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Screens Go Dark on US Airways

Carrier scraps in-flight movie systems

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 9, 2008

US Airways
• Consumer Complaints
• Christmas Complaints
• An Insider's View
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• US Airways Still Sorting Out Lost Bags
• US Airways Makes Bid for Delta
• US Airways Says Nuts to Peanuts
• USAirways-America West Merger Still Baffles Passengers
• Report Slams US Airways Christmas Performance
• US Airways Turns In Jets, Cancels Flights
• Florida: Treatment of Quadriplegic Passenger "Callous"
• US Airways Wins Concessions from Machinists
• Loan Extension Provides More Turnaround Time
• Attendants Accept Cuts, Machinists Still Hold-Outs
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• January Crucial for US Airways
• A Christmas Nightmare
• Breathing Room
• Turnaround Plans
• US Air Deathwatch

Jet fuel is famously expensive these days so US Airways is ripping out the in-flight movie systems from its airplanes.

The carrier, formed by the merger of US Airways and America West, says the movie equipment weighs about 500 pounds -- nearly as much as three good-sized passengers -- and therefore ups the fuel consumption of its airplanes.

Not only that, said US Air, but not many passengers are paying $5 to rent headsets so they can watch movies. The company said too many passengers were bringing their own headsets or simply using their iPods and other personal digital devices for entertainment.

Of course, some carriers -- like JetBlue and Virgin America -- offer free in-flight video with movies as an optional premium. Virgin America even sells sandwiches, drinks and other goodies through its onboard entertainment system.

But none of that appeals to US Airways.

"What was economical 18 months ago is not economical today," said Travis Christ, US Airways vice president for sales. He said the entertainment systems will be turned off Nov. 1 and yanked out of the Airbus A320 aircraft as they undergo routine maintenance.

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September 5 2008

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