Inflight entertainment system launched
(Business Times; 09/16/98)
MALAYSIA Airlines yesterday launched its enhanced Interactive Inflight
Entertainment System, as part of a modernisation programme to become a world-
class airline which offers products and services that surpass passengers
expectation.
Malaysia Airlines executive vice president (airline) Datuk Bashir Ahmad said
the inflight entertainment system can keep long-haul passengers occupied during
the journey. "For a 12-hour journey, for example, a businessman can't get in
touch with his office in the long non-stop flight unless there are telephone or
facsimile services available on board," he told a press conference at the KL
International Airport in Sepang yesterday.
The launching ceremony was officiated by Malaysia Airlines chairman Tan Sri
Tajudin Ramli.
Asked on the total cost of the modernisation programme, Bashir said it is
small in comparison with the total cost of an aircraft. "Roughly it costs us
not more than 1 to 2 per cent of the price of an aircraft," he said.
The modernisation programme will involve the entire fleet of Malaysia
Airlines' aircraft.
"The first nine Boeing 747s are undergoing the maintenance programme which
will also include the upgrading of the inflight entertainment system," he said.
The Malaysia Airlines' in-seat touchscreen interactive system is divided
into four categories - entertainment, news, lifestyle and services.
A survey conducted by the airline recently found that some passengers have
no time to shop when they are on the ground, which results in an inflight duty-
free shopping with Golden Boutique, Bashir said.
Services offered to Malaysia Airlines' passengers are 70 hours of
Interactive Entertainment, 22 hours of video featuring the best movies,
cartoons and documentaries on 12 different channels, 27 hours of music on 18
different audio channels and eight hours of mind and arcade games.
Other features include hourly news, airshow to inform passengers about their
flight ground and air information, showtime preview, KL planner for travel tips
and golden holidays' special holiday packages.
The passengers in the First and Golden Club Class will be equipped with in-
seat 10.4-inch touchscreens while the Economy Class passengers enjoy standard-
size personal televisions.
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