Hello everyone!
My last post on in-flight entertainment was back in August, so I figured it was time to update you all as we prepare to kick off the summer travel season… because one of the most frequently asked questions is, “Will I have Delta on Demand on my flight?”
How’d it start?
Beginning in August, 2006, we began converting our 767-300ER fleet to Panasonic’s digital eFX IFE platform. And beginning in December, 2006, we began installing cabin-wide Audio/Video On Demand (AVOD) across our 777 and 767-400 fleets. Fast forward to May, 2008 and we’re now in the final stages of an 18 month-long initiative to add full-cabin AVOD to more than 100 planes.
As of June 1, 2008, Delta will have 131 aircraft with cabin-wide AVOD and 59 aircraft with AVOD in the BusinessElite cabin. Through Dec. 2008, we’ll add cabin-wide AVOD to an additional 15 aircraft.
So is it on my flight?
Domestic
We offer the AVOD product to customers on most flights 4+hours to and from New York City, Boston, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Atlanta.
Flights between Los Angeles and Honolulu or Maui also feature Delta on Demand.
International
We offer Delta on Demand to all customers traveling in the BusinessElite cabin, regardless of destination.
It’s also available to customers in the Economy cabin traveling between Atlanta* and Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Moscow, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bogotá, Quito, Guayaquil, Paris/CDG, Copenhagen, Dakar, Dublin, Frankfurt, Sao Paulo, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, London/LGW, Madrid, Munich and Milan.
And if you’re traveling in Economy between New York/JFK* and Antigua, Shannon, Guatemala City, Edinburgh, Manchester, Malaga, Mexico City, Lyon, London/LGW, Paris/CDG, Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, Santo Domingo, Santiago (STI), Frankfurt, Georgetown, Brussels and Mumbai…you’ll also be on aircraft with Delta on Demand.
It’s available to all customers traveling between Cincinnati* and Amsterdam…to all customers traveling between Los Angeles* and Cancun and to all customers traveling between Hartford* and Cancun.
*And here’s the fine print…Routes and Aircraft subject to change
Fast Facts
The system features 18 channels of live satellite television on 97 Boeing 737, 757 and 767 aircraft flying domestic routes (usually on flights of 4 hours or more), while customers flying on transoceanic routes on Delta’s Boeing 757, 767 and 777 fleet enjoy up to 25 hours of on-demand television across a broad range of genres.
More, More, More!
It all comes down to choice… I know I like to be entertained and having a bunch of stuff to watch or play is important — especially on a long flight. That’s why we’re making the investment in an industry-leading entertainment product.
By the end of 2008, Delta will have 205 aircraft equipped with Delta on Demand – one of the largest AVOD-equipped fleets in the world.
And we’re still not done… soon you’ll see the product on even more aircraft and routes. Delta will take delivery of (5) 777-200LR and (3) 737-700 aircraft with factory-equipped AVOD in 2009. Plus we’ll add Delta on Demand to the remaining (7) 767-400ER aircraft in our fleet.
Let us – and the world – know what you think about Delta’s in-flight entertainment! Click here to take part in a quick survey.
The 2008 World Airline Entertainment Survey is a partnership project between SKYTRAX RESEARCH and the WAEA (World Airline Entertainment Association).
I look forward to reading your comments and responding to your questions.
Chris-
May 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Nice to see progress being made. It’s still frustrating when I help my dad with his travel arrangements (he’s a PM living in New York) that my answer to his question about whether the flight will have AVOD is “maybe”.
A lot of his flights to the west coast out of JFK are now on 737-800s, whereas they used to be ex-Song 757s (is the JFK Transcontinental branding gone now?). What’s the progress on the 738 fleet?
Also, are the emPower plugs being removed from coach on the 737-800 and 767-400s? If so, could you please update the “Connectivity” page on Delta.com? There’s no mention of the 110-volt power ports now appearing on more and more aircraft. I bought an emPower cord for my new MacBook on a flight to Tokyo, only to find I didn’t need it!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Thanks for the update, Chris! My past 4 recent flights (2 were transcons) had the AVOD. It’s great to see Delta striving to make improvements to in this area!
A major concern for frequent DL flyers is the deteriorating state of the satellite TV service. These days, you are lucky if 3 or 4 of the DISH satellite channels even work! Often, the signal is unavailable, and if it does work, sometimes the channels are switched around. While the domestic AVOD improvements are great, it is very disappointing to find that the DISH satellite reception is out of service more often than not.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I’m liking what I hear! Hopefully, should NW/DL merge, the 747 will get equipped with Delta OnDemand and the 777 sleeper suites
Also, I like the fact that Delta is one of the few carriers which offers in-flight entertainment on such a wide variety of aircraft (ranging from the smallest to the largest).
May 7th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I love the AVOD if and when it works but that is a BIG if….
I just completed 4 segments this week on the 767-300 and there were multiple problems with the AVOD system on all 4 flights. The first flight required 2 reboots of the entire AVOD system and 2 reboots of my seat’s AVOD system. None of the reboots solved the problem (if I tried to watch tv, watch a movie/hbo, or play a game it would crash.) I had to switch seats 3 times to find a working unit. On the second flight the movies were “unavailable” and attempting to play a game caused it to crash. On the 3rd and 4th flights it worked after the entire system was rebooted twice.
I’m sorry to complain on here but I don’t understand why you continue to install a system that is plagued with problems.
Again, I love it when it works and it is nice to be able to have a nice choice of movies especially for those of us who make multiple trancon flights each month.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:30 am
The Delta On Demand AVOD is terrific and a big improvement to the flight experience. But what ever happened to being able to see whether your flight will have AVOD during the booking process? I can’t find the small TV icon anywhere now, and this would be helpful for purposes of making flight decisions.
Also, I was on a flight from New York to Las Vegas a few weeks ago - it was a five hour flight that didn’t have AVOD. Aren’t flights of this length supposed to have AVOD?
May 9th, 2008 at 10:05 am
tcyw: That’s what we would like. However, Chris mentioned in his posting that AVOD is offered on “most of” the 4+ hour domestic flights.
You are right, it would be helpful to see which flights offer AVOD during the booking process.
Chris: Thanks for the update! Last month I flew from FRA->JFK->LAS and LAS->ATL->FRA and really enjoyed the IFE. Keep up the good work!
May 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
James K…here’s the low down on power…effective June 1, the only aircraft that will feature empower are our remaining domestic 767-400ER aircraft.
Every seat in BusinessElite and First Class will offer 110V power.
The first 10 rows of Economy will offer 110V power on the 757-200 ETOPS, 767-400ER International and 777s.
Every seat on on aircraft with Delta on Demand also offer USB ports…the power from the USB is usually enough to charge an iPod or mobile phone.
I’ll work with Delta.com to update the power page.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
DiscoPapa…you are not alone in noticing the poor performance or the satellite television product. As we’ve ramped up mod lines and introduced more than 50 new aircraft with Sat TV, we’ve seen a huge increase of outages.
We’re replacing all the receivers and all the antennas with updated versions, but given the size of the fleet, this will take time.
Panasonic teams are working closely with TechOps Engineering and Cabin Maintenance to identify and correct the issues.
Please know that these problems are being addressed at the highest levels.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
tcwy…I know, I know…this has been an issue for quite some time. We’re working closely with Delta.com but given the scope of the changes required to implement behind the scenes, we haven’t had much traction. This is one of my priorities, but hopefully some of the information I’ve provided in my post above will help.
Our corporate goal is that all flights within North America and the Caribbean of 4+ hours will feature Delta on Demand at every seat.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Geoffrey…I know it’s frustrating when the system doesn’t perform as it should. As a product manager, I take it very personally when we don’t deliver on the products we’ve spent so much time and money developing.
There is a huge focus on improving reliability and am optimistic that we are close.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I too agree the AVOD system is good in concept, but totally broken in reality. 85% of my flights with it have serious, serious problems. From multiple reboots, constantly freezing/dropping TV, few received TV stations, or audio channel cross-talk with seatmate.
The problems are SO bad, that I’m shocked when it actually does work. DL really needs to act PROTO on these issues. They’ve been going on for years.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:45 am
yngdiego,
Please see my comments above.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Chris:
I’ll be travelling on an international 767-400 flight this summer which is on your list of flights with Delta on Demand. I am currently assigned to an exit row seat (specifically 30A) in economy class. Do you know if Delta on Demand can be seen from this seat?
May 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
ms…yes, every seat on our internationally configured 767-400ER fleet has Delta on Demand. Have a good trip!
May 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Chris,
We’re heading to Cape Town in October out of JFK on what it says now is a 763ER. Would that plane have Delta on Demand or are we stuck with the old system. Also our Seats are 21A and B, are those good seats?
May 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Also, are there power jacks in the coach seats?
May 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
DanTann…Our 767-300ER fleet has DoD and 110v power in the BusinessElite cabin but overhead LCD screens in the Economy cabin. In-seat power is not offered in Economy.
Upgrades to the Economy cabin on the -300ER fleet are planned for 2010.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I fly ATL-MAN several times a year (in fact I am on DL64 tomorrow) and have seen the AVOD once last year on both legs of my trip. Was a fantastic way to pass the time and really enjoyed it. Since then, I haven’t seen it again on TATL.
With the rapid deployment of the upgrades Delta has been doing I see the odds improving of it being on my flight, - but is there any way to truly verify if the scheduled 767-300ER has been upgraded or not on this or other flights?
Now if Delta can rush the upgrades of the cozy suite seats too - that would truly be impressive as well [hint, hint]
May 13th, 2008 at 9:41 am
RB_TN…With the May/June schedule, our 767-300ER fleet has Delta on Demand in the BusinessElite cabin only.
This route may switch to a 757-200 ETOPS bird which has full cabin AVOD.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Hi Chris,
We’ re travelling with Delta flight 125 on june 1st from Brussels to atlanta and back on june 16th with flight 124…
According to your information, I think the AVOD will not be available on this flight? I hope I’m wrong, because it makes the long flight a little more comfortable…
Can you confirm this?
Thanks in advance!
May 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Will the MD-88 be equipped with any sort of in-flight entertainment in the future? I fly on those planes a lot. If they are equipped with any in flight entertainment in the near future that would be very cool.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Tim,
You’ll be on a 767-300ER which only has AVOD in the BusinessElite cabin. We’ll be upgrading 767-300ER Economy cabin starting in about 18 months.
Hope your trip to Europe is fantastic!
Chris-
May 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
757flyer,
Offering IFE on the MD88 fleet is tough due to weight restrictions on that aircraft type. And with oil closing above $127 a barrel today, adding any weight is a very expensive proposition. That said, there are options we are exploring…how’s that for mysterious?!
Totally off subject, but I saw on NBC Nightly News that the average for a gallon of gas in the UK is just under $8 and the average in the Netherlands is just under $10. Wow!
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Two things - the AVOD is a significant enhancement to traveling, and the implementation above and beyond the Song jets is a big plus for Delta in my book.
But I will echo the concerns listed above - the occasional drop out of channels is an annoyance, but when the system goes down, especially when it goes down in just the front few rows of the cabin where the medallion members get first pick, goes slightly beyond an annoyance. Something seriosuly wrong with the routers for that set of subaddresses or something when the whole section keeps rebooting throughout the flight.
However, problems with the AVOD won’t change my travel preferences. Flying these days is not the easiest thing to do, but at least in my experience the people on Delta try harder than most to make it Ok for the passengers. Some airlines just don’t even bother to try any more.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Chris;
What is the schedule for the ATL-HNL 400ER upgrades? We are heading to HNL in November in First Class. Thats a long flight in the old style F cabin!
Thanks!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:25 am
Where can I find the USB port on a DoD plane?
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Hey Chris - I’m hoping you’re loving these emails….cuz I want to add my specific flights to the pile…
1) B737-800 this Friday (June 6) Dulles-Salt Lake City
2) B757 July 3, Atlanta-LAX
Economy class, both flights.
Delta on Demand on either?
Thanks!
Jacob
June 4th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hi Chris
Seeing that Delta’s new B777-200LR has better DoD, which route is it currently serving and will it still be serving these routes at the end of 2008?
If not then older B777-200 still fitted with DoD?
Thanks!
Tom
June 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Hi Chris,
I’m flying FC on flight 862 (767-400) from ATL to ANC (at 7 1/2 hour flight) and can you tell me what type of entertainment system we’ll have?
Thanks,
Kathy
June 11th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Hello Chris,
I will be travelling this summer on a 767-400er, which you have described to have DOD, however on the return flight from Rome (FCO) to ATL it is a 767-300ER. Will the 767-300ER have DOD, as well as a power source?
Thanks for your help.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I forgot to mention I will be flying coach.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Rick805, in comment #17 Chris already answered your question.
Sorry, no DoD and no power source in coach, only in BusinessElite. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel (2010)
June 13th, 2008 at 2:18 am
ok first, im on a flight from Atlanta to Rome in late June on a 767-400, will i have DoD? And second, what kind of power source will i have if im flying coach, and could you explain what Empower is and what I need to buy so i can use it? Thanks.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I fly FRA - ATL at least annually, and was delighted to find on DL27 flight on 13 May from FRA had the DoD installed. I enjoyed the freedom to choose from the many menus. However, I quickly found when trying to assist my German seatmate, that most of the movies were available only in English, Spanish or French. How frustrated for first time German travelers!
Will this come soon?
July 6th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
DOD is the greatest thing. Not only do I love it for those long business flights but make traveling with my kids so much easier.
On our family vacation we took a 757 with DOD from LA to Atlanta and had it. The kids were entertained the whole way.
We are taking a flight from LA to Atlanta on a 767 this year. How can I find out if my flight is equipped with DOD
July 13th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Im gonna be flying on a 767 from Atlanta to Seattle. Is there any way to know if my plane is equipped with Delta On Demand?
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
ChrisB, I had to bug you with another”Is my flight DOD BUT………..
We’re flying in First on 12/22 SJC-ATL, 737-800, Flt 1580 then connecting ATL to MCO 757, Flt 973
returning 12/29, MCO-ATL Flt 108, cnonecting to ALT-SJC Flt 1683
I THINK we have DOD, which would be fantastic, but since we both have iPods, and in seat power, is not necessary.
Thanks and looking forward to the flights!
David
August 13th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Yet again DoD failed me on TWO flights on the SAME day. First was a 757 where 95% of the TV channels were looping a DishTV promo segment or not working at all. The other channels were improperly labeled. “Bravo” was actually Discovery channel. In addition, the 110v power outlets did not work. The FAs tried to reboot the system twice to fix the TV stations, but that did not work. They were also unable to fix the power outlet problem.
On my second flight of the day, a 767-300ER, NONE of the TV stations worked. So the FAs rebooted the system twice, and it was still dead. And after the reboots the power outlets stopped functioning.
DoD is nice when it works, but quite frankly, I haven’t been on a single plane where everything worked as advertised. Please either fix the wildly broken system or pull it off the planes!
September 1st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Do the Manchester UK to Atlanta have DoD on these aircraft…
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
‘Beginning in August, 2006, we began converting our 767-300ER fleet to Panasonic’s digital eFX IFE platform.’
This is in the first line of your blog, but it then goes on to say that Delta on Demand is not available on this plane, are these different things?
We fly in December from Manchester to Atlanta and having been on a US Airways flight last year which had a brilliant entertainment sysytem I really hope Delta is going to offer the same. Nine hours craning our necks to look at a overhead screen is not something to look forward to. Please reassure me that I don’t have to cancel our flights and look for others.