What is the future of IFE ?
Feb 10, 2016, 7:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,958
Currently most airlines have big screen IFE with hundreds of movies, even in Y. With the advent of smartphones and tablets and now even in-flight wifi , this might become obsolete in the near future as airlines can stream movies wirelessly in the cabin even without Internet connection. This would save lots of weight while passengers do have still their IFE on their own devices.
What do you think about. this?
What do you think about. this?
I don't like it at all, because of a lack of comfort -- you either place your device on the tray table (therefore needing to strain your neck by looking down), or lift it up to eye level (therefore tiring out your arms).
Feb 16, 2016, 4:25 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 217
This is in place already in some LCC's (for example - Singapore's Scoot).
I don't like it at all, because of a lack of comfort -- you either place your device on the tray table (therefore needing to strain your neck by looking down), or lift it up to eye level (therefore tiring out your arms).
I don't like it at all, because of a lack of comfort -- you either place your device on the tray table (therefore needing to strain your neck by looking down), or lift it up to eye level (therefore tiring out your arms).
I think the market is going to diverge between two options:
- ULCCs, LCCs, regional, and possibly non-transcontinental domestic (excluding premium NYC-SFO/LAX routes) will go Wi-Fi only long term.
- International and premium domestic routes will keep the screens.
Obviously having screens is better than no screens to most passengers, but if the flight is three hours or less it just really doesn't make that big of a difference at all.
A more pressing problem is the amount of content. On recent AA/VX/B6 flights from SFO-JFK, the free content was pretty much nonexistent.
Feb 8, 2017, 7:35 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
I found this article and then dugged up this thread I started a year ago in which I ask about the same.
Feb 8, 2017, 8:15 am
#20
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Although my ideal IFE is merely to stand up, walk around and either read/chat with someone in the aft galley, when that's not possible, I'll then choose from music, movies, or the moving map. Mmhmm.
On a couple of recent flights, when the seatback tv wasn't functioning (NH J, J2 Y), an FA brought a tablet over. I wish seats had a built-in space to house tablets/phones...
On a couple of recent flights, when the seatback tv wasn't functioning (NH J, J2 Y), an FA brought a tablet over. I wish seats had a built-in space to house tablets/phones...
Feb 8, 2017, 3:54 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 104
I rarely travel with my computer or my tablet, specially on vacation, and I absolutely hate to watch anything over 1 minute on the cellphone screen. Therefore, I find the IFE screen to be very convenient. I would not like to see them go away at all.
Feb 9, 2017, 7:15 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SEA, ORD, SFO
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, AA PLT, DL GM, SPG GLD, Hyatt GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 202
Also see: https://www.wired.com/2015/08/airhoo...r-kickstarter/
It makes sense that all the hardwired IFE goes away (along with all the associated gear, and weight it adds). It had its time, but it's so easy to stream to your device now. I just watched a movie last night on Alaska on my Macbook Pro (on one of the E75's: no other IFE option on those) and it was just fine. The only downside is that for the moment the selection on the DigiPlayers seems to have more current stuff (perhaps a licensing issue?).
Now if they could just increase the Gogo connection speeds to the internet...
Feb 10, 2017, 10:26 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
Yeah, I still feel the same way. I generally have my cell phone with me but I don't want to use it for IFE. I want to read or play games or whatever while I half pay attention to the IFE.
