The iPads will be fitted with a custom case containing a second battery so they can run for over 20 hours between recharges.
The cases will be swapped out during the aircraft’s turn-around time, although the iPads themselves will remain on board, with freshly charged battery packs being brought on board and fitted to the iPads for their next leg.
A flip-stand on the case will allow passengers to rest the iPad horizontally on the seat’s tray table, while the case also contains an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip to help prevent the iPad being stolen by light-fingered passengers.
The new iPads have been designed to appeal to everyone in the family by offering movies, children’s e-books, music clips, magazines and games with new content each month. The children’s e-books will be updated bi-monthly, all of which are written and illustrated by primary school-aged children. Child Writes literacy advocate Emma Mactaggart said, “We’re thrilled to partner with the iPads and connect with the thousands of children and families that travel with them.”