How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
Oct 16, 2018, 12:34 pm
#106
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It's interesting that this thread is titled "AA how long to reverse IFE decision?" (suggesting that there will be a reversal, just a matter of when) versus "Will AA reverse IFE decision?"
Oct 16, 2018, 1:20 pm
#107
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I don't see this ever being reversed. Years back after the US/HP merger Parker ripped out the IFE (such as it was) on the US fleet. With most of the domestic capacity controlled by 4 carriers winning on product differentiation becomes less and less. Airlines begin to dominate airports from WN at BWI to DL at ATL to AA at DFW (or CLT, PHL, MIA). I haven't slightest clue how anyone could work on a laptop in Y. My company would never ask you to because it just can't be done.
Whether people prefer their own devices versus an airline installed one is debatable. However, on its own merits IFE could never provide a ROI. DL believes its part of the bigger package. But again with so few competitors within the industry having a competing edge based on service becomes less relevant.
Whether people prefer their own devices versus an airline installed one is debatable. However, on its own merits IFE could never provide a ROI. DL believes its part of the bigger package. But again with so few competitors within the industry having a competing edge based on service becomes less relevant.
Oct 16, 2018, 2:57 pm
#108
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Each airline decides its future strategy and direction. Delta wants to be an upscale, global airline and it considers IFE a part of its strategy. AA under Parker wants to be a global ULCC, and its IFE decision is part of its strategy.
Oct 16, 2018, 3:13 pm
#109
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Each seatbzck IFE installation is estimated to cost ~$5,000 and it comes with annual maintenance cost and ultimately a replacement cost. (A refit with required infrastructure might well cost more than that.) Doug Parker decided a WiFi server would be much more cost effective and lighter. It’s about profit, full stop.
Like adding 12 seats to a 737 - each of those seats is estimated to bring in ~$400,000 per year, on the average.
Heck, I’d not be overly surprised if the HP management decides to reduce pitch from 30” to the originally announced 29” after some time. I mean, another row of seats! Maybe even two? No need to add another FA, according to the FARs. (I’m tapping into their dreams now.
)I think he may be looking at Aer Lingus for guidance. No Business at all, short and mid-haul, but decent longhaul J.
Oct 16, 2018, 3:54 pm
#110
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Oct 16, 2018, 4:15 pm
#111
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I’m feeling a bit better about that with the Rockwell-Collins MiQ order, given they’re already in PE and in the 7M8 and Awaysis birds.
Oct 16, 2018, 8:42 pm
#113
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Had a nice chuckle - you call the IFE content garbage, yet there are some films loaded now that are scoring 90%+ on RT/Metacritic. This thread is a nice microcosm of elites who all have different demands and ideals.
A previous poster claims all business people are working on flights - yet I use flight time as a time to watch a movie as I rarely have time otherwise (work + two small kids.) I like the IFE quite a bit because I can find something I’d never heard of and enjoy during those hours in flight.
Oct 17, 2018, 9:46 am
#114
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It won't really change the boxes that much, it still will require power boxes, you just don't run data cables now to the IFE screens (for better or worse).
Oct 17, 2018, 11:19 am
#115
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WN and AS most certainly do have IFE, but it is BYOD.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:20 am
#116
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Oct 17, 2018, 11:26 am
#117
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B6 has complete AVOD. UA stopped putting it on new narrowbodies a while ago. The tablets on AS (free to F, for rent in coach) are one solution but not my favorite. Southwest to Hawaii with AVOD on own devices but no powerports -- oof.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:33 am
#118
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Oct 17, 2018, 11:34 am
#119
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