Hawaiian Airlines passengers will soon be able to choose an iPad mini as their source of in-flight entertainment during their trip. Starting Sunday, September 1, those riding on a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 will be able to use the device.
Those riding in business class will have access to iPad minis for free during their flight. However those in coach will have to pay a fee and the iPad minis will only be available only on routes to North America, Brisbane (Australia) and Pago Pago (American Samoa). The fee isn't too hefty. If reserved in advance, the iPad rental will cost $15 and will cost $17 in flight if there are any still available.
The airline says that is will have 1,500 iPad minis for the 14 Boeing 767 jets that serve 14 routes.
The airline's wide-body 767-300's currently operate between Honolulu and Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Seattle, Phoenix in the USA; Fukuoka and Sendai, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Brisbane, Australia; Papeete, Tahiti; and Pago Pago, American Samoa. The airline also uses 767's for routes between Kahului, Maui, and the U.S. cities of San Jose, Oakland and Seattle.
"Hawaiian Airlines' signature on-board hospitality is already very popular with travelers, but we wanted to go even further to ensure our customers' travel experience is more enjoyable," said Blaine Miyasato, Hawaiian Airlines vice president of product development in a release. "With the help of Bluebox Avionics, we're building on our acclaimed inflight service by incorporating the latest in popular consumer tech products to enhance our in-flight entertainment options." To provide the iPad minis, Hawaiian has contracted Bluebox Avionics - which the airline describes as "a global provider of portable In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solutions to airlines."
The iPad minis will take over all of the current entertainment systems on 767 flights. The iPads will have 100 hours of recent Hollywood movies and TV shows as well as games.
Hawaiian Airlines is also the only carrier flying between the U.S. Mainland and Hawaii to offer complimentary meals in Economy Class.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
