Westjet inflight entertainment YYZ-MCO ?

[4orm]

We're thinking of booking Westjet (always had better service from them as well as their free baggage allowance) and I was just reading on Westjet's that within Canada they offer the seatback TVs but for flights to the US you have to rent one of a few tablets for entertainment but only for flights longer than 3h20m. Does that mean that for flights under that length to the US there are no provided entertainment options?? Has anyone does this route recently? Toronto to Orlando.
We're going in Apr 2014 and really enjoy having seatback tvs. There are 3 of us. We don't want to rent 3 tablets, even if they were available on short flights.
Rethinking the AirCanada option...

 

[donkthemagicllama]

That sounds about right, when we flew YYC to LAX, the only thing that was available after we got south of the border was the PPV movies.

Apparently the bell satellites are aimed so that they only work in Canada, once you get too far south, you can't receive anything

 

[KeroKero]

So overpriced. Better to load up your own tablet or phone with things you want to watch before you leave. Or if you're not techy enough to figure out how to go that, purchase a portable DVD player.

Our portable DVD player was heaven to us before we got tablets

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Yeah, we fly WestJet pretty often, and even domestically, it's not uncommon for the seatback TVs to have issues. Load up your phone/iPad before you go. Besides, once you're used to Netflix and PVRs, normal TV seems painful. Our kids were genuinely confused when commercials came on.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

My recollection when we last flew Westjet to MCO was that PPV movies are free when flying over US soil, since they lose access to Cdn tv.

The biggest issue with Westjet is that their seatback entertainment system is getting old and unreliable. If you have kids who need to be constantly entertained, I'd have the iPad ready and fully charged.

 

[satman1962]

Apparently the bell satellites are aimed so that they only work in Canada, once you get too far south, you can't receive anything

Actually not an issue of how the satellites are aimed but rather an issue with licenses. Bell is not licensed for distribution in the US. (Or in a plane over US soil) simple as that. Used to turn a blind eye back in the day, now being enforced..

 

[KittyKat1978]

I have flown YVR to LAX several times and always had free movies (except the one time it wasn't working).

 

[DbleTheFun]

I have flown YVR to LAX several times and always had free movies (except the one time it wasn't working).

Yes this is their standard protocol. If your destination is one where Bell does not have licensing rights (ie USA) then as soon as you cross the border in flight, the channels will no longer work HOWEVER the movie channels (4 I believe) will all be unlocked from the start of your flight and will be free of charge to all guests. There is always 1 or 2 kids movies.

 

[alc571]

Weird...wonder why they would change this. When we flew Westjet in 2009 (YYZ-MCO) we had seat back TVs and they were free. I think one didn't work, but so long as the other two worked we were good.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Weird...wonder why they would change this. When we flew Westjet in 2009 (YYZ-MCO) we had seat back TVs and they were free. I think one didn't work, but so long as the other two worked we were good.

TV is still free- movie channels have always been charged. The regulations on Bell have become tighter in recent year as previous post mentioned- they cant provide service in US air space as they dont have authority to do so.... This isnt a West Jet thing, its a Bell thing.

I still much prefer this to the Air Canada selection of recorded programs any day!

 

[WishingMom]

My recollection when we last flew Westjet to MCO was that PPV movies are free when flying over US soil, since they lose access to Cdn tv.


This...

We could watch a few movies for free last month!

 

[jsebsirois]

My recollection when we last flew Westjet to MCO was that PPV movies are free when flying over US soil, since they lose access to Cdn tv.


This...

We could watch a few movies for free last month!

Same for us for last march : they didn't charge anyone for the movies so maybe you'll be lucky and won't have to pay for PPV movies.

With that being said, we always make sure we have our own entertainment options such as books, games and DVD player.

With that being said, nothing beats Air Canada In flight entertainment system but of course, service with WJ is way better... Choice, choice, choice!

One way or the other, enjoy your flight and your vacation!