How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
#61
Join Date: Jan 2012
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One reason is that “option” - at least on AA - takes away a lot of underseat storage (or foot) space. Even if I don’t use the IFE I have to put up with that.
#62
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 700
#63
Join Date: Oct 2013
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#64
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Well - it does cost money to carry all the IFE , so not just a service to simply provide or not provide - AA , it seems, is providing an alternative by offering wifi broadcast
If AA thinks that it will make more money by providing fixed IFE , I expect that it will change its mind and do so
If AA thinks that it will make more money by providing fixed IFE , I expect that it will change its mind and do so
#65
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, DL UA
Posts: 457
TXGuy, we're birds of a feather in terms of the IFE and what it represents. Even though I often fly premium cabins now I like that DL isn't going 10-across on their 777s, for example and will put my money where my mouth is. I won't connect in LAX to go to SFO, but I will connect in ATL to get to EWR or PHL instead of the nonstop.
#67
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Probably someone who doesn’t fly very often. I’ve been on enough planes to have pretty much seen all the AVOD has to offer, so I would vote for nonstop most of the time to get to my destination. I will occasionally go out of my way though if it’s suitable to run up the extra miles to hit a status tier.
#68
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DFW
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Posts: 1,112
IMO the IFE content (movies) has degraded over the last 6 months. Or whoever their deal with is just producing garbage. Personally I use the IFE in the background while working on my laptop. Seen everything I want to see, some of the stuff is just unwatchable, and I've tried.
People are so absolute.
People are so absolute.
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.
#69
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
spending less and getting same revenue => more profit
#70
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
And yet AA is getting much less in the way of revenue (proportionately) than DL. The critical miscalculation that you (and AA) have made is that spending less will lead to the same revenue. Actual data shows it isn’t true.
#71
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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maybe it has made a mistake - maybe revenur levels vs DL are just down to IFE - if it actually is a big issue that will drive customers to Delta, then I expect that it will reconsider what it does. Of the percentage that want to watch IFE on a domestic flight, I wonder what percentage are really that bopposed to a streming option that they woll move to another carrier
#72
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
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To be honest, based on my conversations with the people in my organization who travel, DL wins more of their business because of better schedules and better operations, not because of a screen. Personally I stick mostly with AA because I have status (will hit Plat this year), but I have switched some to DL. On my most frequent route, DL has more frequency and better times. They're gradually winning more of my business that way. And I happened to notice they have more at-seat power, which is a plus for me. They also offer cheap buy-up to F, so lack of upgrades isn't an issue.
If you care that much about a screen, vote with your wallet!
#73
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,137
That's like saying AA's flagship lounge dining causes lower revenue on AA. We have zero proof one way or the other.
#74
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
But companies care about profit, not revenue. Profit is revenue minus cost. Thus, it is possible that AA could bring in less revenue while spending less, and still wind up with the same or better profit. There's not necessarily one right strategy here.
To be honest, based on my conversations with the people in my organization who travel, DL wins more of their business because of better schedules and better operations, not because of a screen. Personally I stick mostly with AA because I have status (will hit Plat this year), but I have switched some to DL. On my most frequent route, DL has more frequency and better times. They're gradually winning more of my business that way. And I happened to notice they have more at-seat power, which is a plus for me. They also offer cheap buy-up to F, so lack of upgrades isn't an issue.
If you care that much about a screen, vote with your wallet!
To be honest, based on my conversations with the people in my organization who travel, DL wins more of their business because of better schedules and better operations, not because of a screen. Personally I stick mostly with AA because I have status (will hit Plat this year), but I have switched some to DL. On my most frequent route, DL has more frequency and better times. They're gradually winning more of my business that way. And I happened to notice they have more at-seat power, which is a plus for me. They also offer cheap buy-up to F, so lack of upgrades isn't an issue.
If you care that much about a screen, vote with your wallet!
And as I’ve also said, IFE is just one piece of the puzzle for me. It’s also the attitude of the staff, the on-time record, legroom and seat padding on the new/Oasis planes, width in Y on 777s, etc. IFE is one part of it, but it’s certainly not the only thing that’s causing me to shift my business to Delta.
Last edited by TXguy; Oct 14, 2018 at 2:57 pm
#75
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Is this thread also on the UA forum? Because they are not putting seatback AVOD on their narrowbody fleet either.