An
Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) inflight entertainment system is now available to economy class
customers on all Continental Airlines' Boeing 757-200 aircraft. All 39 757-200s currently in service have been fitted
with the system, and the remaining two aircraft are currently being retrofitted and will re-enter
service by 23 December 2008.
The system has been available in the BusinessFirst cabins of these
aircraft since early 2007. The aircraft are used primarily on trans-Atlantic flights to and from
Continental’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The Panasonic eFX AVOD system which features individual seatback video screens in
economy class for the first time on the Boeing 757-200, allows customers to choose from up to 25
movies, 25 TV shows and 50 CDs of music of various genres. Once the system is activated by the
crew, customers may watch the programming whenever they choose, controlling the programs with
easy-to-use touch-screens to stop, pause, rewind and fast forward. The new entertainment system
also has 20 video games and an interactive Berlitz Word Traveler program that teaches
foreign languages.
As part of the upgrade, AC power ports have been installed throughout the economy cabin,
providing electricity for the growing number of portable electronic devices like laptop computers,
personal DVD players and digital music players that customers are bringing on board. The
power ports accept the standard electric plugs from most countries around the world. No special adapter is
necessary. BusinessFirst seats already feature the power ports.
“Now all our customers travelling on Boeing 757-200s can choose from a wide variety of
inflight entertainment options, whenever they want,” said Eric Kleiman, Continental’s director of
product marketing. “They can also work or play on their laptops without worrying about their
battery running out during the flight.”
Continental is also currently installing AVOD in both the BusinessFirst and economy class
cabins of its Boeing 777 fleet. To date, 14 of the airline’s 20 777s have been fitted with the new
system, with the entire process due to be completed by May 2009. The AVOD system on the 777
allows customers to choose from more than 250 movies, 300 TV shows and 150 CDs, with a
jukebox feature to make individual playlists. The system also has 25 video games and the
interactive Berlitz Word Traveler foreign language program.
In addition, for customers on flights operating within the continental United States,
Continental has entered into an agreement with LiveTV that will allow Continental to offer 80
channels of live, inflight satellite-based television programming provided by DIRECTV®,
a satellite television provider, at every seat on Continental’s Boeing 737 New
Generation aircraft and Boeing 757-300s. The first aircraft featuring live TV is expected to enter
service in February 2009.
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