This would be interesting. Most important however, is the content. If this catches on, it will spread fast and soon, we will see this on most airlines.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Australian, September 15, 2011

Qantas to trial iPads for sky-high entertainment

Qantas is trialling the use of iPads for its in-flight entertainment system. Picture: supplied

• Qantas to trial iPads for in-flight entertainment
• Will include movies, TV shows and music
• Could it be the end of traditional seat-back screens?

QANTAS is set to trial Apple iPads as the airline takes the first tentative steps towards introducing wireless technology for in-flight entertainment. 

From next month the airline will devote one Boeing 767-300 to the experiment, with TV shows, movies and music delivered to all passengers on the specially-configured tablet.

The airline follows British Airways, which tested the device on one of its planes in June, and Jetstar also has long-delayed plans to roll an iPad app.

Qantas customer experience manager Alison Webster said the trial could see the airline delivering all entertainment via wireless technology rather than personal seat-back television screens.

"Certainly that would be our end-game vision,'' Ms Webster said. “We see this as potentially being a breakthrough capability to be able to give more choice and more flexibility to customers' in-flight entertainment.”

The Q Streaming app, which was developed with technology from Lufthansa System, has the potential to deliver all programs currently available on Qantas's A380 aircraft.

But Ms Webster said the airline was still working on what content would be made available during the trial.

While the test will use only Qantas issued iPads, Ms Webster said the plan was for passengers to eventually use their own devices to access streamed content.

Another initiative under consideration was the ability to have movies or other television programs on personal devices available on playback even after leaving the aircraft to ensure passengers would be able to finish a program.

Ms Webster said there were significant weight savings on aircraft that used wireless technology, compared with seat-back IFE systems.

"We are all focussed on fuel burn being environmentally friendly and we have huge commitments to sustainability targets,” she said.

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia said wireless technology was one option for the airline's new entertainment system - part of chief executive John Borghetti's bid to take Australia's number two carrier upmarket - but offered no details.

US-based carriers like Virgin America, Southwest, United and American Airlines have announced plans to introduce - or are currently streaming - entertainment to passengers' personal devices on selected flights.

The move may see Qantas inch closer to being considered one of the best airlines in the world for in-flight entertainment - this year that title went to Emirates, based on the Passenger Choice Awards.

The reporter travelled to Seattle courtesy of Qantas and Boeing.

Family holiday in Phuket

During the recent school holiday in June, we went to Phuket for a holiday. The family always enjoy a holiday in Thailand as it is quite affordable with good food. We had not been back to Phuket since our daughter was born six years ago (we were last here when she was  a few months old).

We rented a car to make it easy to move around as we wanted to go out and eat rather than at the resort. Food is always a main agenda in our travel, especially if it is Thailand.

I am always amazed at how the 7-11 operate in Thailand. They do it so well and now, they even dispense petrol. However, I do not see this in Bangkok, maybe it's only for the smaller towns.

Convenient petrol

Going to Bangkok, one must always have the street food that are sold in night markets. There is so much choices to make and even if you do not buy anything, it is a feast for the senses.

Grilled fishes

Grilled pork sausages and pork balls

All types of desserts

A drinks stall

More food

And more food

Even more food

You get it by now

Our resort is located on Karon beach and it is near to Patong beach, the main tourist area. So the town itself is very touristy with lots of pubs, restaurants and shops catering to tourists.

View of shops in Patong town

Another view of the town area

We also went into the main Phuket town and they have an area that looks very similar to Melaka or Penang with the straits chinese look. Here, they view this as Portuguese and Chinese influence (similar to some areas in Macau).

Some restored facades

Very Melaka like

Peranakan in Thailand?

Baba Nonya of Phuket?

These are views of the Patong beach and town area.

Road getting into Patong town

Main Patong beach road

Patong Beach Road

We bought lunch from the local vendors and brought it back to the resort. The family love this type of lunch. It is cheap and delicious.

Curry, roast pork, fored chicken and pork fired with basil leaves

Chicken rice in banana leave

Great fried chicken

Yummy curry

They have curry puff with various sweet fillings. Yummy.

Phuket has a number of Thai and Chinese temples as the Chinese influence here is very strong. You can also see temples that have the mixed influences as below.

Until the next time, cheers.

One night in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

I have made many trips to the other ASEAN countries but not to Brunei yet until June this year. So, I was quite excited to see how is this country.

The airport arrival area

Another view of the airport

Airport parking

My first impression of the road system is that it is very similar to Singapore. The roads are built to high standards. Also with the few number of cars, it is not congested. So, the car ride is very comfortable.

View of a suburb area

Commercial area

View from the taxi

Nice roads

A large office complex

View of another suburb

City's commercial area

Another commercial area

Some Government building

The buildings are also very spacious and the surrounding areas are kept really neat and clean. I am really impressed with the country. They have spent the oil money well. I was surprised that there have only a population of 300,000. However, I understand that there are a large foreign worker population here (more than the population).

Due to the clean, neat and uncrowded surrounding, you literally have a stress free feeling. No wonder a number of Malaysians who work here do not want to go back.

However, night life is almost a no no here. So, party animals, there's nothing much for you here.

There is a large mall next to the hotel where I am staying. It is called The Mall. Although it is small by the standards of large malls in Malaysia, one can obtain almost anything one needs here.

A view of The Mall

Another view of The Mall

There is quite a large food court here and you can get quite a large range of food. The majority of Bruneians are Malay and the food is similar to Malaysia. There are also a lot of Indonesian influence.

A view of the food court

A nice bowl of bak mee

It's been a long time since I ate at Jollibee's. So, I had to order some take away. The fried chicken was good but the cheesy nachos is really great (but a killer for those on diet).

Jollibee takeaway

Well, there's nothing much for a tourist to see in Brunei as it is so small but if one were to stay here, I think the standard of living is very high and very good. However, their money is pegged to the Singapore dollar and things are not cheap here.

Until the next time, cheers.

Rizqun International Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

While booking for my recent trip to Brunei, I decided to stay at the Rizqun International Hotel as the reviews were quite good and it also had a shopping mall next to the hotel. This was my first time to Brunei and I was not sure what to expect.

The hotel was fairly new and the decoration at the lobby was rather grandeur in the Malay style. It was spacious and a high atrium.

A balcony overlooking the lobby

Nice high atrium

Quite lavish decor

Lots of stained glass

The entrance

Beautiful stained glass ceiling

They gave me a large room and it was large but quite spartanly furnished. What was interesting is they had a second toilet.

A view outside

A view of the bathroom

The shower and long bath

The second bathroom

The service at the hotel was good and the breakfast was very good. It was a mixed of Malaysian (Brunei is very much Malaysian food wise) and western fare.

Overall with the mall next door, the hotel is value for money.

Until the next time, cheers.