Our lead story is a reminder to all you IFE aficionados to sign-up for the WAEA Technical Committee Meeting & Single Focus Workshop (March 24 – 25, 2010) in Southern California. Day One features the WAEA Technology Committee’s Digital Content Management Working Group (DCMWG) Meeting, there will be three panels. The first will consider the proposed changes/additions made in the MPEG-4 settings covered by WAEA 0403. A panel of industry experts including hardware providers, content providers, and representatives from the post-production community will participate. The second panel will consider the possibility of adding an HD specification to WAEA 0403. A demonstration of 1080p content on 1080p native screens, versus 720p content on 720p natives screens, at different screen sizes is planned. The third panel will consider the possibility of adding a 3D specification to 0403 or as a separate document. Representatives of MPEG Industry Forum (MPEGIF) with whom WAEA has a reciprocal relationship are expected to attend and participate in the 3D discussion. Day Two is a WAEA Single-Focus Workshop (re “Connectivity Update”) sponsored in part by EMS. There is a minimal fee of $75 for vendors to attend Day 2. WAEA TC & Single Focus Workshop Information.

Perhaps the biggest news this week is from Alaska Airlines…trialed Row 44 Internet hardware on 4 aircraft and then went with AirCell’s Gogo service. Equipment/installation cost may be part of the equation but we suspect Alaska’s new management may be in there somewhere. We contacted Row 44 and CEO John Guidon told IFExpress: “We are disappointed we could not work out a mutually agreeable business relationship. But based on information we learned during their successful passenger trial, we know passengers were extremely satisfied with our service, including coverage into Canada and the far reaches of the airline’s namesake State.”– Row 44 CEO John Guidon. Check out this story in the Seattle Times for additional info and see the Aircell press release in this issue of IFExpress.

OK, we stole this from the Aircraft Interiors crowd but so did they! Actually, it is a good story on Asian Aviation…plus, you can find out what this years’ AIX show in Hamburg is all about! On the AIX website here’s what Murdo Morrison’s (Editor Flight Int’l) says about Asian Aviation: “Emerging more confidently from the global recession than other regions, the Asian aviation market is forging ahead and appears to have coped better than expected with the recent economic down turn. Could this herald a trend for airlines operating in the Asian arena to be at the forefront of the latest look in interiors as operators gear up to meet the growing demand? Seen for many years by some experts, as the great hope for the civil aircraft and aerospace industry it does seem that the Asian aviation market is starting to fulfill these predictions. Statistics at the start of 2010 show Asian aviation’s freight and passenger growth to be looking quite healthy.” With 98% of the stands sold to date, you had better hurry if you want to own your exclusive display. Here is a link to the AIX floor plan. as well as a link to Murdo Morrison’s video on Asian Aviation.

An aviation reprobate and an old friend, Robert (Bob) Bogash, sent us a link to his website outlining his experiences with, and knowledge of the lore of, the U-2 spy plane. We know, it has absolutely nothing to do with in-flight entertainment but it is really interesting! If you have an interest in aviation technology and want to learn some Skunk-Works stuff and see incredible aviation history photography – this link is for you!

Water Cooler Rumor One: An aircraft display vendor is about to roll out an amazing 65”, aviation grade (DO-160), Large Screen Monitor!

Water Cooler Rumor Two: A new Alaska digEcor Contract was signed at the end of 2009 with XT players shipped to Alaska. IFExpress has the scoop on a new agreement for about 1,000 more players for Alaska that will handle shopping, advertising, etc. just like the new Hawaiian contract. We also hear the first of the L7 “Lafeel built players” will be shipped at the end of March to a customer in Europe. This is the early model that was exhibited at the WAEA in Palm Springs. It will exceed the battery life of even the XLP – it’s battery life will now be 20 plus hours. We expect the new device to sport solid-state memory soon with chips instead of a hard drive and it could reach 25 hours of battery life. Stay Tuned on this one.

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines today announced it will offer Aircell’s Gogo® Inflight Internet service on all Alaska’s aircraft.

With Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers will be able to browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service will provide passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground.

“With more than 730 systems already flying, Aircell has a proven track record of deploying affordable inflight Wi-Fi services to airline customers,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska’s vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience. “Their reliable, lower-cost equipment can be installed quickly, allowing Alaska Airlines to introduce Gogo service to our customers as soon as possible.”

Alaska and Aircell are currently working to install the Gogo service on a Boeing 737-800 and will begin testing to secure certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Once Aircell’s equipment has been certified for Alaska’s 737s, the airline will start outfitting its entire fleet, beginning with its 737-800s serving longer routes.

“Alaska Airlines has a rich history of leveraging innovative technologies to create the best possible customer experience,” said Michael Small, Aircell’s president and chief executive officer. “We are proud they have selected the Gogo service to offer their customers a choice in how they spend their time while traveling. The ability to surf the Net and send e-mail will enhance the inflight experience for Alaska Airlines’ passengers.”

The Gogo system, currently available in the U.S. lower 48 states, will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 and up, based on length of flight and device used. To ensure the service is available to the airline’s namesake state, Aircell will expand its network to provide Gogo Inflight Internet service on flights to, from and between key destinations in the state of Alaska.

Last year Alaska Airlines successfully tested a satellite-based inflight Wi-Fi service offered by Row 44. However, the airline ultimately chose Aircell’s Gogo service to speed fleet-wide installation and Wi-Fi availability for customers.

We asked an IFExpress field reporter to check out the newly installed Row44 Broadband installation and performance on Alaska Airlines during a recent trip. He sent along this report:

“I boarded Alaska Flight 664 from SEA to DFW, a 3-3.5 hour flight. The tail number of our aircraft was #644. Let me also note that the flight outlasted my laptop battery and that there was no inseat power… a situation that may inhibit some users facing high price points. In my case, Alaska offered the service at a very respectable $5 (introductory fee) and this probably increased the passenger uptake.

1. The aircraft was equipped with 16 First Class seats and I observed 10 or so users during the flight in my service class. I would note that I became so wrapped up in work, sending and receiving emails, and web surfing that I completely forgot to check out the coach usage but I am sure it was at least as busy with Internet usage.

2. Once at cruise, logon was relatively easy. I should note that the service was branded as Alaska Airlines (not surprisingly) they took AMEX, MC, Visa via the onscreen prompts. Logon was straight forward after payment, however some users had issues selecting the aircraft LAN but that is relatively straightforward with Windows or Mac OS. I found the Wi-Fi signals to be strong and without speed variations. Really strong! I was getting a consistent 54Mbps during my battery’s life.

3. Passengers using the system all seemed to like and appreciate the availability of onboard Internet and many were watching video applications like YouTube. Many asked if other flights were so equipped and the crew noted the test status of the system. I am sure a good report was sent to headquarters because I talked to no dissatisfied users on my flight.

4. In talking with the crew, they estimated a 30% to 35% usage factor as a pretty good representation and this is very high! While slower connectivity systems are thrilled with 5%, the draw of the Internet is very powerful. If one considers Smartphone PED’s, the number could be very high, especially in coach where seat/lap space is at a premium.

5. I also took the onscreen survey which asked the obvious questions such as pricing recommendations, ease-of-access, ease-of-use, etc. My seat mate said he thought the price schedule should reflect the sector length and that he’d pay $10 for the 3-1/2 hour flight to DFW but a hop to SFO or OAK should be no more than $5. I wondered if Alaska’s SOC could link aircraft routing data to the system control unit to price the service by miles.

6. From my single flight experience I would say that laptop usage topped Smartphone and iPhone (Also a Smartphone but in a class by itself.) usage by a factor of 2X to 3X. As more of these devices enter the market, I would expect to see the numbers level out. However, the new Netbooks may offset the phone gains. Time will tell, but the issue here is the incredible onboard usage – do the math! This is going to be a moneymaker if the airlines get their rates to approximately $10 as they say they are heading.

Without much fanfare last month, Row44 and Alaska Airlines repeated connectivity history with hopes of changing your flight experience. They installed an external antenna, a satcom receiver/transmitter, and a couple of Wireless Access points (see image) and started flying their airborne Internet in an operational trial in a B737. Of course, the event we are talking about is the first US commercial airline install of some five years of work for the small California company know as Row44. Alaska Airlines saw the potential of airborne connectivity so we sought out Chase Craig who manages program development and market research for Alaska and he told IFExpress about the two week old project. The system is functioning in a low visibility mode trial prior to any go-ahead and formal project kickoff. For you bloggers and IFE junkies the operational B737 is t/n 644 and the plane is flying as-needed route applications within the Alaska system, rather than on dedicated route legs. We understand that the system is operating properly and that crews announce that fact to passengers. Alaska in accumulating operational and usage data in the process and will do so for some time.

We asked Mr. Craig about eventual pricing and he told IFExpress, “We think the existing airborne Internet pricing model is a too high and we are presently looking at a pricing model that is lower”. IFExpress thinks that the price will be in the region of $9.99 per day based on factors like the economy, not to mention that they are flying in competition with another product with a$13 price point. What would you charge?  We asked about system use: “Log on is easy”, said Chase, “We went to lengths to make our Terms of Use easy and straightforward. We don’t want to act as traffic cop to travelers who are Internet savvy but we wanted to clearly set out that Alaska desires to avoid public display of inappropriate content. “In that case, we will deny service”, he noted.

The system is capable of up to 30 Mbps but is presently throttled as a result of 802.11 B/G speeds. This should present no issues to multiple users, besides; we note that the system is scalable. Chase told us that he has used the system and is very pleased with its ease of use… not to mention the ease on fuel burn based on a system weight of less than 200 pounds. Operating at Ku Band stationary satellites, the Row44 hardware does not require a network of ground-based antennas. Not only is this a promising solution for undeveloped areas, but the obvious thought is an eventual over water solution. When the trial is complete and if Alaska chooses to equip their fleet, expect some 100 to 110 airplanes to be equipped with the Row44 hardware. We suppose that this is a good point to mention that other, bigger companies have tried and failed to deliver a satisfactory satcom-based, Ku band, airborne Internet solution. We acknowledge the Row44 accomplishment! Jolly good show!

Needless to say, the latest Wi-Fi lawsuit targeting Delta and AirCell was not lost on Alaska, “We are watching it with interest”, said Craig. We are too – Stay Tuned!

Here is a YouTube link for a short preview of the Row44/Alaska Airline Wi-Fi system in operation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Rvl5YJG-I