetstar, the low-cost subsidiary of Qantas. The carrier has just announced it will offer iPads for rent on select domestic routes in a two-week trial later this month.
Passengers can rent an iPad for AUD10 (USD8.50, EUR7.00) for the duration of their flight, and watch new release movies, tv programs, and music videos, play game, read eBooks, or listen to music. Jetstar is also looking to add its in-flight magazine to the tablets. Internet browsing will be disabled as Jetstar does not offer in-flight Wi-Fi. The carrier says it has bought several hundred iPad devices, and thirty units will be available on each test aircraft.
Based on demand for the iPads as part of the trial, Jetstar will be looking to roll out the devices across its entire domestic and international network later in 2010. Says Jetstar marketing manager David May, “If the trial works, we want to put them on every aircraft because they’re so much slimmer and lighter than our existing units.” Jetstar passengers currently pay A$10 to rent a portable media player on board with limited entertainment options on short-haul flights, or A$15 for a full selection of entertainment on long-haul services.
Related articles: Apple’s iPad to be turned into in-flight entertainment device – Aircell’s Gogo to introduce wireless in-flight video service
About Raymond KollauFounder of airlinetrends.com. Spends his day monitoring the global aviation industry for commercial innovations in response to changing consumer behaviour. Besides working with clients in the airline industry, Raymond also has a part-time position as consumer trends analyst at leading consumer trends agency trendwatching.com.
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