In-Flight Movies Are Becoming a Perk of the Past

July 11, 2008

Can you remember the last in-flight movie that you watched? The titles offered by airlines have rarely been riveting, but they've probably served as a good distraction from the person in the next seat inevitably stealing your armrest. Start downloading some more entertainment on your iPod, because in-flight movies are becoming obsolete.

US Airways is the first carrier to announce they will be removing in-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights because they weigh about 500 pounds each, and their removal should save about $10 million annually. Don't be surprised when other airlines play copycat.

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25 Comments

murdock99tx 4 years

Hip-hip, hooray. I'm all for it! If it'll save the airlines $, reduce weight on the plane & be something that the vast majority won't miss, go for it. I'm an audiobook girl, myself. Esp. when I'm too weary to keep my eyes open to read or watch a movie. Keeps seatmates from hitting on you, too. Ahhhh...

murdock99tx 4 years

Hip-hip, hooray. I'm all for it! If it'll save the airlines $, reduce weight on the plane & be something that the vast majority won't miss, go for it.I'm an audiobook girl, myself. Esp. when I'm too weary to keep my eyes open to read or watch a movie.Keeps seatmates from hitting on you, too. Ahhhh...

tee0206 4 years

I won't miss them too much. Once, my on-flight movie was that Britney Spears movie. Not exactly top-notch selections.

LadyLibertine 4 years

ps the cost was not less so them saving money did not save me anything

LadyLibertine 4 years

ps the cost was not less so them saving money did not save me anything

LadyLibertine 4 years

my international flight to usa and back using them had no personal screen as well as on the domestic flights that is why I will go via someone else next time it was long and boring also my first in a long while I hated the flight and first time with them never ever again

LadyLibertine 4 years

my international flight to usa and back using them had no personal screen as well as on the domestic flights that is why I will go via someone else next timeit was long and boringalso my first in a long while I hated the flight and first time with themnever ever again

phatE 4 years

ok really guys, comparing a movie to a bathroom is pretty ridiculous.

uptown_girl 4 years

I've flown probably less than 25 times (trips, not flights) in my life, and I only remember ONE trip where we had a movie. Looks like I might be able to say to my children, "Now when I was a kid and we went on a family vacation to CA we watched a movie, for the WHOLE plan, not just on my iPod!".

redegg 4 years

I'm hardly ever on a flight where they show a movie, even when the flight is several hours long. I've often wondered why that is. The screens just sit there blank waiting to fall on someone's head. I wonder if they'll remove the restrooms next.

redegg 4 years

Taadie 4 years

I usually have a book and a magazine on my flights and I dont own an ipod. I would like them to keep the movies though. When Im trapped on a long domestic flight and Ive finished my book and I cant fall asleep, I dont mind watching a slightly terrible movie. Especially since Im a nervous flier.

raieven 4 years

they better keep them on transatlantic flights!

phatE 4 years

if someone can't afford an ipod they can read a book. i am all for airlines figuring out ways to cut costs, because i'd rather be bored for a few hours then pay more $$.

phatE 4 years

if someone can't afford an ipod they can read a book.i am all for airlines figuring out ways to cut costs, because i'd rather be bored for a few hours then pay more $$.

erinflower 4 years

What about the people who can't afford Ipods? I don't like it but understand why they are doing it.

TheEnchantedOne 4 years

No! What about the 14+ hours I'm up there? Oh in-seat movie screens? Better.

TheEnchantedOne 4 years

No! What about the 14+ hours I'm up there? Oh in-seat movie screens? Better.

looseseal 4 years

It's just as well, inflight movies usually suck. Much better to bring my own entertainment.

ilanac13 4 years

i read about all the cut backs that American is doing - but i just met with a rep from Delta who was telling my team that they are in the process of installing the individual systems on the seat backs - so I'm not sure what that's going to end up being like. i fly a lot and when i don't have a movie to watch - it's kind of boring. granted there are a lot of times when i can't quite see the screen cause they are the overhead ones, but at least they have it. i like the longer flights that you have your own console (or being in first class) that way you have a selection. (is it bad that i guess I'm somewhat spoiled?)

cmd0610 4 years

All of the international flights now that I've been on lately (4 trips in the last year) have the "in-seat" mini screens which are awesome because there are like 8 movies that start every 20mins and more than that tv shows and games for people interested in that . . .so I don't see any changes there at all. Domestic I've still been getting movies on all my 3+hr flights in the US- also I dont think the costs are going up- Continental (which is what I usually fly bc we have a hub here in Houston) now only charges $1 for headsets but they used to charge $5 . . . .

chellybean 4 years

Won't miss them. Sounds like a wise move.

sweetpeabrina 4 years

Thank goodness this is for domestic flights only. Having to fly internationally 10+ hours without multiple distractions would be killer.

imLissy 4 years

whatever. I brought The Waitress on my ipod last time and that was better than Bee Movie on the way there and Dan in Real Life on the way back. bleh

em113 4 years

I'll live. They were already starting to charge an arm and a leg to watch the movies so I wasn't doing it anyway. But if the cost of flying keeps going up and the amentities offered keeps going down, I'm going to be pretty darn b!tchy every time I go to the airport.

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