How long til / will reverse no seatback IFE decision?
May 17, 2019, 10:35 pm
#166
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Dozens of aircraft already have the IFE-less seats installed, with many more seats already on order for future deliveries and retrofits. It would probably be expensive to modify the seat specs to include built in IFE, plus re-do the Oasis aircraft. I don't see Mr Parker agreeing to the costs.
If anything happens, they could have the flight attendants pass out tablets. Maybe charge a fee in economy and complimentary in first class.
If anything happens, they could have the flight attendants pass out tablets. Maybe charge a fee in economy and complimentary in first class.
May 18, 2019, 7:35 am
#167
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Dozens of aircraft already have the IFE-less seats installed, with many more seats already on order for future deliveries and retrofits. It would probably be expensive to modify the seat specs to include built in IFE, plus re-do the Oasis aircraft. I don't see Mr Parker agreeing to the costs.
If anything happens, they could have the flight attendants pass out tablets. Maybe charge a fee in economy and complimentary in first class.
If anything happens, they could have the flight attendants pass out tablets. Maybe charge a fee in economy and complimentary in first class.
It shouldn’t be that big of a project, especially if they went with a new wireless IFE-system a la DL, which is supposedly 2/3 lighter than traditional systems.
May 18, 2019, 6:45 pm
#168
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True, but the new F seat is the same seat in Premium Y which has IFE and other airlines have installed seat back video in the Meridian economy seat model. Theoretically they would just need to change the seatback and add the technology and wiring etc.
It shouldn’t be that big of a project, especially if they went with a new wireless IFE-system a la DL, which is supposedly 2/3 lighter than traditional systems.
The internal debate/struggle on this is absolutely fascinating, unfortunately I can't share the details at this juncture, but there's a real debate going on about in-seat IFE and, so far, looks like a somewhat decent chance the right side
prevails.
May 18, 2019, 7:08 pm
#169
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so the ABC side gets nothing?
May 18, 2019, 8:01 pm
#170
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Somewhat off topic, but I seem to recall reading/hearing from somewhere that after US removed IFE and in-seat power in 2008 (all of their Airbus narrow body fleet had drop down LCD monitors, audio, and EmPower ports at every seat), DP personally regretted the decision to do so a couple of years afterwards. Interesting to see how this is almost the same case around 10 years later.
May 19, 2019, 4:54 pm
#171
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May 20, 2019, 7:09 am
#172
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I don't see tablets being available on flights less than 4 hours. The charge to flyers would have to more than make up for the cost of carrying and warehousing the equipment. Then there's the issue of how many tablets do you load per flight? As far as IFE I hope AA reverses it's decision, although I wouldn't hold my breathe. Using my own tablet in flight is a pain.
May 20, 2019, 7:21 am
#173
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I don't see tablets being available on flights less than 4 hours. The charge to flyers would have to more than make up for the cost of carrying and warehousing the equipment. Then there's the issue of how many tablets do you load per flight? As far as IFE I hope AA reverses it's decision, although I wouldn't hold my breathe. Using my own tablet in flight is a pain.
May 20, 2019, 8:02 am
#174
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I don't see this happening. I read somewhere that Delta has a team of 200+ people dedicated to nothing but building innovative flight products like this new version of IFE and other things to enhance the passenger experience. I would be shocked if AA had more than 20 people trying to innovate existing IT like the AA app and website much less a single person worried about creating new premium products like IFE.
May 20, 2019, 9:09 am
#175
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Somewhat off topic, but I seem to recall reading/hearing from somewhere that after US removed IFE and in-seat power in 2008 (all of their Airbus narrow body fleet had drop down LCD monitors, audio, and EmPower ports at every seat), DP personally regretted the decision to do so a couple of years afterwards. Interesting to see how this is almost the same case around 10 years later.
May 20, 2019, 9:33 am
#176
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And that doesnt solve the #1 benefit of IFE - it doesnt occupy space and require cables. Also it is mounted higher resulting in less neck bending required.
Live TV is a nice to have, even more so should they be able to carry more sport channels. And finally, it is nice to be able to use one's tray for eating, while watching a movie, for example. Simple stuff..
May 20, 2019, 9:49 am
#177
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The tighter Y seating sans the exit rows makes retrieving things from your under seat bag a pain. A few weeks ago I took a VDB ending up in non MCE seat (worth the $475 voucher for a 3 hour flight). Trying to contort myself to get my tablet out of my bag was a pain not to mention not much room to place my tablet. I think in part DL uses AVOD to take away from the fact that most paxs are squeezed into a space not really designed for most adults. Being engrossed in a free movie enables people to forget they are being herded like pigs in a pen.
May 20, 2019, 12:21 pm
#178
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The tighter Y seating sans the exit rows makes retrieving things from your under seat bag a pain. A few weeks ago I took a VDB ending up in non MCE seat (worth the $475 voucher for a 3 hour flight). Trying to contort myself to get my tablet out of my bag was a pain not to mention not much room to place my tablet. I think in part DL uses AVOD to take away from the fact that most paxs are squeezed into a space not really designed for most adults. Being engrossed in a free movie enables people to forget they are being herded like pigs in a pen.
We had friends who's DFW-LGA (A32B) flight diverted to BDL, and they commented on the fact that the IFE made the experience much less horrible.
May 21, 2019, 9:24 am
#179
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Well some good news, if only temporary, according to Lucky over at One Mile at a Time AA is suspending the "Oasis Refresh", Maybe indefinitly!
May 21, 2019, 10:01 am
#180
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The suspension is mainly due to the 737MAX groundings. There isn't much slack to allow for more planes to be out of service, especially with the busy summer season approaching.