Jetstar may be piloting the iPad for in-flight entertainment and Malaysia Airlines has put Apple's new tablet into kiosks at the Kuala Lampur train station, but Virgin Atlantic has gone a different route.
The airline opted to use Panasonic Avionics and AeroMobile technology for in-flight movies and entertainment, texting and mobile communications.
Actually, the multiyear agreement between Virgin Atlantic and Panasonic to install the Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system and AeroMobile eXPhone products on the airline's pending order of 10 A330 aircraft offers a little iPod and iPhone love, as well.
For Virgin Atlantic, passengers in Premium Economy and Upper Class will be able to plug their iPods, iPhones and other mobile devices to play their own tunes and videos, or to view their photos and documents on the seat-back screen, the companies say.
All passengers, regardless of class of service, would be able to plug in a USB to view their own content, the companies say.
In addition, passengers will be able to send email, SMS texts and make phone calls, according to the announcement.
Passengers with mobile devices also would be able to view some 300 hours of movies, news clips, destination videos and an interactive map, the companies say.
The contract, which calls for installation of the equipment on other future aircraft, has a potential worth to Panasonic of more than $70 million.
The 10 A330 aircraft, purchased for about $2.1 billion, are slated to be delivered to Virgin Atlantic in February 2011.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Airlines announced yesterday that it already has installed Panasonic's eX2 systemson its A330-200 aircraft, as well.