Need help with some research and/or advice. regarding united and jetblue.

[Chananya Freedman]

I did post about this before but I am gonna go about it a different way this time. So, what's the latest with the united and jetblue airlines entertainment systems.

Background info: I recently took some flights to the east coast and some interesting things occurred.
Jetblue airways: had the original entertainment system with tv plus sirius xm. In the list of entertainment options on the screen there was a category that said "ATC" What's the story with that?
United airlines: When I recently went back to the east coast over thanksgiving weekend, I flew united premium service both ways from LAX to EWR. Previously when the previous premiere service was LAX to JFK they used older planes that allowed you to use channel 9 to listen to ATC. On both planes of the premier service, they used the brand new entertainment system even though they were both 757s. What's the story with these two Air traffic control listening options while in flight. No one has the time to do the research and get back to me, could they at least post some links or ever private message me some links to where I can read up on this myself because I'm not exactly sure what to type into google. That's why I'm asking for some help.

Happy new year and stay warm for those of you on the east coast.

[|InsertNameHere|]

Hello Chananya,

Here are some answers that may help.

JetBlue: With regards to the "ATC" option on JetBlue flights, there are some restrictions. Basically, the ATC option allows passengers to listen to the ATC conversations that the flightdeck is having. This would allow, for example, passengers to know when they are doing a maneuver such as entering a final descent or a base turn. This option, however, only works when the pilot has decided to turn it on. For example, on a regular flight, the ATC option should work for the whole time, but on a flight in which there is some sort of emergency or VIP encounter, the pilot may decide to turn off the ATC option as to not frighten or in any way worry the passengers aboard.

United Airlines: With regards to this change in inflight entertainment aboard United, I have less insight. I do propose the idea, though, that United Airlines may have changed their policy, for whatever reason, to make ATC unavailable to passengers. It could be a security thing, or for some other reason. I'm not sure. Otherwise, I surgest that you give United a call on their customer service number [1 (800) 864-8331], where I'm sure someone would be able to explain the change to you.

Hope this helps,
InsertNameHere

[AsianNomad]

With the new United system, I believe the cockpit crew makes the determination whether ATC audio is fed to the passengers or not. I was recently diverted on a United flight from Tokyo to Chicago, ATC was turned on so the people in the back could hear what is happening.

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[Chananya Freedman]

what kind of plane were you flying from tokyo to chicago on?

With the new United system, I believe the cockpit crew makes the determination whether ATC audio is fed to the passengers or not. I was recently diverted on a United flight from Tokyo to Chicago, ATC was turned on so the people in the back could hear what is happening.

Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

[AsianNomad]

I flew on a 747 from Tokyo to Chicago, and a 757 from Newark back to Tokyo (same system).

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[007trader]

Go to Flyertalk.  Go to the respective JetBlue and United forums there and you will find voluminous information on these systems.  I don't know anything about the JetBlue one, though at least one thread on FT indicates it had a delayed roll out due to improper installation.

The United threads will all refer to it as "Channel 9" as this used to be the IFE channel dedicated to "From the Flight Deck".  It has always been available only at pilot's discretion. IME the number of pilots that choose to have it on these days is very small for a number of reasons.

[Chananya Freedman]

Whats the URl for the Flyertalk main page?

Go to Flyertalk.  Go to the respective JetBlue and United forums there and you will find voluminous information on these systems.  I don't know anything about the JetBlue one, though at least one thread on FT indicates it had a delayed roll out due to improper installation.

The United threads will all refer to it as "Channel 9" as this used to be the IFE channel dedicated to "From the Flight Deck".  It has always been available only at pilot's discretion. IME the number of pilots that choose to have it on these days is very small for a number of reasons.