Originally Posted by
weero
I agree 100%. I value proper IFE a lot more than E+ these days. The bad or nonexistent IFE on UA paired with the abominable foot are the main reasons I stay clear of UA coach these days.
Another key element of IFE is that it keeps the families and kids quiet. So even if the streaming thing were for real, it would not really do the same job as an SQ style AVOD.
This discussion is fascinating to me. FT has lots of broad consensuses -- e.g., J >> Y, you have the right to recline your seat, Koito seats stink, nuts must be warm, etc. So it's fascinating to see a subject where people have totally different perspectives,
especially when it doesn't immediately mushroom into a religious war (e.g., kids in F, TODs, UA-vs-CO, seat recline).
Anyway, for what it's worth, I'm kinda with
LordTentacle on this one. I'm okay with the 747 in Y (even to SYD), but that's because I have my own careful strategy:
1. Make sure I get 45C or 45H (or the other exit row in an emergency),
2. Bring fully charged devices,
3. Bring a good book,
4. Use a suitcase or camp stool for a footrest,
5. Ambien.
Basically, if you get an infinite-legroom seat and view it as a camping experience, I think the 747 can be fine. I mean, I just flew SYD-SFO in J, and the only things I did with the IFE were: (1) checked the map, and (2) scrolled through the entire list of movies and didn't want to watch any. Instead, I ate dinner, had 3 glasses of wine, slept for 9 hours, and happily read a Kindle book for 5 hours. Which I could have done reasonably well in Y too (albeit with worse food, wine, and sleep).
On the other hand, if you're really depending on being entertained -- or if you can't select one of the good E+ seats -- then, yeah, the 747 is a catastrophe. For example, if I was flying with my 6-yo daughter, I'd have a totally different perspective. The IFE really is a huge plus if you have kids (although a carefully prepped tablet can substitute pretty well).