Virgin launches “gate-to-gate” IFE service

Virgin Atlantic passengers will now be able to watch the carrier’s IFE system from before take-off until the aircraft has landed, following a similar initiative introduced by British Airways last year. Until now Virgin’s IFE systems were turned on 25 minutes after take-off, and switched off 40 minutes before landing, but passengers will now be able to use the systems during their entire journey, once the safety demonstration has been completed. Two points to note – the new initiative is not available on three of the carrier’s A340-300 aircraft (updated: Business Traveller was initially mistakenly informed by Virgin that the service was not available on its A330-300 aircraft, a fact the carrier has now corrected). Also during taxi, take-off and landing passengers will only be able to use headsets provided by Virgin Atlantic. Last year British Airways relaxed IFE restrictions on its long-haul aircraft, allowing passengers to watch their IFE screens “from the second they reach their seat to the moment they arrive at their destination” (see online news November 27, 2012). This initiative was extended to the carrier’s A321 aircraft in March this year (see online news March 5). For more information visit virginatlantic.com. Report by Mark Caswell