Just read an interesting article about IFE's and the idea that really they are now pretty much old hat and what the airlines should be doing is giving each passenger an iPad (or similar) to use instead. The arguments in favour of it are around things like cost saving as the tablets are much lighter per passenger than the IFE (in fact, one 767-300ER flying its longest route of JFK-Buenos Aries would save 133 gallons of fuel a flight due to weight savings, and if there was one round trip per day, that would equate to a saving of $529,140 per year). The tablets would be significantly cheaper to install compared to the usual costs of IFE systems, you wouldn't need to give them out to empty seats or people not wishing them, or wanting to use their own devices. If a system got broken then it is much easier to replace a single unit. The downsides are storage (although, without the IFE the seat ergonomics could be improved) - perhaps the tablets would be stored and administered at the gates?? and the fact that they are hand-held so take up space (perhaps the seats could have a holder built in?).
Currently Singapore Airlines subsidiary Scoot is currently trialling renting out iPads at $22 a flight for economy passengers (free to business) and Quantas is looking to implement the same on its 767's.
Seems like a brilliant idea to me.
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