Continental Ups In-Flight Options

Continental Airlines is enhancing its in-flight entertainment options and in-seat AC power ports on its fleet of Boeing 757s. The airline said it completed the installation of Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) in the BusinessFirst cabins of its fleet of 41 Boeing 757 aircraft used primarily on transatlantic flights to and from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. AVOD systems will be installed in economy cabins beginning this summer. The AVOD system allows customers to choose from up to 25 movies, 25 short-subject programs and 50 compact discs. The system allows passengers to control the programs with touch-screens to stop, pause, rewind and fast forward. The new system also has 20 video games and an interactive Berlitz World Traveler program that teaches foreign language. Continental also plans to install AVOD in both the BusinessFirst and economy cabins of its Boeing 777 fleet. The first 777 with the new system is scheduled to enter service in March. The entertainment systems on these aircraft will allow customers to choose from more than 250 movies, 300 short-subject programs and 150 compact discs. Continental is increasing the number of in-seat AC power ports on the Boeing 757. Power ports are available in each of the 16 BusinessFirst seats on these aircraft and at economy class seats located forward of the overwing emergency exit. These will be the first Continental aircraft to be equipped with power ports that accept the standard electric plugs from most countries around the world. No special adapter is necessary. AC power ports will be installed throughout the economy section when AVOD is added to the main cabins of Continental B757s. Continental's Boeing 777 and 767 fleets already have the EmPower 15V DC system which uses special adapter cables for the in-seat power. The airline plans to deploy in-seat power in more types of aircraft in order to support the anticipated increase in the use of on-board electronics. More