US airways plls inflight films to save fuel

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,379222,00.html

US Airways Pull In-Flight Movies on Domestic Flights

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

TEMPE, Az (AP) — US Airways says it will start removing in-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights in November to save about $10 million annually in fuel and other costs.

Spokesman Phil Gee says the movie systems weigh about 500 pounds each, forcing planes to expend more fuel to get around the country.

Jet fuel costs have skyrocketed in recent years, slashing profits and leading to thousands of layoffs and flight cuts throughout the industry.

Gee says US Airways will cut the movie systems from about 200 aircraft. But it will keep movies in its widebody aircraft for international flights and trips to Hawaii.

US Airways says it will test a lighter, seat-back TV system later this year. However, Gee says a new entertainment system is a long way off.

Eh, I didn't know that Useless Air had any flights long enough to even warrant any film longer than a youtube video.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I hope that all the other carriers will do the same! CONSERVATION!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Take your own movies - its not like you get to watch the one you want anyway. Everytime I look into the in-flight entertainment guide - the movies that I want to see are all on other routes.

Best used to be Virgin Atlantic (though I've not flown with them for over 5 years). They gave you the choice of several movies - and a built-in Nintendo system free of charge.

[DairyFarmer 1]

However if they do that they had better reduce the bloody fuel charges.

As long as long haulers don't take it away. I say more power to them.

Edited July 11, 2008 by DairyFarmer

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm wondering if they will get to charging for a person's body-weight...

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Eh, I didn't know that Useless Air had any flights long enough to even warrant any film longer than a youtube video.

They do and they are awful. I forgot another thing that happened to me last time I flew with them. They had no one working the gate. 10 minutes before departure, the pilots stormed out the aircraft and demanded to know why no one was on the plane. Uh, because no one was there to board us. So airport security and the pilots called for nearly 20 minutes before anyone showed up to board us.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Eh, I didn't know that Useless Air had any flights long enough to even warrant any film longer than a youtube video.

They do and they are awful. I forgot another thing that happened to me last time I flew with them. They had no one working the gate. 10 minutes before departure, the pilots stormed out the aircraft and demanded to know why no one was on the plane. Uh, because no one was there to board us. So airport security and the pilots called for nearly 20 minutes before anyone showed up to board us.

Blame it on the Spainish speaking people.

[Savanphil 3]

I'm wondering if they will get to charging for a person's body-weight...

If they do, then I'm in trouble

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Blame it on the Spainish speaking people.

I'd rather blame US Airways for sucking so hardcore. They remind me of Mr. Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants being so hopelessly cheap.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

I'm wondering if they will get to charging for a person's body-weight...

well I thought about that the other day... because when I fly back to the USA in a month, myself + my two full suitcases will be the weight of a "normal" adult man + 1 suitcase (yes I am small and don't weight much). So I'd prefer if they charged for people's weight and not only the suitcases

Edited July 11, 2008 by Cecile and Bryan

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Alitalia is the worst airline I've ever travelled on. A transatlantic flight to Germany where the seatbelt sign was on almost the whole time - and the attendants yelled at people trying to use the bathroom or standing up to stretch their legs. They did the bare minimum of refreshment runs - and they showed one very lame Will Ferrell movie and started it so late into the flight they had to cut it off half an hour before the end...

I'm wondering if they will get to charging for a person's body-weight...

well I thought about that the other day... because when I fly back to the USA in a month, myself + my two full suitcases will be the weight of a "normal" adult man (yes I am small and don't weight much). So I'd prefer if they charged for people's weight and not only the suitcases

Seriously - it would cause an uproar I'm sure, but I'm wondering whether the airlines would consider doing something like that...

[Amby 490]

i think the most hilarious but pointless in flight movies are the ones I've seen on the short flight from Amsterdam to London or Amsterdam to Newcastle on KLM. They have these stupid comedy gag type movies. Some of them aren't even in English but somehow you know when to laugh.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Take your own movies - its not like you get to watch the one you want anyway. Everytime I look into the in-flight entertainment guide - the movies that I want to see are all on other routes.

Best used to be Virgin Atlantic (though I've not flown with them for over 5 years). They gave you the choice of several movies - and a built-in Nintendo system free of charge.

You're lucky:

• 65% of time, i get movies that hold no interest whatsoever (on any route)
• 25% movies I may have passing interest in, on other routes
• 9.6% more than passing other routes
• 0.4% more than passing, actually being shown

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Eh, I didn't know that Useless Air had any flights long enough to even warrant any film longer than a youtube video.

Sadly, they have the only Boston-Phoenix nonstop route, and it's always really expensive. US Airways sucks, although I did get two $300 vouchers last year after writing a detailed complaint letter about a previous cancelled flight because there were no pilots. I don't think I was supposed to know that, but a couple of loose-lipped gate agents divulged this via an announcement.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

[*]65% of time, i get movies that hold no interest whatsoever (on any route)

[*]25% movies I may have passing interest in, on other routes

[*]9.6% more than passing other routes

[*]0.4% more than passing, actually being shown

Heh. I was forced to watch Calendar Girls on my flight from Charlotte to London Heathrow. There were no individual options.

Edited July 11, 2008 by Wacken