KrisWorld

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KrisWorld is Singapore Airlines' in-flight entertainment system. It is an advanced system that is available in all classes of service on all aircraft of SIA. It currently has three versions operational and was introduced in 1995. It is considered one of the major advertising tools for SIA and one of the reasons for Singapore Airlines popularity around the world.

Contents

[edit] History

During 1993 and 1994, SIA was looking for a new entertainment system that it could offer to its passengers. During this time, only two major airlines has a fully pledged IFE system for all passengers and classes - Emirates and Virgin Atlantic. However their systems were not really advanced; costly to run; and offered only 10 channels of video programming at the most.

Singapore Airlines however looked at a system that worked on a digital network platform; passed FAA tests and was central for programming updates and upgrades in the future. This entertainment system was made by Panasonic Avionics Corporation (previously incorporated as Matsushita Avionics Systems).

After being impressed with the quality and offerings, they signed a deal to retrofit their Boeing 747-400 aircraft with the system. This retrofit began in 1995 and was finished by 1996-7. At the same time, the new Celestar A340-300 was about to be introduced, at this time, it was automatically installed with the aircraft's delivery. The same process was also used for the introduction of the Boeing 777 aircraft.

By 2000 the Boeing 747-400 Megatop; Celestar A340 and Jubilee 777 were the only aircraft to have the system for all classes. The other aircraft - Boeing 747-300; and Airbus A310 did not have this system, however all aircraft later retired. That same year; SIA introduced Wisemen 3000 into First and Raffles class.

[edit] Original KrisWorld

The original KrisWorld (introduced 1995) was available to all three classes of service. It featured:

  • KrisVision - which included 14 movies, 36 TV favourites and 5 cartoons.
  • KrisSound - with 12 stereo audio channels.
  • KrisGames - provided by Nintendo
  • Fax and KrisFone - fax was available in certain sections, KrisFone was offered in every seat.
  • FlightPath
  • Destinations
  • Text News
  • KrisWorld double sided handset - one side audio and video controls, other - KrisFone.

The original KrisWorld has since been updated to take Wisemen 3000 for First and/or Business Class passengers or enhanced Krisworld for all classes.

[edit] KrisWorld with Wisemen 3000

With the introduction of the new First Class Sky Suites and the Ultimo Seats in Raffles Class, SIA decided to upgrade the entertainment experience for those classes, by installing Wisemen 3000.

Wisemen 3000 was the Matsushita Avionics Systems 3000i IFE system that supported Audio and Video on demand (AVOD). Because of this new features include:

  • Increase of programs - estimated 30 movies, 20 TV favourites and 10 cartoons
  • Audio and Video on Demand
  • 14 inch screen in First Class

Economy Class still had the old version with cycle programming.

This version is still seen on some Boeing 777 services on the following aircrafts - 9V-SRA to I (2 classes), 9V-SQA to H (3 classes) on Boeing 777-200s and 9V-SYA to E on Boeing 777-300s.

[edit] Enhanced KrisWorld

In 2002, Singapore Airlines slowly began introducing the enhanced version of KrisWorld. This included increasing the amount of programming and offering AVOD to Economy Class passengers. The new features included:

  • Increase of programs - estimated 50 movies, 30 TV favourites and 20 cartoons.
  • In 2004, SIA increased again the programming to 80 movies, about 50-70 TV favourites and 30 cartoons.
  • Bigger screens in Raffles Class (SpaceBed).
  • More games - 20-30 PC, Nintendo, with multi-player capability.
  • AVOD in all classes
  • Berlitz World Traveller - learn a language

This enhanced version is available on all Boeing 747-400; selected Boeing 777 - 9V-SRJ to Q (2 classes), 9V-SQI to N (3 classes), 9V-SYF to L (Boeing 777-300), all 9V-SV*s and Airbus A340-500 services but all 5 A340-500 aircrafts are gradually being retrofitted into an all-Business Class cabin.

[edit] New KrisWorld

The new KrisWorld
The new KrisWorld

In 2007, SIA unveiled[1] the new KrisWorld. This featured a new interface, more programming, Audio and Video on Demand as standard. On top of the new features available, First Class passengers get a 23 inch LCD PTV; 15 inch PTV in Business Class and a 10.6 inch PTV in Economy - all widescreen. This new system is available on Airbus A340-500 (Business Class only), Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER. The new Krisworld features:

  • 100 Movies.
  • 180 Popular TV Programs.
  • 700 Music CDs.
  • 3D Games - Singapore Airlines is the first airline in the world to offer this.
  • Nintendo Games.
  • USB flash drive plug in and Ethernet.
  • LED flash light under the PTV in Economy Class for non-intrusive light.
  • New handset for each class (First and Business Classes get a colour screen handset).
  • New Interface coded by James Titcumb from Airborne Interactive[2].
  • Office software in every seat (provided by Linux).[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ New Krisworld; "Innovation Marks the Unveiling of the World's First A380 Interior"
  2. ^ James Titcumb's Blog. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  3. ^ robs.au (2008-03-18). Airbus A380 StarOffice. Aircraft Photos (Set). Flickr. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.