New Aerial Views

Airlines are spending more on in-flight entertainment, and technology companies are paying attention.

Last month, for example, Sony Trans Com Inc. of Irvine announced that Continental Airlines signed up for its P@ves system, an interactive video system built into the seat. The system allows passengers to have a clear view of the screen during movie screenings and allows them to play trivia games. A remote control device is situated in each seat.

The airline plans to install these P@ves on its new fleet of Boeing 737s early next year.

Sony Trans Com also launched another system--the P@ssport--with South African Airways. The interactive system, which uses Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as an interface, lets passengers pick out videos on demand.

Marketing pressures are pushing airlines to offer personal video and interactive systems like P@ves and P@ssport throughout the cabin, not just in first class, according to recent findings by the World Airline Entertainment Assn.

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P.J. Huffstutter covers high technology for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7830 and at p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com