| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by grahame at 22:42, 18th August 2026 |     |
I was reminded of Volo by this BBC Article
American Airlines to bring back TV screens on US flights
American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.
The carrier says it will restore seatback displays across its domestic fleet, reversing a years-long strategy of removing them from most US routes.
[snip]
Its move follows years of complaints from passengers, who said that relying on personal devices left them with drained batteries, awkward viewing angles, and patchy Wi-Fi.
It also comes as US carriers try to steady demand in a cooling market.
American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.
The carrier says it will restore seatback displays across its domestic fleet, reversing a years-long strategy of removing them from most US routes.
[snip]
Its move follows years of complaints from passengers, who said that relying on personal devices left them with drained batteries, awkward viewing angles, and patchy Wi-Fi.
It also comes as US carriers try to steady demand in a cooling market.
So operators are trying to improve their product to attract more customers, even if they have to spend money to do so. Do we see the converse at times on our public transport in the UK, where trains are bursting at the seams even with poor luggage, cycle and legroom, and so improving these is deemed an unnecessary expense?
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Jim at 22:36, 26th March 2008 | |
Not being spied on by management I hope 
Nope, apparently they can't be used for "P45's" yet!
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by devon_metro at 20:24, 26th March 2008 | |
Not being spied on by management I hope
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by oooooo at 20:18, 26th March 2008 | |
The refurbished class 153s are fitted with forward facing cameras..... But not for the purpose of volo!!
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by at 12:43, 26th March 2008 | |
Yeah, I was thinking that after I posted it - all very well until you see something you really shouldn't - it's terrible enough that the drivers might have to experience it, let alone all the passengers...
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Ollie at 00:40, 26th March 2008 | |
The drivers view camera was an idea, and wasn't physically implemented hence not being available.
Driver's view wouldn't be ideal if you ask me. Would you really want to be watching driver's view when involved in a fatality?
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by at 15:33, 25th March 2008 | |
I travelled it once whilst it was up and runnning and free - can't remember what TV program was on but it was something like Dad's Army....the only thing that interested me was the "driver's view" camera but that wasn't working on that day.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Conner at 13:50, 25th March 2008 | |
I take it the carriage finally went (ad livery and seats) in the refurb- or was it before?
Pretty sure it went to refurb, but as one of the first carriages to be done.| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Btline at 13:48, 25th March 2008 | |
I take it the carriage finally went (ad livery and seats) in the refurb- or was it before?
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by John R at 17:09, 24th March 2008 | |
Also, the FGW network passes through some of the most fantastic scenery in this country - why watch TV and miss the wonderful views?
I find the view as Boring as hell at Night!
Only travelled on the Volo carriage once all the screens were tied up with plastic wraps so out of use.
The Volo carriage run around for months still advertising the "Volo Service" after the trial was wound up, it's Illegal to advertise a service thats not available.
Well I suppose if you could prove that you only bought your ticket on the back of knowing you were going to have a Volo service then maybe you might have a point, but otherwise don't think there's anything wrong (let alone illegal) with what FGW were doing keeping the coach in service.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by swlines at 14:24, 24th March 2008 | |
FGW spending money??
I could see it rolling out partially - but not to one carriage in every train. More likely one carriage in each low density refurb I would say. I know that it was 'approved', so to speak, upon by passengers but I believe revenue flow had difficulties and it had to be revised before rolling out among more trains.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by oooooo at 14:19, 24th March 2008 | |
Even if within FGW it has been said it was a 'success', the proof in the pudding is really that it hasn't been rolled out among more trains
Yet..............................
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by swlines at 14:11, 24th March 2008 | |
I'm only as sure as my sources can tell me. Even if within FGW it has been said it was a 'success', the proof in the pudding is really that it hasn't been rolled out among more trains.
(posting on board a unrefurbished Mk3 HST on NXEC to Newcastle)
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by smokey at 10:56, 24th March 2008 | |
Also, the FGW network passes through some of the most fantastic scenery in this country - why watch TV and miss the wonderful views?
I find the view as Boring as hell at Night!
Only travelled on the Volo carriage once all the screens were tied up with plastic wraps so out of use.
The Volo carriage run around for months still advertising the "Volo Service" after the trial was wound up, it's Illegal to advertise a service thats not available.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by oooooo at 10:49, 24th March 2008 | |
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Steve Bray at 10:23, 24th March 2008 | |
Also, the FGW network passes through some of the most fantastic scenery in this country - why watch TV and miss the wonderful views?
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Mookiemoo at 22:32, 22nd March 2008 | |
Wouldn't work with me- I'm one of those unfortunate souls who often get travel-sick if I read while in a moving car or train......
I get travel sick in car or bus if reading - but not train!
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Graz at 22:16, 22nd March 2008 | |
Wouldn't work with me- I'm one of those unfortunate souls who often get travel-sick if I read while in a moving car or train......
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Jim at 22:02, 22nd March 2008 | |
the seats look quite similar to the ones in the 180s
I can assure you 180 seats are at least 3times better!| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Conner at 22:01, 22nd March 2008 | |
the seats look quite similar to the ones in the 180s
But very uncomfortable compared to 180's.| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by dog box at 21:34, 22nd March 2008 | |
the seats look quite similar to the ones in the 180s
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Conner at 18:56, 22nd March 2008 | |
I went in the carraige but only after the TV's had gone- the seats were so uncomfortable, Richmond's or very similar IIRC.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Btline at 18:39, 22nd March 2008 | |
So ironically, there were more table in a Volo carriage, than a refurbed HST!
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Mookiemoo at 18:37, 22nd March 2008 | |
I remember a few years back, that FGW tried a TV carriage. It involved taking out all the table and fitting just airline seats in a carriage ( 
!). Then, customers would be charged for earphones and for the content which would be viewed on the seat back.
Since the trial ended, I have heard nothing. I take it the project was axed, and the carriage was refreshed. FGW never said.
Did anyone here ever go on said carriage?
Does anyone think they were a good idea (I was not convinced myself!)?
!). Then, customers would be charged for earphones and for the content which would be viewed on the seat back.Since the trial ended, I have heard nothing. I take it the project was axed, and the carriage was refreshed. FGW never said.
Did anyone here ever go on said carriage?
Does anyone think they were a good idea (I was not convinced myself!)?
If you look at your pitcures - they didnt take out ALL the tables - some were left - now that might be a reaasonable compromise - but I still cant see (especially in the age of ipods etc) why anyone would want someone elses choice of musak or tv
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Ollie at 18:35, 22nd March 2008 | |
I personally the idea it has been discontinued is best, money can be spent better elsewhere really.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by swlines at 18:34, 22nd March 2008 | |
Put it this way, it wasn't a success.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Mookiemoo at 18:34, 22nd March 2008 | |
I remember a few years back, that FGW tried a TV carriage. It involved taking out all the table and fitting just airline seats in a carriage ( !). Then, customers would be charged for earphones and for the content which would be viewed on the seat back.
Since the trial ended, I have heard nothing. I take it the project was axed, and the carriage was refreshed. FGW never said.
Did anyone here ever go on said carriage?
Does anyone think they were a good idea (I was not convinced myself!)?
!). Then, customers would be charged for earphones and for the content which would be viewed on the seat back.Since the trial ended, I have heard nothing. I take it the project was axed, and the carriage was refreshed. FGW never said.
Did anyone here ever go on said carriage?
Does anyone think they were a good idea (I was not convinced myself!)?
Never went onto it - horrendous idea - would go back to the car.
I want some space in front of me to work (refreshed SC on a HST is okay - JUST) - I dont care about cruddy TV/Musak someone else has chosen
| Volo TV HST carriage Posted by Btline at 18:26, 22nd March 2008 | |
I remember a few years back, that FGW tried a TV carriage. It involved taking out all the table and fitting just airline seats in a carriage (
!). Then, customers would be charged for earphones and for the content which would be viewed on the seat back.Since the trial ended, I have heard nothing. I take it the project was axed, and the carriage was refreshed. FGW never said.
Did anyone here ever go on said carriage?
Does anyone think they were a good idea (I was not convinced myself!)?
