Only Difference Between Classes Is Screen Size

In an effort to woo more passengers, Singapore Airlines is equipping its newest aircraft with more in-flight movies on larger screens... and a PC at every seat.

Singapore Airlines doesn't believe in-flight services are a place for cutbacks, reports PC World Communications. The cabin service investments are viewed as a way to help it stand out from its competition.

The carrier uses KrisWorld for its in-flight entertainment system. It can offer on-demand movies, television shows, games and music to passengers.

"It's become expected," said Eric Tong, senior manager of in-flight entertainment product innovation at Singapore Airlines. Improvement upon what people expect will help the carrier rise above the competition, he said.

KrisWorld's most recent version has an improved user interface and is based on Panasonic Avionics Corp.'s eX2 in-flight entertainment system. It has a central server connected to a network of PCs installed in every seat. Economy-class seat gets 10.6-inch screens with a 1280 x 768 resolution; business class gets a 15.4-inch screen; first class, a 23-inch screen.

The main server has terabytes of space for content available to passengers, said Tong. Each seats' PC has 40GB of hard drive space with a Via Technologies processor and runs on  Red Hat's Linux operating system complete with USB ports.

Passengers will have the choice of 100 movies, 150 television shows, 700 music CDs, 22 radio stations, and 65 games that are changed around every month, as well as Berlitz language lessons and live text news among other things.

The carrier will even sell you a keyboard to take advantage of it all. The only thing lacking is internet service, although the carrier is researching that issue.

"We are reviewing options and once we find that there are viable options, sustainable ones over the longer term ... we will certainly look at it," Tong said.

Perhaps the carrier should talk to Qantas. The Panasonic In-flight Entertainment System Qantas will be installing is state-of-the-art, offering greater choice, more entertainment options and in-seat access to email and the internet as well as wireless connectivity for customers with their own laptop.

"Our new IFE will have over 100 on-demand movies, 350 television selections, 500 audio CDs, 30 PC style games, and a selection of audio books, language tutorials, destination information, business education and radio channels.

An advanced graphic user interface will allow passengers to easily navigate through the vast range of entertainment options," Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said.

FMI: www.singaporeair.com, www.qantas.com