Qantas is investing $400 million ($242 million) in new passenger entertainment systems, catering and airport lounge improvements, the bulk of which - $300 million - is to be spent on Rockwell Collins' interactive in-flight entertainment hardware. Rockwell's Total Entertainment System, to be installed in all three classes of the Boeing 747-400 fleet from April next year to mid-2002, will offer 12 video and 18 audio channels, intranet access, computer games, a satellite text news/weather service and telephones. Qantas is keen to offer in-flight e-mail, and is discussing a partnership with the Rockwell-News Corporation joint venture for live broadcast satellite service.
Source: Flight International
