It will soon be possible to call home, shop, and choose films, all from the remoteness of an aeroplane seat as airlines finally get around to realising that an aircraft is a lousy cinema while the seat-back is crying out to have a display installed in it. The Wall Street Journal reports that NWA Inc’s Northwest Airlines has introduced an in-flight communications network, Worldlink, which is made by a unit of General Motor Corp’s Hughes Aircraft Co, Hughes Avicom International. Passengers will have a headset and choose from options displayed on a touch-sensitive monitor measuring 4 to 6 diagonally. Apart from movies, video games and shopping, there will also be a telephone receiver and transmitter at every seat. Initially passengers will be able to use the telephone only over land, but Hughes says it should be able to add over-water capability within a couple of years. Some of the services will be free, others will incur a charge. It is the first system from a domestic US carrier that enables people to tap into a broad database as if they were using a personal computer. Hughes eventually expects to provide live news and sporting events by satellite. On top of that, the system will offer connecting-gate information and the ability to pre-process passports. Hughes, which valued the Northwest order at $70m, won’t say with which other airlines it is talking, although it is thought that other airlines will follow suit. The concept was pioneered by Plessey Co, now GEC-Marconi Inflight Systems Ltd, which thought it had an 18-month lead, but the pioneer has yet to find a buyer. Despite optimistic statements about forthcoming sales (CI No 1,503) Lonnie Muir, Inflight Systems director of marketing says that airlines are holding back, primarily because they fear buying the first systems and would rather wait until another airline has tried them, and also for financial reasons. GEC-Marconi’s system, based on the GMIS systems, built by GEC-Marconi, offers 12 video channels and 72 audio channels. The liquid crystal display screen measures 5.7 diagonally and will be placed in the seat back or armrest. Apart from films, it will offer moving map displays and connecting gate information. It will enable passengers to purchase duty free and catalogue items, communicate via facsimile or telephone, and make reservations for airlines, hotels, cars and theatre, paying by credit card or cash. Muir says he has hopes of an airline signing on the dotted line within the next month.
