How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
Oct 13, 2018, 11:12 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
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I don't think removing IFE screens is a bad thing if it reduces weight and cost of their planes. But the alternative is letting people use their personal device to stream the content, which will require reliable wifi and every seat to have and power outsets. So they better be make those upgrades, otherwise might as well go all the way and just not offer the IFE content at all.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:14 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
I was on a 4 hour flight last night. Most passengers were looking at entertainment on their laptops/tablets/phones. Why should AA install expensive IFE, which has to be maintained, when practically everyone has a personal device?
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:14 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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Posts: 8,314
I was on a 4 hour flight last night. Most passengers were looking at entertainment on their laptops/tablets/phones. Why should AA install expensive IFE, which has to be maintained, when practically everyone has a personal device?
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:19 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Oct 13, 2018, 11:20 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
I don't think removing IFE screens is a bad thing if it reduces weight and cost of their planes. But the alternative is letting people use their personal device to stream the content, which will require reliable wifi and every seat to have and power outsets. So they better be make those upgrades, otherwise might as well go all the way and just not offer the IFE content at all.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:22 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 473
I know I'm probably in the minority, but I have an iPad with a case that allows it to mount to practically the back of any seat and even when I'm on an AVOD equipped AC I generally still use my iPad over the seat-back IFE. Tablets are getting better and more affordable every year and I would wager the money AA saves in installing and maintaining an AVOD system over the next 5 years will end up being worthwhile as compared to Delta.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:39 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I was on a 4 hour flight last night. Most passengers were looking at entertainment on their laptops/tablets/phones. Why should AA install expensive IFE, which has to be maintained, when practically everyone has a personal device?
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
Frankly, I wish they would put the money toward running an on-time airline. I'm tired of most flights being late for some reason or other.
I don't think removing IFE screens is a bad thing if it reduces weight and cost of their planes. But the alternative is letting people use their personal device to stream the content, which will require reliable wifi and every seat to have and power outsets. So they better be make those upgrades, otherwise might as well go all the way and just not offer the IFE content at all.
I know I'm probably in the minority, but I have an iPad with a case that allows it to mount to practically the back of any seat and even when I'm on an AVOD equipped AC I generally still use my iPad over the seat-back IFE. Tablets are getting better and more affordable every year and I would wager the money AA saves in installing and maintaining an AVOD system over the next 5 years will end up being worthwhile as compared to Delta.
And ... with over 200k actual miles and 150 segments on AA and other airlines this year, I think I've used IFE once (and that was on QR from US to Doha so its a long flight) for anything other than music. Me thinks DP thinks that the profitable business pax are busy working so they don't care about IFE.
Now ... if I could figure out how to get viasat at an affordable price -- or maybe as a benefit -- or how to work with my T-mobile gogo benefit, I'd go for that. The nice thing about DL and AS is that I can use my T-mobile gogo benefit on all their flights so I've moved 50k in miles to them this year while keeping the vast majority on AA.
IFE is a last decade thing ...
Oct 13, 2018, 11:42 am
#24
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Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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Posts: 30,005
Oct 13, 2018, 11:49 am
#25
Suspended
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Oct 13, 2018, 11:52 am
#26
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I know that Delta is hinting they may want to follow the AA approach ... notwithstanding the IFE on the 220's. If you read anything about Delta and free wifi, you'll see the CEO talking about wireless IFE. He talks about putting wireless IFE in headrests but we all know what that will actually mean. I just had a four hour flight on an AS plane in their "premium class." No IFE on a new plane but a place to put your tablet on the seat in front of you.
Oct 13, 2018, 11:55 am
#27
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Delta's TV & movie content has been stored on on-board servers for a long time. The system doesn't need a wifi connection to the ground (or satellite) to work.
I like powerports (both USB and AC) and use them often aboard Delta aircraft but if your tablet has less than eight hours of battery life on a full charge you've got the wrong tablet.
Oct 13, 2018, 12:00 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Doug Parker is looking to Spirit and Allegient for his inspiration, not Delta. That's why I status matched over. Economy in DL is a much better experience - IFE, power, wider seats on widebodies. I'm willing to connect to my destination (PHX = AA hub) for those reasons domestically.
Although I will admit that for international business class I am not running from AA/Oneworld. Their 777 and 787 hard product is great, as are the Flagship lounges.
Although I will admit that for international business class I am not running from AA/Oneworld. Their 777 and 787 hard product is great, as are the Flagship lounges.
Oct 13, 2018, 12:03 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Plat, UA P1K
Posts: 84
I know that Delta is hinting they may want to follow the AA approach ... notwithstanding the IFE on the 220's. If you read anything about Delta and free wifi, you'll see the CEO talking about wireless IFE. He talks about putting wireless IFE in headrests but we all know what that will actually mean. I just had a four hour flight on an AS plane in their "premium class." No IFE on a new plane but a place to put your tablet on the seat in front of you.
And ... with over 200k actual miles and 150 segments on AA and other airlines this year, I think I've used IFE once (and that was on QR from US to Doha so its a long flight) for anything other than music. Me thinks DP thinks that the profitable business pax are busy working so they don't care about IFE.
Now ... if I could figure out how to get viasat at an affordable price -- or maybe as a benefit -- or how to work with my T-mobile gogo benefit, I'd go for that. The nice thing about DL and AS is that I can use my T-mobile gogo benefit on all their flights so I've moved 50k in miles to them this year while keeping the vast majority on AA.
IFE is a last decade thing ...
And ... with over 200k actual miles and 150 segments on AA and other airlines this year, I think I've used IFE once (and that was on QR from US to Doha so its a long flight) for anything other than music. Me thinks DP thinks that the profitable business pax are busy working so they don't care about IFE.
Now ... if I could figure out how to get viasat at an affordable price -- or maybe as a benefit -- or how to work with my T-mobile gogo benefit, I'd go for that. The nice thing about DL and AS is that I can use my T-mobile gogo benefit on all their flights so I've moved 50k in miles to them this year while keeping the vast majority on AA.
IFE is a last decade thing ...
Oct 13, 2018, 12:07 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Whether it will stay that way in 2-3 years or whether installed IFE will continue on any of the US3 is to be determined.
Wireless installations of IFE save a lot of weight and money. The next logical thing after a wireless installation is to skip the installation of the IFE ... and just let pax go with the wireless. I can't say what UA is doing but other than DL and AA (and perhaps UA) every other US airlines is avoiding IFE. And AS rents tablets on its flights ... yet another revenue source.