AirTran's IFE is.......

[General Lee]

AirTran Airways to Introduce XM Satellite Radio Inflight
Tuesday January 6, 9:47 pm ET
Up To 100 Channels of Live Digital Audio Available To All Passengers


ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2004--AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI - News), today announced that the airline has selected XM Satellite Radio as the airline's new inflight entertainment system. As the launch airline customer for XM Satellite Radio, AirTran Airways will provide its passengers with the best selection of digital audio entertainment available.


XM Satellite Radio is the industry leader in digital satellite radio and offers listeners up to 100 digital audio channels including live news, sports, weather, talk and music programming. The service will be free for all passengers.

Each one of AirTran Airways' Boeing 717 and 737 aircraft will be equipped to offer the new service at every seat, and the airline will begin installation in the summer of 2004 with all aircraft completed by the end of 2004.

"AirTran Airways is proud to announce the addition of the latest in inflight entertainment technology to the most distinctive low-fare service in the industry, which already includes an affordable business class, all new aircraft and service to 45 destinations across the country," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "From takeoff to touchdown, our passengers will be able to experience everything from hip hop to classical music as well as live news, sports, talk, comedy, kids and entertainment programming onboard. AirTran Airways is excited to partner with an innovative company like XM Satellite Radio."

"AirTran Airways is setting a new standard in air transport, offering new levels of convenience and value to their customers. We are truly excited that AirTran Airways has chosen XM for their live inflight entertainment, providing their passengers the opportunity to experience our outstanding audio content wherever they fly," said Hugh Panero, XM's President and CEO.

A pair of AirTran Airways' Avio Italian-designed Business Class seats outfitted with the XM Satellite Radio Technology will be on display starting today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., at the XM Satellite Radio booth.





I bet that is better than nothing. It probably beats most of the Delta inflight entertainment, but not Song's. But, I will give them credit for trying something original. Song, of course, allows each passenger to decide on a certain number of tracks from a group of 40 or so albums--creating their own Song list. Now, I wonder if Delta Mainline will ever get that same choice? Maybe---if the pilots pay for it.....

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Ty Webb]

Dont think this will amount to anything unless they get some great headsets. LCCs are continuing to morph into legacies.

Not sure what you mean by your comments.

To me, it's just another proactive decision by a management team that has made some very smart decisions in the last few years . . . (besides hiring yours truly).

Seriously . . . the difference between the AirTran Airways of, say, 1999 and today is so profoundly different . . . . yet there are still so many idiots on these boards taking any opportunity they can to bash us. . . . .

BTW, we retired our last DC9 yesterday. We are now officially an all 717 fleet until the B737's start showing up in June, but some fool like T-Bags will have to post how he "still has his doubts", I am sure. Must be pretty boring there at Ye Olde Depot.

 

[General Lee]

Ty,

Come on bud, be nice to the guy. I do think it is interesting that Airtran is doing it, but I guess they HAVE to when Jetblue and Frontier offer Live TV etc... It will cost you though to keep up with the Jones---and that will take some of those profits away from you--even though it is the smart thing to do. And I read that it will have 100 different stations? It will take the average passenger 30 mins to just figure out what they want to listen to, and then they will be in the descent. Sounds like a good problem.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Ty Webb]

I'm not saying it is a very original idea, nor that it will be cheap, but I think it is necessary, and for a short-haul airline, it might even be a better idea than TV . . . .after all, considering an average movie and our route structure- well, you'd be lucky to get past the opening credits . . . unless you're going to
Wi-cheetah.

They are going to install a pair of those things up front, aren't they? We traded our ADF's for GPS, and I still haven't figured out how to get AM stations on those, yet.

TW

 

[FDJ2]

What type of IFE will Airtran offer on the 737?

 

[General Lee]

I think just the XM radio---which is better than nothing.....I think this will force the other LCCs to add some sort of IFE---like Spirit and maybe Southwest.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

717 & 737 Both will have the Xm Radio. I also understand we got if for $0. That means free, if what I was told is true.

 

[General Lee]

Just like Jetblue's maintenence on their A320's? I know that is just a rumor but I love bringing it up......That is just the way I am---you all know that.....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

general,
How much did that IFE cost Delta

Q: How was copper wire invented?

A: two pilots fighting over a penny.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

I'm sure AirTran got a great deal from XM.

Think about it:
XM Radio is still new to a lot of people, so putting them on an airplane is a huge marketting oportunity. TVs in each seat...not so much. Everyone has TV at home.

In fact my car came XM Radio ready and I've been thinking whether it's worth activating it or not. That'll be good way to find out.