[ricks_place]

Very likely that the Aircraft Systems Network is completely separate from the Aircraft Entertainment Network. Cross connecting the Aircraft Systems Network with the public would be negligent. Perhaps a struggling competitor is propagating this redherring.

[CodeMasterPhilzar]

I'm thinking they may be able to be linked. For example, it would make maintenance checks much quicker if you could physically flip a switch, link any/all networks on the aircraft, and access their logs etc. to look for maintenance problems. Then physically isolate the networks to return it to flight configuration...