Think back to your last airplane ride. Did you have to pay for the standard airline issued headphones, which enable you to watch the in-flight movie or were they free? Now, how many of you remember a time when there was no in-flight movie?
For those of you who raised their hands to the latter you should feel right at home on upcoming US Airways flights. Yes, it’s true; yet another reduction in airline services has been unveiled and this time the 2-hour entertainment block got the ax. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, US Airways is going to eliminate in-flight movies from all domestic flights beginning this fall.
Ironically, US Airways was one of the “majors” in the industry that scoffed at discount carriers, such as Southwest Airlines for not offering “sufficient customer amenities.” Yet, here they are yanking in-flight movies and suddenly the tables are turned.
US Airways blames the rising cost of jet fuel for its decision to get rid of the movies. In making the announcement regarding its cutbacks, airline execs explained that the number of people purchasing headphones (they are still free on some airline) has declined. In addition, by eliminating the movies they will no longer have to pay film companies for the right to show the flicks.
So to reiterate, if you are flying on US Airways and Southwest you will not be able to watch a movie in mid-air (JetBlue doesn’t offer movies either, but it does provide passengers with access to DirectTV). Likewise, on many or most domestic flights on Northwest, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, you will be offered limited in-flight entertainment… if anything at all. Given the copycat behavior displayed by players in the airline industry, the list of carriers that put in-flight movies on the chopping block will only get longer.
Southwest Airlines, which has long offered no-frills service, offers this advice to kids traveling on the airline: “We encourage our young travelers to bring onboard any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved portable electronic device such as a portable DVD player and enjoy the movie of their choice through the comfort of their personal headphones. The flight attendants will make an announcement during the flight about when it’s okay to bring out the device and begin the movie.”
It’s really not such a bad idea. These days you can purchase portable DVD players for less than $100 and by having your own device you don’t have to suffer through the box office flops that most airlines offer. Besides being able to pick your own movies, you can watch them when you want to or pause them when you want to take a nap or run to the restroom.
How do you feel about the elimination of in-flight movies? Will you miss them?
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