By Mary Kirby

Qantas Airways’ low-cost subsidiary Jetstar has selected DigEcor’s latest generation portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for its new Airbus A330-200s and its existing A320 fleet.

Already a customer of DigEcor’s current DigEplayer, Jetstar is leasing 1,600 units of the manufacturer’s new XT system, DigEcor executives today told Flight at the World Airline Entertainment Association conference and exhibition in Miami.

Financial terms have not been disclosed.

“I am thrilled that Jetstar will offer the new DigEplayer XT onboard all our low-fare flights,” says the carrier’s group general manager Bruce Buchanan.

“The DigEplayer XT is another way we can lead the market in delivering the best entertainment experience to our customers while meeting our requirements for low-cost implementation and operation. This unit has it all.”

Headquartered in Melbourne, Jetstar currently operates A320s domestically and to New Zealand.

However, it is planning to introduce international long-haul service on an interim fleet of A330-200s, before transitioning to 12 new Boeing 787 aircraft.

Use of the DigEplayer XT units on long-haul flights will begin in November.

Additionally, from January, Jetstar will also upgrade to DigEplayer XT systems on its A320 fleet.

Jetstar is the second airline to announce plans to launch the new generation offering from DigEcor. Pakistan International Airlines yesterday revealed it is acquiring the systems for use on its Airbus A310s and Boeing 777s.

Like its predecessor, the DigEplayer XT is preprogrammed with movies, television shows, cartoons, videos, music and games. However, it offers a larger screen, built-in card swipe, wireless technology and longer battery life.

DigEcor has now secured more than 30 customers for its DigEplayer portable system. The company’s embedded platform, the DigEsystem, will be launched in six months, says DigEcor president Gregory Beeston.