DansDeals reports on how EL AL is adding a new feature to its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which we’ve never seen before on an airline. Okay, perhaps it’s not quite as high-tech as the carrier’s anti-missile defense system, but it’s a close second. 😉
In this post:
EL AL installing entertainment privacy screens
EL AL is in the process of introducing privacy screens to its seat back entertainment throughout its Boeing 787 fleet. The airline plans to complete this project over the next two months, on its fleet of 16 Dreamliners. EL AL reportedly designed the system, and it has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
With these privacy screens, you’ll no longer be able to see what’s playing on someone else’s seat back entertainment system. While EL AL already has a parental control feature on its planes, this is intended to take that to the next level.
But that’s not the only use for this. Even in economy, you’ll no longer be able to see what’s on the screen of the person next to you. This will even help passengers get rest — even if your seat mate uses their entertainment system, this should decrease light pollution from their screen.
I wish we’d see more airlines introduce this!
We’ve seen airlines make all kinds of updates to their inflight entertainment systems over the years, as technology has greatly improved. This includes everything from ultra high definition screens, to bluetooth audio, to incredible levels of customizations.
So EL AL’s latest initiative seems like an improvement that’s actually super useful, while also being relatively low tech. Forgetting about kids for a second, reducing light pollution from the screens around you is potentially a pretty useful update.
The only thing I’d say is that I hope this doesn’t make it difficult to see your own screen. For example, in business class, will it still be easy to view your entertainment either from the fully reclined position, or from the upright position? What about if you lean to one side of the seat?
I’m curious to hear some firsthand reports of just how useful this new feature is.
Bottom line
EL AL is introducing privacy screens on its Boeing 787s, giving passengers more privacy with inflight entertainment. This is supposed to serve a variety of purposes, from preventing children from seeing more “mature” content, to limiting light pollution for those who are trying to sleep. This is a pretty cool update, so hopefully this works as well as it’s intended to.
What do you make of EL AL introducing privacy screens for inflight entertainment?
In true El-Al tradition the screens will block your own screen and the flight attendants will behave as though it is your fault.
Why does putting polarizer filter on the IFE screen require FAA approval? Something with safety video availability?
Back in 2009, QR economy had privacy screens on some aircraft. It wasn’t fully light blocking, but it did stop you from being able to see the screen of the person next to you. It disappeared on the newer aircraft, possibly because of higher resolution screens/LEDs.
Of course we can't have some religious nut be exposed to bare arms on a screen...actually "religious nut" is redundant.
Didn't United install those on their planes some years ago?
Almost every single IFE screen in circulation has some level of privacy screen on it. All of AA’s wide bodies have this installed. Very, very, basic stuff.
I remember even old BA 747s had privacy screens
Yes!
Just watched a video review of Air France La Premiere and was surprised to see that, even with the curtains closed, you could easily see the next seat's TV screen glaring through to your bed. Granted that's partly due to how sheer the curtains actually are, but it seems like this would be a no-brainer QoL addition.
I'm pretty sure ANA and JAL already have those kinds of screens on their 787s, tho I'm not sure if El Al is taking a different approach. ANA and JAL have a protective film on their TV screens that blocks out most of the content if you look from the side, but it's not 100%.
If the economy class seat next to me is empty, I will often set that screen to the moving map while I watch a movie. Now, El Al is effectively banning that. They should be referred to the International Criminal Court for prosecution along with Netanyahu. The Hamas guy has immunity because he is dead. Alive is better than dead.
When I saw the headline, I initially thought these screens would help ultra-Orthodox men sit beside women.
That's actually where my mind went as well, especially since the headlines says "industry first," which privacy screens on PTVs is not.
Love this concept, but it’s not an industry first, American had this installed on their fleet back during the 2013 seatback ife period
Light polution. Wow. Flabbergasted
Not surprising from the airline from a country committing genocide and known to be a safe haven for child abusers. And a country supported by criminals such as Epstein.
Interesting why this comment was approved, while not adding anything of value to the topic or conversation.
I guess that there are some people who just can't help spewing hateful garbage and who don't have an original thought in their head.
BB …. Biased Barbarian?
One has to wholeheartedly agree with Annn, that, like my own offering, the comment from a stereotypical Biased Barbarian supporter is a totally tasteless off topic attempt promote antisemitism.
One suspects that the Biased Barbarian has no concept of what “Genocide” actually means. Blindly supporting terrorism by disseminating anti-Semitic rhetoric at every opportunity smacks of illiteracy.
I don’t really care about the privacy part - I’m not ashamed of watching Gilmore girls as an adult man lol.
But the light pollution thingy is genius - no glare from other screens when trying to sleep.
@E39 - my guess is it's less about preventing others from knowing you're watching an embarrassing movie or show (however one defines that) and more about shielding explicit content - violence, nudity, sex scenes, etc. - from those who don't want to see it (or don't want their children to see it).
While airlines do filter content, it varies a lot. On US airlines for example, I typically find they always allow scenes with full...
@E39 - my guess is it's less about preventing others from knowing you're watching an embarrassing movie or show (however one defines that) and more about shielding explicit content - violence, nudity, sex scenes, etc. - from those who don't want to see it (or don't want their children to see it).
While airlines do filter content, it varies a lot. On US airlines for example, I typically find they always allow scenes with full back nudity. I'm fine with that but I'm sure some would be uncomfortable. And I don't know when that may come if it's a movie I've never seen.
Also, I've noticed one case of a movie on United that had brief frontal nudity that wasn't cut or obscured. It was fast but even I was embarrassed that it was on the seatback screen lol.
I’d be embarrassed for you…
In my experience, high def goes to low def when adding any privacy screen device. Perhaps there is better tech out there, but we’ll see how they execute on it.