Originally Posted by
boltjames
This.
IFE systems are being phased out due to obsolescence, weight, cost, maintenance, and lack of use.
With my iPad and my MacBook giving me over 20 hours of battery life, the only time I use a seatback screen is when I have to clear my tray of my devices to eat a meal. And it's a rregretable experience as the screen is blurry and the sound quality is hissy and terrible.
Streaming airline content only goes so far now that Netflix has offline viewing, I just disregard it and watch my downloaded Netflix and iTunes movies and TV shows.
What I would recommend is a browser based airline system that lets me see a really good flight map, order my meal, ping a flight attendant, schedule an Uber, and get free high speed wi-fi. We have most of that today.
BJ
Agree with all of the above. Airlines already have feature movies and (at least in the US) television content from networks and HBO. It's only a matter of time before they contract for original content from streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
I really like the idea of browser- or app-based requests for things like meal/snack/drink requests. Also, they already allow for using wifi for free to access things like flight maps and the airline's website. Should be easy enough to integrate things like Uber/Lyft scheduling, checked baggage information, hotel sites, etc.