Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 921 times:
Singapore Airlines passengers will be able to send SMS text messages from the air using Matsushita's Inflight Communicator.
The service will be free for 3 months and was inaugurated yesterday onboard SQ036 to Chicago via Amsterdam.
"The trial period is an opportune time to fine-tune the system and encourage comments and feedback from our customers before we implement the service across our fleet. This launch is another confident step towards our revolutionary entertainment and communication blueprint, the SIA CyberCabin," said Mr. Yap Kim Wah, SVP Products and Services.
Up to 160 characters can be sent to any mobile phone, e-mail address, or touch screen enabled PTV (what?).
"We are equally pleased that our partner, Virgin Atlantic Airways, will offer a similar service at the same time," added Mr Yap.
Information was gathered from the above hyperlinked webpage. Full information can be viewed by clicking the above hyperlink and clicking the news release dated 27/08/2002
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 907 times:
Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched SMS texting aboard one aircraft and four aircraft will be equipped with the feature by the end of September 2002.
As with SIA's system, SMS can be sent to any mobile phone or e-mail address. Messages will be sent instantly at a cost of £1.60 / US$2.43 / €2.42 per SMS.
“Virgin Atlantic has always led the way with inflight technology and entertainment and we will continue to deliver the most advanced inflight entertainment experience available to passengers. The introduction of e-mail and SMS text capabilities will enhance our award winning inflight entertainment for all passengers – unlike other airlines who focus solely on those in business class. In traditional Virgin style we’ll add a fun element as well with our very own ‘Good Text Guide’ for tips on how to make the most out of your message.” said Sir Richard Branson.
777236ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 902 times:
Talk about shooting themselves in the foot.
Same things happened with PTVs. Cost the airlines MILLIONS for no really benefit. As a few airlines installed PTVs, others had to do to keep up. The result not? Millions spent on PTVs and no airline exclusivly advantaged by their introduction. The same thing happened with in-flight phones, and will happen with this SMS, Connexion by Boeing and similar systems.
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 3, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 874 times:
You do raise a good point.
I read an article by OAG when an airline official said that on a Boeing 747, on average, 7 people out of about 60 used an internet connection. And that was when it was free!
I think it's more of a perk. But 7 out of 60 at a free price is really not good. When people have to pay.. well!
SunAir From India, joined Jun 2009, 0 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 863 times:
"As with SIA's system, SMS can be sent to any mobile phone or e-mail address. Messages will be sent instantly at a cost of £1.60 / US$2.43 / €2.42 per SMS."
That's expensive!! I would never send an sms at a rate of £1.60 when I can send an sms from my mobile phone when I arrive at my destination for £0.06!! Hell I can make a 10 minute phone call for £1.60!
I can't see many other people from countries with poor ecnomies sending sms's either at this price. I doubt it will work.
Tsentsan From Singapore, joined Jan 2002, 2016 posts, RR: 16 Reply 6, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 859 times:
SIA A/C involved is 9V-SVG. Schedule for it is as follows:
19 August 2002 SIN-AMS-ORD SQ 36 (launch flight)
20 August 2002 ORD-AMS-SIN SQ 35
23 August 2002 SIN-FCO SQ340
23 August 2002 FCO-SIN SQ339
24 August 2002 SIN-AMS SQ324
25 August 2002 AMS-SIN SQ323
26 August 2002 SIN-AMS-ORD SQ 36
27 August 2002 ORD-AMS-SIN SQ 35
Note: There will be a promotion period for the first 3 to 4 months from the
launch date of 31Jul02. During the promotion period, the service will
be available to passengers free-of-charge. Please note that passengers
using the application will still need to swipe their credit card on the
KrisFone to activate the application but will not be charged for its
use.
Route-Dedicated - Aircraft installed with the application will be dedicated to operate the following routes during the promotion period:
Jesseycy From New Zealand, joined Aug 2001, 343 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 837 times:
777236ER, I would disagree that PTVs are useless. Without them, you would probably have a much noiser cabin, from all the kids whining about not having anything to do. They are certainly a HUGE perk for passengers.
But you're right about the inflight phones, which I think would also extend to the SMS service. They are certainly quite redundant, simply because they cost so much! If they're much cheaper, then they would be quite useful......
Airbus_A340 From Hong Kong, joined Mar 2000, 1554 posts, RR: 21 Reply 9, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 810 times:
Singapore_Air, 'I would use it once however, to see if it works."
If it didn't work, then, I don't think they would install it. I agree that it's rather expensive, if they could have made it much cheaper, they would see a lot more usage.
777236ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (10 years 8 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 804 times:
Ok, I dunno how tired I was when I made that last post but sorry for the errors
Anyway, benefits to passengers are kind of moot. PTVs aren't necessary. Airlines were doing great before PTVs were installed, and they would have continued to do well had PTVs not been installed anywhere. As it was, idiots like Branson installed PTVs and so everyone else had to catch up. Now all the major airlines have PTVs. There's no difference between them. It's not a deciding factor when choosing your airline. Airline's get no real benefit from PTVs and get lots of financial issues. It's just another cost with no benefit to the airline.
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