How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
Oct 13, 2018, 12:15 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
Nothing is going to stop a certain subset of flyers from vociferously yearning for last-generation technology. I just hope AA doesn't listen to them.
Oct 13, 2018, 12:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
I think if AA removed IFE and justified that with something else - "because we removed IFE we now offer free snacks in Y', we would see this as something else other than a cost cutting measure
Honestly I don't understand the strategy behind this airline. They seem to be simultaneously improving the premium experience (FL, F dining, PE) while making Y/nonstatus as horrible as possible (Oasis, no IFE - though that applies to F too, IRROPS changes). Okay, fine... But if you're going to do that, don't you want more inventory to sell? Instead of converting Y to PE, they convert J to PE. And while the 321s will have a decent# of F seats, I honestly expected more. But maybe Doug has something up his sleeves...
Honestly I don't understand the strategy behind this airline. They seem to be simultaneously improving the premium experience (FL, F dining, PE) while making Y/nonstatus as horrible as possible (Oasis, no IFE - though that applies to F too, IRROPS changes). Okay, fine... But if you're going to do that, don't you want more inventory to sell? Instead of converting Y to PE, they convert J to PE. And while the 321s will have a decent# of F seats, I honestly expected more. But maybe Doug has something up his sleeves...
Oct 13, 2018, 1:29 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,982
Seatback IFE appeals way more to the Leisure crowd than the business traveler. On a typical flight i see at least a third of them off with folks either working or sleeping.
The wailing about lack of seatback TVs reminds me of the complaints about the early collection of head sets. This day in age- I don't know know of any regular business travelers that dont own their own tablet and NC headsets.
The wailing about lack of seatback TVs reminds me of the complaints about the early collection of head sets. This day in age- I don't know know of any regular business travelers that dont own their own tablet and NC headsets.
Last edited by DataPlumber; Oct 13, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Oct 13, 2018, 4:04 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Does the presence of in-seat IFE interfere with your ability to read a book? I also enjoy catching up on my magazines and news while in flight, but what's wrong with the option of built in IFE?
Oct 13, 2018, 4:42 pm
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,550
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.
Seems a great option to me
Oct 13, 2018, 5:02 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
If you want to use your laptop instead, great! It's funny though how DL continues to kick AA's behind in every metric, yet they're the ones wasting money on PTVs.
Oct 13, 2018, 5:03 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
And regarding the headset, just because we can dig our headsets out for the last 30 minutes, doesn't mean it should be necessary in some of our opinion.
Oct 13, 2018, 5:13 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
I am DFW-based and have switched to DL where it makes sense (including if I have to make a connection, as long as it’s logical). I really value IFE, but it’s much more about what the IFE represents than what it actually is. It’s also about employee attitude. It’s just so much nicer of an experience to fly DL now. Food in F may not be quite as substantial, but it’s much better quality, and I feel respected and valued rather than an inconvenience.
Oct 13, 2018, 5:20 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Seatback IFE appeals way more to the Leisure crowd than the business traveler. On a typical flight i see at least a third of them off with folks either working or sleeping.
The wailing about lack of seatback TVs reminds me of the complaints about the early collection of head sets. This day in age- I don't know know of any regular business travelers that dont own their own tablet and NC headsets.
The wailing about lack of seatback TVs reminds me of the complaints about the early collection of head sets. This day in age- I don't know know of any regular business travelers that dont own their own tablet and NC headsets.
And even if I have my iPad or laptop, sometimes I like to multitask and use it for something else while watching TV. Streaming content to your own device offers no value for me, a screen offers a ton.
But like I said, even though I really value the screens, it’s much more about what they represent to me than what they are.
Oct 13, 2018, 5:30 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,970
I own an iPad and an iPhone (and NC headphones). I often don’t want to lug my iPad along if I have to bring my laptop, and I don’t want to watch a movie on my laptop or phone. Even if I’m not bringing my laptop and am traveling for leisure, I like to bring as few devices as possible that I use for work—if there’s any way to get a break, I try.
And even if I have my iPad or laptop, sometimes I like to multitask and use it for something else while watching TV. Streaming content to your own device offers no value for me, a screen offers a ton.
But like I said, even though I really value the screens, it’s much more about what they represent to me than what they are.
I can't speak for the max as I haven't seen one yet in Dallas.
Oct 13, 2018, 5:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Why does everyone have to have your preference? Why not just not use a service you don’t care about? Why would you want to take away options for other customers?
Oct 13, 2018, 5:54 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
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.
And phones don’t count as screens! I notice that even including in F on AA flights with PTVs, 1/2 to 2/3 of people are using them, more in the evenings. On DL it seems to be more like 3/4, again especially on evening flights.
Last edited by TXguy; Oct 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm