Tips for Avoiding Seatback IFE
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
Tips for Avoiding Seatback IFE
I really never thought I'd post this, but I'm developing something of an allergy to IFE systems. Basically, I've found that if there isn't a digital screen in front of me I enjoy a flight more (especially since even if I shut my screen off, invariably there's one on next to me). The best analogy I can come up with is that of why I don't like sports bars: Even if the TV is muted, the digital screen distracts me.
So, is there any advice for avoiding seatback IFE systems on major carriers (I'm mainly thinking DL since I fly them more than the other larger domestic carriers...VX excepted, and mercifully in F their screens hide in the armrest ad don't come out to play if you don't want them to)?
So, is there any advice for avoiding seatback IFE systems on major carriers (I'm mainly thinking DL since I fly them more than the other larger domestic carriers...VX excepted, and mercifully in F their screens hide in the armrest ad don't come out to play if you don't want them to)?
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
The solution for some is to use blindfolds. Delta seems to give them out even in economy class to all its passengers on its TATL and TPAC flights.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: AVL
Programs: DL DM MM; Hilton Diamond; Hertz 5*
Posts: 706
When you are booking a flight on Delta it should have a series of icons next the flight - or you can click on the flight number which will also bring up the icons. Those icons will tell you if there is IFE and whether it is setback or overhead.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,655
Any new United 737 would be a great start. No IFE there. Or their aging Airbus A3xx, most of them are dark as well. Or their geriatric 747 fleet with the TV's on the ceiling.
In fact I can thoroughly recommend United for a lack of seatback IFE.
In fact I can thoroughly recommend United for a lack of seatback IFE.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
Thanks for the advice...it's actually quite useful.
As mentioned, the issue is that I'll usually want to poke away on my computer or read a book, so blindfolds are sort of a non-starter since I don't know Braille (and no, that's not me being snarky). On my present B6 flight we ended up with a plane swap (E190 replaced by A320) and the result has been a load factor right out of the 1970s (EMS is all but empty and as far as I can tell they threw some non-revs into an exit row to avoid a problem; and the rest of the plane has about a 75% load factor...I nearly had 8A-C all to myself, but a last-second standby pax got tossed in with me) so I was able to kill my IFE and the one next to me...but I had to cut them off about three times to make it "stick". On the bright side, B6 didn't have a safety video that was "trying too hard" on this flight (IMHO VX's is amusing and ear-wormy [in a way I appreciate], but DL/UA's just get annoying).
It sounds like United is probably my best bet on this front (regional jets aside). One thing I'll say is that a bulkhead seat is no guarantee of this...if I'm in row 1 on DL (and IIRC the front MCS row on VX is the same way), all that gets me is an IFE screen that's inconveniently far away and thus harder to turn off.
As mentioned, the issue is that I'll usually want to poke away on my computer or read a book, so blindfolds are sort of a non-starter since I don't know Braille (and no, that's not me being snarky). On my present B6 flight we ended up with a plane swap (E190 replaced by A320) and the result has been a load factor right out of the 1970s (EMS is all but empty and as far as I can tell they threw some non-revs into an exit row to avoid a problem; and the rest of the plane has about a 75% load factor...I nearly had 8A-C all to myself, but a last-second standby pax got tossed in with me) so I was able to kill my IFE and the one next to me...but I had to cut them off about three times to make it "stick". On the bright side, B6 didn't have a safety video that was "trying too hard" on this flight (IMHO VX's is amusing and ear-wormy [in a way I appreciate], but DL/UA's just get annoying).
It sounds like United is probably my best bet on this front (regional jets aside). One thing I'll say is that a bulkhead seat is no guarantee of this...if I'm in row 1 on DL (and IIRC the front MCS row on VX is the same way), all that gets me is an IFE screen that's inconveniently far away and thus harder to turn off.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LAX
Posts: 42
#13
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,531
Surprised no one has said fly some Legacy US Air planes! Although with cross fleeting it will be a little harder, but take some flights through CLT or PHX and you'll have no worries
#14
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 37,906
Spirit is also IFE-less. Also haven't seen it lately on Frontier.
You know you're a real introvert when you can do an entire 12- or 13-hour transpac with the IFE either off or on "flight plan" the whole time.^ There's reading, sleep, meals, and a lot of time trying to sleep but it being outside your circadian rhythm. If you have enough thoughts swirling in that tired-but-not-quite asleep mode and don't need to turn on the IFE, there's a good chance you're an introvert. Which in that situation can be advantageous.
You know you're a real introvert when you can do an entire 12- or 13-hour transpac with the IFE either off or on "flight plan" the whole time.^ There's reading, sleep, meals, and a lot of time trying to sleep but it being outside your circadian rhythm. If you have enough thoughts swirling in that tired-but-not-quite asleep mode and don't need to turn on the IFE, there's a good chance you're an introvert. Which in that situation can be advantageous.