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Passengers probably prefer to use their own devices, but selective access to content hand-picked by the airline might feel restrictive for flyers willing to pay for more options.
Virgin Australia will launch the second stage of its inflight wireless entertainment system next month, with passengers able to play streaming video and music directly on their own tablets, laptops and smartphones rather than rely on airline-provided Samsung tablets.
The airline will begin a month-long trial of the technology “in the next three to four weeks”, Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti told Australian Business Traveller, “and is designed for your iPhone, iPad, or laptop to access directly”, although a limited number of Samsung Galaxy tablets will still be carried on each flight.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia has confirmed that the streaming signal will be free for all travellers who bring their own devices.
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Tags: tablets, virgin australia, wi-fi
Photo credit: A Virgin Australia flight waits out the rain in Brisbane. Michael / Flickr.com