As we all know, American has become a distant third among the “big three” US carriers when it comes to both profitability and passenger experience. The issue is that American has essentially squandered the past decade plus trying to become less premium, focusing on a strategy of “the schedule is the product.” Suffice it to say that the airline has realized that this strategy doesn’t work (as have employees, customers, and investors).
In recent times, we’ve seen American try to become more premium once again, realizing that’s the only way to compete with Delta and United. So along those lines, it looks like American is considering reversing one of its most controversial decisions in recent years.
In this post:
American may greatly revamp inflight entertainment
CNBC reports that bringing back seat back TVs on most of American’s narrow body mainline aircraft is under “serious consideration,” and a decision could be made as soon as next month. This is according to “a person familiar with the matter,” so we’ll see what comes of this, and this remains highly unconfirmed.
This would be part of a larger revamp of American’s inflight entertainment on narrow body planes. The plans also include discussions with SpaceX’s Starlink, and Amazon’s Leo, to potentially provide higher speed inflight Wi-Fi.
American is also reportedly in talks with Amazon about providing content for the seat back entertainment, which could include Amazon Prime, music, and potentially shopping, allowing customers to redeem AAdvantage miles for purchases (not that it would be a great value). It goes without saying that any project to add back seat back TVs would be costly and take years to complete.
American did recently roll out free inflight Wi-Fi on most aircraft, in partnership with Viasat. However, Delta definitely has the edge when it comes to entertainment overall, while United is currently on track to become the industry leader, between introducing modern seat back entertainment on most planes, while also rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi.
Adding credibility to the concept of this report, JonNYC points out that American’s fairly new Chief Commercial Officer, Nat Pieper, was at Delta back in 2009-2015, and was head of fleet of the airline, and that’s largely when decisions were made to introduce seat back TVs.
My take on American’s potential reversal on entertainment
It’s nice to see American trying to improve its passenger experience as of late, as we’ve really seen the airline make some strides. As I’ve repeatedly said, here’s the issue, as I see it, in terms of this strategy having a material impact:
- American is a distant third to Delta and United when it comes to passenger experience, financial performance, and service, and those airlines are also greatly investing in their experience, so it’s hard to catch up under those circumstances (not that I trust his narrative, and he’s certainly biased, but United CEO Scott Kirby thinks that American is totally cooked)
- The biggest issue is that American has completely squandered the past decade, and the fact that the airline went from installing seat back TVs to just ripping them out years later is absolutely wild to me; the airline literally spent money to make the passenger experience worse
- I actually don’t think that lack of seat back TVs is among American’s top five issues, and I think what’s most important is focusing on customer service, reliability, expanding its long haul route network, etc.
Here’s the thing, and this is something that I’ve said pretty consistently. I understand that in theory seat back TVs are appealing, but I’m actually not someone who cares all that much about them.
I might be in the minority, but the issue is that technology is changing at such a fast pace, and it’s incredible how fast a cabin with TVs can go from looking modern and cutting edge, to just looking terribly outdated.
So yeah, if American introduces seat back TVs, that’s great. I don’t think it’s a game changer, necessarily, and I care more about the airline introducing true high speed Wi-Fi, like Starlink.
Bottom line
American is reportedly seriously considering reintroducing seat back TVs throughout its narrow body fleet, along with adding higher speed Wi-Fi. American has fallen behind Delta and United in recent years when it comes to customer experience, after first introducing TVs, only to then spend years ripping them out.
While I don’t think TVs as such will solve American’s problems, it is a sign that American management realizes the extent to which they’ve screwed up. It remains to be seen if American can actually make up lost ground, or if it’s too late to right the ship.
What do you make of the prospect of American adding back seat back TVs on narrow body planes?
I avoid AA domestic flights because of the lack of an IFE unit.
That's just too Southwest and Frontier for me.
I agree that the seatback entertainment needs to return. I've been an avid American traveler for a long time and the shift that this company took after the US Airways merger has been horrendous. Getting this back is a start, but after they spent so much money to remove these systems, should they spend that much again to reinstall or should this be added through aircraft purchases and attrition? I just don't want travelers to...
I agree that the seatback entertainment needs to return. I've been an avid American traveler for a long time and the shift that this company took after the US Airways merger has been horrendous. Getting this back is a start, but after they spent so much money to remove these systems, should they spend that much again to reinstall or should this be added through aircraft purchases and attrition? I just don't want travelers to absorb that cost. Greed has cost American big time. They really need to focus on customer service, ontime performance, and I wish if anything, they consider removing a couple of rows to increase seat pitch for everyone. They did this years ago under legacy leadership and it was amazing before this was reversed and actually packed in more seats. They retired fairly young widebodies (A330s) during covid and regretted it when 787 delays happened. This helped manifest fleet shortages and delayed new route startups. The current leadership is running American into the ground. It's basically a high end low cost carrier at this point. Hopefully it's not too late.
Yesterday we were teaching my 10 yr old grandson about the term "competitive advantage" and he said that is like Delta having a TV screen and AA not. "Isn't that a competitive advantage papa?" I said yes. You understand that word completely.
Don’t care. I packed my phone and tablet with plenty of content. Just stop selling me damned credit cards.
The proletariat are starting to get it …. pay with points, pay peanuts and get treated like monkeys.
Get treated like monkeys by the U.S. airlines and the proletariat start acting like gorillas. This monkey business is changing and hopefully for the better. If the proletariat are entertained while travelling from feeding ground to playground, then the gorilla types might well behave …. Yes? …. :-)
Fortunately despite their great size and strength, Gorillas are much more peaceful and gentlemanly than any monkeys. In parts of Asia monkeys have learnt to steal smartphones from tourists and then withhold them until given a suitable number of sweet treats.
Nice one Frederik, thank you for the grin …. :-)
The lack of seatback IFE signals the lack of care for passenger experience. If passengers don't want IFE and prefer streaming through personal devices, AA should rip them out on all their long-haul aircraft, including in business class. Let's be on ZIP Air, business class. Just because a segment of passengers prefer doing without IFE, it doesn't mean it is the right decision. The argument of fuel efficiency is silly, as all the airlines, including...
The lack of seatback IFE signals the lack of care for passenger experience. If passengers don't want IFE and prefer streaming through personal devices, AA should rip them out on all their long-haul aircraft, including in business class. Let's be on ZIP Air, business class. Just because a segment of passengers prefer doing without IFE, it doesn't mean it is the right decision. The argument of fuel efficiency is silly, as all the airlines, including AA, are adding more and more premium seats, which weigh a ton. Give me a break.
The true insult is how often AA's USB charger doesn't work in flight. They tell passengers to use their personal devices, yet don't provide reliable charging. With mobile power bank catching fire left and right on flights, AA's lack of IFE is a joke.
The tablet/iPhone holder does not work for me - I have an iPad Pro that is too large for the holder and I have zero interest in watching IFE on my iPhone or carrying around a second smaller tablet.
This is a positive development. Those who prefer to use their own device can continue to do so, those who like having the map up on the IFE while using their personal device to watch...
The tablet/iPhone holder does not work for me - I have an iPad Pro that is too large for the holder and I have zero interest in watching IFE on my iPhone or carrying around a second smaller tablet.
This is a positive development. Those who prefer to use their own device can continue to do so, those who like having the map up on the IFE while using their personal device to watch movies or read books can do so, those who prefer to turn off the IFE or plug in their device into the IFE to watch their own downloaded content can do so, those who have no interest can turn off the IFE.
This provides more choices for a broader audience rather than the current set up which offers less choices. Not to mention IFE can turn into a positive customer service feature (I.e. want another can of soda? Feeling peckish and want to purchase a snack? Want to pull up some flight/travel information? What meals will be served on the flight? Need to put in a request for help with the FA?) without needing to rely on the call button or flagging down an FA.
The upside by far outweigh the downside.
Although James doesn’t have a tablet and (as he stomps his foot to proclaim) won’t buy one, the vast majority have, at a minimum, to entertain themselves.
IFE is expensive to procure and install. IFE is excess weight to carry. IFE is constant broken; it’s expensive to maintain and then pay compensation (because everyone wants something free.
Ditch IFE! Tell people to bring their own devices - and tell James to bring a book!
In other words, "let them eat cake"?
Maybe American needs a SONG to get back on track. Apparently the SONG approach to seatback entertainment almost 20 years ago provided significant enough data to influence AVOD entertainment on DL to this day. However, is this data still relevant in 2026? I guess we will know soon enough, cause apparently it hasn’t benefited B6 all that much or they would not be as disadvantaged as they seem to be presently.
I get the efficiency argument around personal devices, but I think the market reality tells a different story. Two of the big three have kept seatback screens, and one hasn’t and it’s pretty clear which product feels more premium to the average traveler.
Also, personal devices aren’t always a true substitute. For a lot of people, phones are tied to work, messages, payments, etc., so using them doesn’t really feel like disconnecting. A seatback screen...
I get the efficiency argument around personal devices, but I think the market reality tells a different story. Two of the big three have kept seatback screens, and one hasn’t and it’s pretty clear which product feels more premium to the average traveler.
Also, personal devices aren’t always a true substitute. For a lot of people, phones are tied to work, messages, payments, etc., so using them doesn’t really feel like disconnecting. A seatback screen creates a more relaxed, “offline” experience, especially on longer flights.
I also wonder if this is one of those cases where frequent flyers/reviewers see it differently than the broader market. A lot of premium demand today is increasingly leisure based, where comfort and perception matter more than efficiency.
Even if screens aren’t strictly necessary, Delta and United have a clear edge in look and feel, and that likely plays a role in attracting higher-paying passengers. At some point perception matters just as much as practicality.
Thatfully that Vasu guy or whatever his name is has been booted by AA. He made a poor airline bad. Dufus
I’m a book reader when I fly but I sure miss the route map availability.
After they study (hire Vasu as
con-sultant), decide, and finally re install seat back screens with GREAT FANFARE might they look at their lingering flight attendant apathy problem. Don’t get me wrong, most flight attendants do their difficult job with great professionalism and courtesy. Every few flights, however, there seems to be a flight attendant determined to spread...
I’m a book reader when I fly but I sure miss the route map availability.
After they study (hire Vasu as
con-sultant), decide, and finally re install seat back screens with GREAT FANFARE might they look at their lingering flight attendant apathy problem. Don’t get me wrong, most flight attendants do their difficult job with great professionalism and courtesy. Every few flights, however, there seems to be a flight attendant determined to spread their anger, bitterness and ill will at will for no apparent reason.
I’m a book reader when I fly but I sure miss the route map availability.
After they study (hire Vasu as
con-sultant), decide, and finally re install seat back screens with GREAT FANFARE might they look at their lingering flight attendant apathy problem. Don’t get me wrong, most flight attendants do their difficult job with great professionalism and courtesy. Every few flights, however, there seems to be a flight attendant determined to spread...
I’m a book reader when I fly but I sure miss the route map availability.
After they study (hire Vasu as
con-sultant), decide, and finally re install seat back screens with GREAT FANFARE might they look at their lingering flight attendant apathy problem. Don’t get me wrong, most flight attendants do their difficult job with great professionalism and courtesy. Every few flights, however, there seems to be a flight attendant determined to spread their anger, bitterness and ill will at will for no apparent reason.
The only negative about IFE screens is that if I power mine off to have less light when I sleep (sometimes the brightness even gets in through gaps around eyeshades), I want it to stay off bar some sort of urgent display on there. I flew on a B6 flight late at night recently and no matter how many times I powered it off, it would come on again after 10 minutes and show ads...
The only negative about IFE screens is that if I power mine off to have less light when I sleep (sometimes the brightness even gets in through gaps around eyeshades), I want it to stay off bar some sort of urgent display on there. I flew on a B6 flight late at night recently and no matter how many times I powered it off, it would come on again after 10 minutes and show ads until I turned it off again! Couldn’t drape something over it since seat in front of me was occupied.
I don’t have a strong opinion other than that AA should do it right or not do it at all. That means buying nice screens and not using them to force passengers to watch a lot of advertising.
I fly United and Delta use seat back screens all the time. Being able to connect to different entertainment offered on a seat back touch screen rather than fumble around with my personal device saves my battery. It also saves me the laborious process of connecting to sometimes iffy on board WiFi if there’s a technical glitch, which happens more often than I would like..
I came here to say this same thing. Not having to put away your device to get out of the seat, fumble with wires, have clear space on your tray, are all good things especially on longer flights.
Only crAAppy airlines lock you with your kids from San Diego to New York with ZERO screens.
That's your problem for 1) breeding, 2) living in San Diego, andc3) going to the worst city in the known universe. So stuff it, cow whose milk is free.
Wow, so angry over something so benign
Entitlement whoredom because you shoved out an infant sets me off.
Cool well when you start an airline you can ban all kids and parents. Until then, I guess AA may have found it beneficial to bring screens back, in part because of kids. But I’m sure they will value your feedback.
All children, all parents, and all women. It's my dream.
what an idiotic and stupid comment to make. it makes no sense to say what you did. may you have a baby that cries incessantly next to you on your next flight. what an idiot.
At least I use capitalization, breeder.
Los Angeles is the worst city in the known universe. A festering, hemorrhoidal, prolapsed asshole of a city for which the only cure is complete nuclear annihilation.
Fixing AA seems easy.
To mAAga is a simple 2 step process.
Step 1:
Thank Vasu Raja for the changes under him.
Step 2:
Undo everything AA did under Vasu Raja.
Before you know it, AA will become very competitive and profitable.
That would be great news, bringing back IFE TVs on all planes
I have a tablet and phone. I only use IFE fir the map. I don't care about you. Keep them out.
You… fine Illinois brethren, you…
Not Illinois. Chicago. There is a fundamental difference.
Didn’t you say you live in Schaumburg or something?
Grew up in and was educated in the city. Moved to the suburbs when I got a job out there.
I care about more than the map. Bring them back. This game is fun.
And I only care about what I want and you can go pound sand.
Kind of baffled by all the people here who are actively AGAINST seat back TVs. If you don’t want to watch a show on them, the solution is simple: don’t. But I don’t have a tablet and I’m not going to buy one just to fly AA. And watching a film on my phone is a thankless experience. Seat back TVs gives passengers a choice. At the moment the lack of IFE is a reason that I try and avoid AA.
Have you flown Icelandair recently? Their A321neos have the fancy new Panasonic IFE with beautiful 4K OLED displays and built-in bluetooth. Icelandair uses said screens to play a 10-15 minute advertisement reel on takeoff and approach with no option to turn off the screen. I'm pretty sure the sound gets piped in over the cabin speakers too. I'm not completely anti-IFE, but airlines will absolutely use it as a form of revenue generation.
I in the James corner on this one. And btw, I can always take my headphones off during advertisements and ignore them. Just like I walk away from TV at home or mute the volume when advertisements pop up. What I absolutely despise and hate is when I click on an article and it gets
covered up and littered with advertisements. That is more of problem for me than an advertisement on seat back screen and I hate it so much!!
I never use IFE but I do think it sends a subconscious signal of not being on Spirit
I'm in the camp of not having IFE. After they ripped them out, I learned I prefer the device holder that hold my iPad at eye level vs putting on the tray table forcing me to look down and strain my neck after 45-60mins. If I want, I cant stream their IFE content to my device or watch my own content comfortably. This ability to choose and not sacrifice comfort is a huge plus for...
I'm in the camp of not having IFE. After they ripped them out, I learned I prefer the device holder that hold my iPad at eye level vs putting on the tray table forcing me to look down and strain my neck after 45-60mins. If I want, I cant stream their IFE content to my device or watch my own content comfortably. This ability to choose and not sacrifice comfort is a huge plus for me. Unfortunately many people would rather have a shiny screen that isn't theirs presented to them with more limited content. I see most people with a tablet but they still watch movies and shows on their phone.
With that logic we should remove them on international wide bodies too right??? Everyone can just use their iPads on the 15 hour flight to Australia. Incredibly close minded take here!
Sounds like a good idea and would save a substantial amount of fuel.
They need the screens if they want to be premium. Regardless of whether people use them (and many will), I've said many times that seeing the bright glow of the screens when boarding immediately has an tangible effect on how you perceive the flight and airline (assuming they're not ancient). The under seat boxes are non-existent on modern installations and won't be an issue.
AA as always playing catchup to its competitors.
I prefer to use my own iPad in the seat back holder. Then when movie is over - I can use it to browser internet.
I don't like boxes under the seats to support the seatback displays.
Even on UA - I will still use my iPad over the UA screen. Screen is smaller and sometimes has issues.
Year 10 of repeating how the "customers only care about price" mantra was idiotic. Love being right. I love less how idiot executives get paid millions to keep making the wrong decision.
Unfortunately Doug Parker is now on the board of Qantas, inflicting this rubbish on the Australian consumer. No TVs on an 8 hour flight from Brisbane to Manila.
Huh. Imagine that. AA (and a lot of people on here) thought we'd all be happy trying to watch video from our personal devices. Looks like that has proven to be something enough passengers felt differently enough about to force a change. Nothing like the power of consumerism.
Half of people are below average intelligence. I'm convinced it's more.
They need to have them. I only have a laptop and am not buying an ipad just so i can occasionally watch something on american airlines. When I do watch on my laptop, I have to put it away during meal service, and the power plug often does not work.
When you board a plane without screens, you feel like you're on a greyhound bus, even if it's brand new. That just is the truth.
I have to say those people saying IFE isnt a big differentiation I would encourage them to look at how many people are using them during any given flight (hint its the majority of them.
Personally I like them for several reasons. Charging, ease of not having to get out my personal device and either set on the tray table or awkwardly hang it on the seatback, If I want to work on the...
I have to say those people saying IFE isnt a big differentiation I would encourage them to look at how many people are using them during any given flight (hint its the majority of them.
Personally I like them for several reasons. Charging, ease of not having to get out my personal device and either set on the tray table or awkwardly hang it on the seatback, If I want to work on the computer I can watch TV at the same time. Keeps the kids occupied. Its just easier.
Can you say its driving profits? When AA's biggest competition is United and Delta, they are behind in all areas so its part of it.
Agreed. It's well known in the industry that many more people use the screens than connect to Wi-Fi.
That's because Cousin Poindexter isn't there to set up the wi-fi and they're clueless as to how.
A nice to have for me but not a necessity as movies today have become so bad. I watched a remake/second edition of Predator last night flying from CLT to MIA (772) and I just kept thinking who would pay money to watch this movie.
What I do miss is the moving map.
“Back in my day…” *facepalm*
Yeah, what an innovative, fresh thought.
People can talk all they want about not using TVs but every flight I'm on I see more than half the people using them.
They're the half of people below average intelligence.
A sign of “above average intelligence” is using your own device on a plane? Wow, I never knew! So many low IQ people in biz I guess s
Yes. Your attempts at sarcasm are feeble.
As someone flying frequently on AA, I’d love for IFE seat back monitors to come back. The AA library is pretty good and it’s more comfortable to watch seat back than to figure out how to place the iPad or computer without ending up with neck pain.
Use the device holder. It is there so you can watch your device and your content in a comfortable position. I'll take my own device and the greater under seat room any day
@maxpower
You are right. They should do something inique. Put the seatback screens on seat cushion where people sit. That would make AA a unique place.
The best feature of the IFE is a charging port that is not under the seat. It's probably a good way to get newer, faster charging USB-A and C charging ports in the faces of customers. The screens themselves don't cost that much money anymore.
Meanwhile, AA's free wifi has been... surprisingly good? Working just fine for me gate to gate. That's been a real improvement.
Of course, the flights always seem to be running...
The best feature of the IFE is a charging port that is not under the seat. It's probably a good way to get newer, faster charging USB-A and C charging ports in the faces of customers. The screens themselves don't cost that much money anymore.
Meanwhile, AA's free wifi has been... surprisingly good? Working just fine for me gate to gate. That's been a real improvement.
Of course, the flights always seem to be running late and always seem to have mechanical issues. That's the real problem.
The issue is that the current charging ports where you plug in your wall charger is that most times, they’re outdated and if you use your personal device, it doesn’t charge or loses battery as time goes on.
I agree. That's why getting new IFEs could be helpful because it can facilitate charging.
Sure, the "premium feel" is somewhat important as well.
Totally agree that seat back IFE is not ACTUALLY that big of a deal to most people these days, but for whatever reason it’s perceived to be a massive differentiator of “premium” vs “budget”. As dumb as it is, I don’t see a way around putting them back in to appease analysts and influencers into calling AA premium again. Dumb, but it’s the times we live in.
Universally polite and helpful staff, with serious...
Totally agree that seat back IFE is not ACTUALLY that big of a deal to most people these days, but for whatever reason it’s perceived to be a massive differentiator of “premium” vs “budget”. As dumb as it is, I don’t see a way around putting them back in to appease analysts and influencers into calling AA premium again. Dumb, but it’s the times we live in.
Universally polite and helpful staff, with serious consequences for being rude, would change AA overnight. But that’s not even fully a management problem.
Their Flight attendants and most of the staff is awful. Occasionally run into someone helpful at AA and it's game changing and surprising.
If you walked into any hotel with no tv i best most would never go back. Let us see. Service, clean rooms, bar, restaurant, all are important but no tv…i no come back. All hotels have a tv…planes should have seatback monitors also.
That's what most people think about TVs/screens, and the revenue of DL and UA (along with recommended scores) support this.
Not sure why this post is triggering all the people suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
I don't watch TV in my hotel room. Your logic is a failure.
I one for one much prefer the angle of watching a movie on a seatback TV rather than my laptop. Also, why doesn't AA install seat back entertainment just in first class and in their main cabin extra seats. This could be another differentiator to get customers to pay more for these seats.
AA is one hot mess. Removing the TV and adding more seats - I guess the strategy is not paying off. They clearly have no strategy and don't know what they are doing. At this point it's desperate measures as they are losing ground. First not investing in product and service, and on top of it not looking after their loyal customers. UA and DL have done a much better job. Not perfect, but for sure better than AA.
Dollar short day late
They’ll probably reverse the strategy after spending loads of money
You really hit the nail on the head, Lucky.
The issue to me isn't whether they have seat back screens or not. No carrier outside of Jetblue has them consistently in the US though Delta certainly has enough installed where it appears consistent to many.
The issue is this whack a mole way of getting to premium copying others vs a clear strategy of "this is what we want our experience to be" and making...
You really hit the nail on the head, Lucky.
The issue to me isn't whether they have seat back screens or not. No carrier outside of Jetblue has them consistently in the US though Delta certainly has enough installed where it appears consistent to many.
The issue is this whack a mole way of getting to premium copying others vs a clear strategy of "this is what we want our experience to be" and making something unique to AA they can market and advertise.
What are they really going to get on a marketing bleep about new IFE? "Hey, we have it back now if you use it?"
There's just little done that seems to be a unique strategy to AA or a unique advantage to AA.
They had the only fleet wide high speed wifi for years and just squandered any marketing advantage vs Seatback screens (i'd take a plane with free high speed wifi over a plane with screens any day of the week) with $20-$30 price points
Every “premium” airline should have IFE seat-back screens; free WiFi; ample charging-ports. It’s 2026. Delta and jetBlue do it. American is wising up. United still charges $8/800 points for WiFi, which is hella lame of them.
The World Class airlines have made improvements hand over fist, while the U.S. airlines are content to languish just above or very much below, the low and ultra low cost carriers from around the globe.
If DL and B6 do it, it is by definition evil and should therefore be avoided.
seatback TVs are useful if the power sockets are damaged, unavailable etc.... Want to make a back-of-the-bus family like ours happy? skip the seatback - guarantee a plug for every. single. seat, one that works every time, all the time. and Starlink or Leo. At that point I know kids can stream their crap and not worry about losing juice, and I can relax.
They need Starlink on their planes and to ditch the Panasonic WiFi that’s awful. I wouldn’t mind seatbacks. It is noticeable that delta and United have them and American doesn’t.
The thing is… United does not consistently have seat-back IFE, even on some of their Max. Delta and jetBlue are the most consistent with IFE and free WiFi. American and United need to catch up!
In my opinion they are too late. I haven't used seat back entertainment in forever (even on long haul). Especially with Starlink personal devices now work pretty well, so I believe reinvesting into seat back will be expensive without much upside.
No, they are not “too late”… they can ‘correct’ it. Let’s applaud AA for changing course.
I also rarely use the IFE. I didn't think that many did with iPads and phones, and the ability to choose what they want on that and download before hand. That being said, I started paying more attention to it, and I'd say the majority still do. My whole family does, despite me downloading endless videos for them on their devices before we leave. My brother does and doesn't even have an iPad. He's 39...
I also rarely use the IFE. I didn't think that many did with iPads and phones, and the ability to choose what they want on that and download before hand. That being said, I started paying more attention to it, and I'd say the majority still do. My whole family does, despite me downloading endless videos for them on their devices before we leave. My brother does and doesn't even have an iPad. He's 39 and very tech savvy, building his own comps and such. My parents use the IFE who are older, and don't bring iPads. Once I started paying attention, I realized maybe I was the outlier. I thought it was wasted weight. Then the most recent long haul I was on, I didn't realize it but all my downloads expired.... thank god for the IFE, o/w I'd be reading the safety card.
Why would you spend all that time and money installing screens when everyone brings their own screen onboard with them?
Just invest in Starlink WiFi!
You could say same about hotels. Ditch tv. Make people use their phone. Oh wait. That would be stupid.