NO IFE on domestic A/C

[US1YFARE]

We should be so clever.

Cutting out $.03 bags of pretzels, charging $2 for soda and $1 for coffee, and cramming in seats on an airplane so that the last few rows can't move on a transatlantic flight isn't clever?

 

[flybynite]

No...that's a crime.

 

[N965VJ]

Cutting out $.03 bags of pretzels, charging $2 for soda and $1 for coffee, and cramming in seats on an airplane so that the last few rows can't move on a transatlantic flight isn't clever?

"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
-David St. Hubbins

 

[US1YFARE]

No...that's a crime.

good one

 

[N965VJ]

It’s official now, and no plans mentioned for an on-demand system:

US Airways to drop movies on some domestic flights
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 5:46 PM EDT
Washington Business Journal

US Airways Group Inc. plans to remove in-flight movie systems from some of its airplanes.

Travis Christ, vice president for sales and marketing of US Airways, told Bloomberg News the decision will save the airline about $10 million a year.

The targeted airplanes fly U.S. domestic routes and flights to Mexico and the Caribbean.

According to the report, Christ said the number of people paying $5 for headsets has dropped, while fuel, maintenance and studio fess have gone up. The report said the movie systems add 500 pounds to a plane’s weight and that increases fuel use. The systems will be turned off on Nov. 1

Linkage

 

[lildutchgrl]

Yeah, ever since Tempe started running the show the movie selections are crappy. I think they pick the cheapest package. Although, one thing that HP did, that the old US did not...(I know, can you believe it)....they change the movie during the middle of the month....that is, if the right movie is put on the aircraft. my experience was that half the time the movie was the same and not switched out.

US1YFARE,

Pre merger East had 4 movies per month.

1-15 eastbound
1-15 westbound
16-31 eastbound
16-31 westbound

That is a fact that I back up 100%.

Shortly after Sept 11th we went through a period of older movies when our flights were 1/3 full, but they came back when bookings came back.

Sincerely,
Super Stew

 

[flybynite]

The headline on that article as well as the statement from Christ is very misleading.

It should have read...

Us Airways to Remove Inflight Entertainment From All Domestic Flights.

Except Hawaii.

What a putz....can't even tell the truth about this.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP>Pre merger East had 4 movies per month.

1-15 eastbound
1-15 westbound
16-31 eastbound
16-31 westbound

Thanks Super Stew, that jogged my memory! In my previous post I was trying to figure out why the movies would’ve been swapped in the middle of the month.

 

[US1YFARE]

Pre merger East had 4 movies per month.

Thanks for the correction and info.

With respect to the article....I don't know who coined the phrase, but it really should be called A la Crap. If it were true a la carte, people would have the choice to purchase inflight entertainment. And, please $10M? Where are they going to come up with the rest of the money they need to survive. $10M may seem like a lot to people on here, but it will not make or break the airline. And the ridiculous spin he put on it is just plane rediculus. At this point, why fly US when you can fly WN with more seat pitch, free snacks, happy employees, reliable service, clean planes, easy to navigate website.....???????

What is Tempe's plan? They have no plan. They are a total mess.

 

[US1YFARE]

Except Hawaii.

Don't forget the Caribbean.

So, when they use a 330 or 757 etops or 767 to a destination like CUN or SJU, will they show the movie or will they say they won't do it because it would be inconsistent with not showing movies on other routes? I flew on the 757 etops and they used the domestic entertainment because according to the "A", it would be inconsistent to hand out the AVODS since that is for "transatlantic only". I said, you fly 737's on this route that have no entertainment, why don't you just show nothing then to be consistent....it is because they are CHEAP.

 

[trvlr64]

I also agree what ever, if ever, US adds a new system it will be the most basic (cheapest) system available.

Introducing the new and improved USAirways IFE............VIEWMASTER

Remember all the enjoyment you had as a child looking into an unknown world? Well we are brining this excitement back but in the comfort of our aircraft.

When you're finished looking at the exotic pictures, that we will supply for a reasonable charge of $5.00, please pass the Viewmaster to your seatmate but keep the picture disc as our gift to you so that you can use it again and again. If you remember to bring your picture disc on another USAirways flight you'll only be charged $3.00 for the use of a Viewmaster.

Think of the hours of fun you can have.

And when you order your beverage of choice for a minor $2.00, you will be experiencing a whole new world of air travel aboard the New USAirways.

We aim lower to be your carrier of last resort.

Welcome aboard.

 

[phllax]

US1YFARE,

Pre merger East had 4 movies per month.

1-15 eastbound
1-15 westbound
16-31 eastbound
16-31 westbound

That is a fact that I back up 100%.

Shortly after Sept 11th we went through a period of older movies when our flights were 1/3 full, but they came back when bookings came back.

Sincerely,
Super Stew

I think the 4 movies per month thing was one of the adjustments made during the US/UA merger period.

 

[Art at ISP]

This is a perfect illustration of penny wise pound foolish.

First of all, if I am not mistaken, the fuel burn by being 500 lb lighter is negligible in the general scheme of things--could probably be negated by flying a little slower or using the APU less...again just my guess.

Here's the real problem. They are too cheap to pay the studio fees. They cancelled redeye movies, and lied saying people prefer not to see movies on redeyes--well not the people I spoke to. Again tried to save the fees.

The "Oscar Favorites" which were third run movies for a while were probably a bargain package they bought to save money on fees as well.

What they are failing to realize is with each idiotic cut they make like this, they are virtually pushing what few loyal customers there are left out the door. Tell you what....B6 in an exit row on a transcon now looks MUCH better to me..as does DL or VX, which each have state of the art IFE systems (OK DL's doesn't work well yet but it must be teething pains).

So save a few bucks, but lose thousands or millions more in revenue...sounds like a smart plan to me....

Give Tempe credit for one thing---they are consistent in their stupidity.

 

[SS255]

Oh, and I hate to break it to ya, but CO is showing almost EXACTLY the same movies we have this month(see CO.com):

All of the airlines basically show the same movies -- at least the new releases. No one airline gets exclusivity on films.

 

[SS255]

Here's the real problem. They are too cheap to pay the studio fees. They cancelled redeye movies, and lied saying people prefer not to see movies on redeyes--well not the people I spoke to. Again tried to save the fees.

Does US expect the studios to give away their product for free? (Pre-DVD, I might add.) The studios need to make money, too!

I can't believe that in 2 days we have a 10-page thread on IFE!!!