In-Flight Entertainment Losing Battle against Mobile Gadgets
Cited: Reuters
It seems that iPods and other mobile entertainment gadgets are rendering the in-flight entertainment systems of airlines around the world who spend millions of dollars annually to upgrade. Long-haul travelers in economy class are always certain of two things, the bland airline food and the movies and games that could be played on a minuscule 5-inch screen that the airline provided to them.
However, with USB ports and a power socket increasingly common even for economy class passengers on carriers such as Singapore Airlines Ltd and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the concept of in-flight entertainment could change.
Adding to the mix are plans by carriers such as Delta Air Lines Inc, which has begun offering an Internet connection on board, allowing passengers to continue tweeting and updating their Facebook status instead of flipping channels on the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.
Analysts call this content customization, where passengers are no longer limited to an airline’s offerings in their in-flight entertainment systems and are able to pick and choose what they want to watch or do on board a flight.
Airlines, already badly hit by weak demand for air travel and volatile jet fuel prices, are likely to welcome the move, as it would allow them to save on costs such as licensing fees to production studios and maintenance fees.
“There’re so many reasons for airlines to change the way it works right now,” said Peter Harbinson, an analyst at the Center of Asia-Pacific Aviation in Sydney. “The biggest advantage for airlines is the weight of the IFE equipment. Fuel burned, regular engineering checks, and licensing fees to movie studios all add up to a considerable amount of money for airlines.”
The growing popularity of low-cost netbook PCs and other mobile entertainment devices such as Apple Inc’s iPod and other MP3 players could further hasten IFE’s demise, as more and more airline passengers carry these gadgets with them when they travel.
GREATER COST SAVINGS
The biggest draw for airlines, industry watchers say, is that they could save money in tough economic times, while simultaneously disguising the change as a product enhancement. Passengers engrossed with their laptop PCs and mobile entertainment devices that can be used continuously as a result of the power sockets on every seat could also free up cabin crew.
“I’ve heard stories about the number of crew on board each flight being cut by airlines after they introduced personal TVs on every seat,” said Anthony Prakasam, an aviation consultant.
Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair Holdings PLC and AirAsia Bhd, always eager for a fresh revenue source, could also turn to installing USB ports and power sockets and charging for their use.
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The biggest losers from the entire episode could be companies such as Rockwell Collins Inc and Panasonic Corp, which develop and build current in-flight entertainment systems but now look like they might have innovated themselves into obsolescence.
These companies have been on the forefront of encouraging airlines to install power sockets and USB ports onto every seat in the aircraft, but they could have to start looking at diversifying their work if they are to stay ahead, analysts say.
Khoa C. Huynh, 24, a self-professed airline geek, said he would want to turn off the in-flight entertainment system even more if he were forced to watch advertisements on board.
“I travel everywhere with my laptop, and being able to use it without having to worry about the battery dying on me is a great plus. I won’t say I’ll stop watching in-flight movies, but I suppose that could mean less time spent on it.”
In-flight movies have long been seen as the last-place in the world considered to be commercial-free. There is the possibility of providing advertisers the ability to broadcast ads on large screens to a captive audience. However, that is one plan that could very well backfire because many people do not want to watch commercials on an airplane.
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My Take: I rarely fly because I do not have the money and if I did it would definitely be the economy class. Although, my flight would not be long enough to include an in-flight movie so I am not real concerned about whether the in-flight movie is available or not. On the other hand, many people fly regularly and for long distances that this may affect.
Even though some people that do fly more frequently and for long distances are on either a business trip or a personal trip, they may want a choice of either an in-flight movie or the ability to utilize their computer. Many of these same people are not concerned about an in-flight movie because they plan on sleeping through their flight. Others are on a business trip and need to complete work before they get to their destination and would need to use their laptops to do so.
The thing I do not understand is why the airlines need so much fancy equipment to play a movie. I guess it must be because I am not a techie that I do not understand. It seems to me they would only need a VCR or DVD player that is hooked up to several monitors or TVs to play a movie. I do not think that they need all of the fancy equipment to do so. As it is right now, you have to pay for the ear phones to even listen to the movie.
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