Jetstar to offer iPads in-flight

 

Two-week trial commences this month.

Jetstar has announced plans to offer iPads to entertain passengers on domestic flights over 90 minutes in length.

In a two-week-long trial that commences later this month, Jetstar will charge passengers $10 to rent an iPad loaded with movies, TV programs, eBooks, music videos, games and CDs.

A Jetstar spokesman told iTnews that the low-cost Qantas subsidiary has been in discussions with Apple since its initial iPad announcement in January.

"We have been in touch with Apple since they announced the iPad in the US," she said. "We have purchased several hundred iPads as part of the trial."

Jetstar has engaged Australian in-flight entertainment service provider Stellar Inflight and UK-based Bluebox Avionics to develop custom software for the iPad.

Bluebox Avionics first announced the availability of its 'bluebox Ai' on the iPad in April. Jetstar claims to be the first airline to announce a trial of the technology.

Should the trial be successful, Jetstar will deploy iPads for in-flight entertainment on all its domestic and international services.

Stellar Inflight has declined to comment on the partnership and technology.


Jetstar to offer iPads in-flight
"I doubt this is a real trial, otherwise they would have to sell hundreds of iPad's at a much reduced price later on. Overall i support the idea, but protecting it from spreading germs and from ..."
By ITnovice
 
 
 
Comments: 2
tabletpc
Jun 1, 2010 5:51 PM
I think this is somewhere that iPad may be a good fit. Public deployments. It will be interesting to see how they protect them though, and what they look like after 3 months at the hands of customers...
ITnovice
Jun 1, 2010 7:30 PM
I doubt this is a real trial, otherwise they would have to sell hundreds of iPad's at a much reduced price later on. Overall i support the idea, but protecting it from spreading germs and from digital viruses and other forms of electronic mischief won't be easy. Hope they are insured against cracked/smashed screens.
Comments have been disabled for this article.
 
 
 
Top Stories
The New Zealand telco problem
Opinion: Could Telstra save Kiwi telcos?
 
IT price probe to 'name and shame' gougers
Industry ducking the issue, committee claims.
 
Revealed: 2012 e-government award winners
Government highlights projects, professionals of the year.
 
Sign up to receive iTnews email bulletins
   FOLLOW US...

Latest VideosSee all videos »

Latest Comments
Polls
Should the Government enact new legislation to protect copyright holders in the digital age?

   |   View results
Yes
  19%
 
No
  81%
TOTAL VOTES: 480

Vote