According to Business Traveller, Finnair has announced that it will be launching a trial of supplying iPads (on loan) to some of its premium passengers.
iPads will be handed to passengers in the Finnair Via Lounge at Helsinki Airport "preloaded with content including newspapers, magazines, films, TV series and games, as well as a bespoke Finnair application designed to gather feedback and ideas for product development." Given Finnair has been promoting Helsinki Airport as a great hub to fly between Europe and Asia, there is an opportunity for business class passengers on many routes to try this out. Given Finnair is often the cheapest One World airline in business class between European cities and Asian cities (and indeed Australia codesharing on BA/Qantas for the final hop from Bangkok or Hong Kong to Sydney), it is certainly presenting itself as a different carrier at the premium end of the market.
Furthermore, iPads will also be supplied to Business Class passengers on the Helsinki-Hong Kong route itself in November. A great trial to determine if inflight entertainment might be better delivered on iPads rather than screens built into the seat.
A gimmick? Well maybe not. iPads will have greater functionality than any airline IFE (In Flight Entertainment) AVOD system, and have two other advantages. For starters, decentralising IFE reduces the risk that an entire system will freeze or break down. If an iPad fails, get another one. Secondly, it could reduce the weight of IFE in premium cabins, by avoiding the wiring and separate boxes for each IFE unit at every seat. Naturally it would be a nightmare to introduce in economy class, given the size of the cabin, greater chance of theft or damage and the like.
Still, top marks to Finnair for innovation. As it has been converting its long haul business class to fully lie flat seats, it is now an excellent economical business class alternative, especially for those earning frequent flyer points and status on One World carriers. It certainly outdoes its Scandinavian rival SAS.
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