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Entertainment takes off [Gulf Weekly (Bahrain)](Gulf Weekly (Bahrain) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Travelling to your favourite holiday destinations this winter need not be at the cost of missing the big match or keeping track of world news updates. The kingdom's national carrier, Gulf Air, has become the first airline in the world to offer a complete suite of entertainment options that includes live television, high-speed broadband and mobile phone service alongside its regular in-flight entertainment service. The onboard 'Sky Hub', offers passengers, in every class, full broadband connectivity to browse internet sites or use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype or play online games at a cost of approximately BD6 for an hour to BD11 for 24-hours. They can also make calls or send an SMS through their mobile phones and watch live television. Currently customers can watch their favourite football teams on IMG Media's Barclays Premier League channel or keep up-to-date with world events on BBC World News, BBC Arabic and Euronews. There are plans to provide nine television channels eventually. Gulf Air CEO Samer Majali said: "It is another important milestone in our customer service journey as we unveil our latest in-flight entertainment system, 'Sky Hub' on our fleet. "We are bringing to you, for the first time in the world, fully-integrated broadband connectivity offering high-speed internet with high-speed Wi-Fi and data services, voice over the internet (VOIP), streaming videos and the world's first in-flight live TV satellite stream across continents. "In tune with the fast-paced economy, Gulf Air is providing the fastest, affordable and unlimited internet and mobile access onboard for our customers to stay fully-connected in the air and, we are pleased to be the first in the industry to offer our customers a connected airline. "I am sure this avant-garde, cutting-edge technology will fundamentally change our passengers' communication and entertainment experience onboard, setting a new standard for in-flight entertainment." The first of its A330-200 aircraft has been recently been fitted with Panasonic Avionics Corporation's (Panasonic) Global Communications Suite. The system costing several million dinars is due to be installed across the entire fleet over the coming months. Officials said that all wide-bodied, long-range aircrafts will offer the complete 'Sky Hub' suite while the short range aircrafts will only offer telephone and limited internet access. Passengers can also use their own electronic devices such as their laptop, iPad or an iPhone to connect to the airline's Wi-Fi network or use the television screens provided in the aircraft. Business travellers can also access their virtual private network to send and receive emails while watching live news and stock market updates. The airline's current network stretches from Europe to Asia, connecting 51 cities in 33 countries, with a fleet of 34 aircraft. (c) 2011 Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |