SQ PE - Now officially launched

[SQfanatic]

As we are off to AKL tomorrow evening on SQ PE, I read some flight reports on this new cabin, and I noticed the IFE software is not the same, depending on the aircraft...

In this report, on Oct 19, it's a 77WN to SYD and the IFE is the latest one (2013), like the rest of the cabin (2013 J and Y). I can't see which aircraft it is.
http://flight-report.com/en/report-11972.html
I assume that aircraft is newly delivered or newly refitted.

In that report, it's a 388, 9V-SKH to HKG... although the hardware is the new PE one, the software is the older one (like in the other cabins for the rest of the aircraft I presume)... a bit disappointed I must say
http://flight-report.com/en/report-11664.html

[hopefully although publishing an external link, I am still compliant with SQTalk rules !]

I'm not sure what you're expecting, but the A380 with PEY does not have other 2013 products as the forums have stated; In other words, IFE would still be older across all cabins (Don't know of any aircraft where one class has had a different IFE than the other). Someone claimed it would be difficult to install two software on one aircraft.

The 77W (77WR) however, has all new products (All 2013 F, J, Y), that's where you expect the newest IFE. Hope the future A380s in 2017 will have the newest products.

[SQ228]

As we are off to AKL tomorrow evening on SQ PE, I read some flight reports on this new cabin, and I noticed the IFE software is not the same, depending on the aircraft...

In this report, on Oct 19, it's a 77WN to SYD and the IFE is the latest one (2013), like the rest of the cabin (2013 J and Y). I can't see which aircraft it is.
http://flight-report.com/en/report-11972.html
I assume that aircraft is newly delivered or newly refitted.

In that report, it's a 388, 9V-SKH to HKG... although the hardware is the new PE one, the software is the older one (like in the other cabins for the rest of the aircraft I presume)... a bit disappointed I must say
http://flight-report.com/en/report-11664.html

You have the correct idea.

All PEY seats are obviously new, but seats, no matter which class they are in, all access the same IFE server and system. You may have a new, large touch-sensitive screen in front of you, but just like plugging an old VCR into an HD flat-panel, the screen can only display the quality it gets sent.

Given the weight, expense and complexity of an onboard IFE system, they are hard to replace and having more than one would add more weight, more complexity and require the division of the cable system, which in an A380 would be insane. I remember reading an article that claimed the data cable system for IFE in the A380 was so complicated it added to production delays!

[SQfanatic]

You have the correct idea.

All PEY seats are obviously new, but seats, no matter which class they are in, all access the same IFE server and system. You may have a new, large touch-sensitive screen in front of you, but just like plugging an old VCR into an HD flat-panel, the screen can only display the quality it gets sent.

Given the weight, expense and complexity of an onboard IFE system, they are hard to replace and having more than one would add more weight, more complexity and require the division of the cable system, which in an A380 would be insane. I remember reading an article that claimed the data cable system for IFE in the A380 was so complicated it added to production delays!

Yup, when I also flew a 773 (non ER) refurbished to DEL in August 2012, when leaving the aircraft, I noticed it had new First Class seats (same as the older 77W longhaul product). Thought to myself, wow, you think the IFE could be different for First Class passengers on the old 773 (non ER)?

After doing research with not much luck, and assuming enough that IFE would be the same in all classes (based on software installed on aircraft), I later stumbled upon a SQ photo on Instagram with enough evidence that older maps and IFE also exist on the 773 First Class like the Y class as well (pretty obvious).

As for the TR link, the remote in PY is the same as the old longhaul Y class remote (presumably taken from the old 77W Economy Class seats whereas the 77WR would have the 77WN seats, same touch remote as well in PY).

[Bitterroot]

More PEY

Added 77WR rotations from late this week:

SQ 328 -- Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 20 November. SQ 327 following day ex- MAN.

SQ 326 -- Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 19 November. SQ 325 same evening ex-FRA.

[Metropolitan Airlines]

Given the weight, expense and complexity of an onboard IFE system, they are hard to replace and having more than one would add more weight, more complexity and require the division of the cable system, which in an A380 would be insane. I remember reading an article that claimed the data cable system for IFE in the A380 was so complicated it added to production delays!

You're right. However, that was because WiFi technology was not as mature back in 2005 as opposed to 2015.

I would think upgrading the IFE serve nowadays will need less work than before as you can simply upgrade the IFE system from a wired IFE to a wireless IFE system powered by in plane WiFi, which then they control the units on each seat using an Android like operating system.

This will and should significantly reduce the complexity of cable wiring as well as weight of the aircraft since the only cable you need to connect to each IFE unit will only be the power cable.

However, in SQ's case to add S Class to A380, I believe time matters, and they want to roll out the product as soon as possible to start generating extra revenue. Therefore I suppose they might want to simply plug the existing IFE into the new S seats even the screens can touch and they might do some reconfiguration come 2018 to change over the entire plane by then.

[FN-GM]

I would think upgrading the IFE serve nowadays will need less work than before as you can simply upgrade the IFE system from a wired IFE to a wireless IFE system powered by in plane WiFi, which then they control the units on each seat using an Android like operating system.

i work in IT and I am a qualified network specialist. With the amount of seats this would be really expensive and not a reliable. Wired will be a much better system. The IFE unites can be powered by the data cable so you wouldn't need 2 cables with a wired IF systems.

[Pinkfloyd]

Seems like the launch date for PY to PVG tomorrow will not happen. Booked on SQ830 PY and for some reason my OLCI was changed to a normal EY class. No email to inform me of the change. On the phone now to the call centre and I'm being told I'll be compensated with a voucher... Someone is going to get an earful very soon...

[Metropolitan Airlines]

Hi all,

With Premium Economy, may I ask will I be able to get priority immigration clearance at Sydney Airport upon arrival?

Thank you.

[9V-JKL]

Hi all,

With Premium Economy, may I ask will I be able to get priority immigration clearance at Sydney Airport upon arrival?

Thank you.

Yes you will. At LHR as well

[SQfanatic]

So the only plane that hasn't been flying since 11/23 is SWD. I wonder if it's next to get a PEY refit or undergoing some other check.

[Durian]

Yes you will. At LHR as well

3 weeks ago, to AKL, we were not given the fast track coupon upon arrival

[Durian]

oh... maybe there was no fast track in AKL ? I can't remember... but anyway that would have been useless, there was no queue at all for immigration

[SQfanatic]

Keep an eye out for SWD, as mentioned in the PEY thread. Hasn't been flying since 11/23 and just wondering if it's undergoing a PEY refit or some other check. SWR was also on the ground for days, but it already took off in the skies again.

Otherwise, as per the next letter in the alphabet, it should be SWO. Besides that, SNC is assumed to go fitting in new seats, but not sure if that will be a 77WN or 77WR?

[leops1984]

Otherwise, as per the next letter in the alphabet, it should be SWO. Besides that, SNC is assumed to go fitting in new seats, but not sure if that will be a 77WN or 77WR?

I would think that it will be a 77WR - SNB was outfitted as a 77WR, and if it was going to get a 77WN setup it would have been done at Boeing, like SNA.

[SQfanatic]

I would think that it will be a 77WR - SNB was outfitted as a 77WR, and if it was going to get a 77WN setup it would have been done at Boeing, like SNA.

What about SWD?