When the on-plane movie is on, it's usually a good thing. There isn't anything like entertainment at 30,000 feet. But, the movie might suck and you can't do squat about it. Or, it's a kick-ass flick, but you're all the way in the back. Here's is the solution. On the plane, there should be a computer, preferably in the cockpit. Before the flight, employees download movies from the Internet, onto the CPU. Under the seat, there is a hard drive connected to the main drive (the one in the cockpit). So this way, all downloaded movies are on each hard drive. the monitor is revealed when you pull down the built-in tray from the seat in front, assuming that there is also a keyboard. Plus, not only can you watch a movie, you could surf the Net and visit Web sites, such as the Half Bakery. There are also the earphones so you don't interfere with your next-seat neighbour.
-- HomerX, Sep 30 2002

JAL Inflight Entertainment http://www.japanair...ainment/default.htm
These guys have got it together. [Amos Kito, Sep 30 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

mp3 playlists on planes http://www.halfbake...lists_20on_20planes
[calum, Sep 30 2002]

MSNBC: In Flight Internet http://www.msnbc.com/news/825345.asp
Boeing (and others) have been baking this for a while, it is deploying now [krelnik, Oct 04 2004]

Check out the JAL [link]. Some airlines are looking at "wireless LAN", so your PocketPC would be "online". They could have a selection of movies onboard. Having equipment under the seat is a problem, but people could rent a viewer (or use their own) and gain a little leg room.
-- Amos Kito, Sep 30 2002


I'd love to be able to play at the 'bakery while flying... croissant.
-- madradish, Oct 04 2002


Per-seat video is extremely baked, although only some of them don't allow you to choose the start time as described, but instead offer a selection of movies at fixed start times like pay-per-view cable channels. Mostly you see it on the big planes on trans-oceanic flights. The Boeing 777 is notable for this.

In-flight internet access has been baking for quite a while by Boeing and some other companies, deployment is starting right now. See link.
-- krelnik, Nov 01 2002


Just buy a portable DVD player. The smaller ones are as low as $299 and can play for four hours without recharging.
-- crazywriter_2003, Jul 22 2003


There are also services in some airports that will let you rent said players (and the disks as well, of course). If your destination is also an airport served by them, you can drop the player off when you arrive.
-- krelnik, Jul 22 2003


Or the 17-inch Apple Powerbook (drool).
-- Cedar Park, Jul 22 2003



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