Comments on: First Look: Testing the US Airways In-Seat Video System

By: The Boarding Pass

The Boarding Pass — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:48:39 +0000

Should be AA as they bring more 737s into the fleet, as they are badly in need of some updated IFE and they may think they can charge for the privilege.

By: Nick B

Nick B — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:24:30 +0000

I’ve used the touch screen system that Delta has installed in their 757s and 737s and never noticed any problems. I’ve mostly used the system on flights to Hawaii and longer flights from the west coast and didn’t notice much of an issue with the back of my seat being tapped by the person behind me.

Most people are considerate enough to be gentle and I have found that most of the heavy tappers get frustrated as most touch screens don’t respond well to heavy hitting. I use touch screens every day at work (and wish I had a mouse most of the time) and find that even the more normal monitor sized units respond a lot better with a gentle touch than a thudding jab.

By: gobluetwo

gobluetwo — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:40:39 +0000

I’ve used the touchscreens plenty on other airlines and have had no issues whatsoever with the passengers in front of and behind me. I would hope that US would provide some basic free content along with premium paid content – is that asking too much?

By: CF

CF — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:03:07 +0000

David – I don’t know how easy it is to use, because I only saw it in the lab. Others who actually had the chance to ride it will have to chime in. And I wouldn’t expect the flight attendants to clean the screens at all. Not sure why everyone thinks this is something new though – touchscreens are all over the place already.

By: David SF east bay

David SF east bay — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:42:38 +0000

A system like that at every seat is much better then the old fashion movie and music options. How east is it to use and see when people lean their seat back? Seats should only recline an inch or less and that’s it.

With a touch screen it will sure be dirty with greasy finger prints, I wonder how many people will start asking the FA’s to clean it for them. After all, if you are paying for the service they need to maintain it which includes cleaning the screen for you. That should tick off the cabin crew.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:52:15 +0000

Say I’m flying through to Atlanta. Will the system, and retain where I am in the movies for the second hop?
I am also a bit concerned about the touch-screen aspect. Sounds to me like a great idea for the manufacturer, and a lot less great for the airline and the user. I suspect
would be problems there with the cabin-cleaning between flights and ham-fisted passengers.

By: CF

CF — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:22:18 +0000

Nicholas – That’s a good question. I wonder if they simply want to break even or if they want to make a profit. It all depends upon how much value they think this provides to the consumer. If it’s a lot, they might think it will increase the ticket price they’ll get (though it won’t be much).

Oliver – good catch. Thanks for getting that, and I don’t blame you for not registering to comment. That bothers me as well, but they aren’t going to budge.

Dave – Lumexis does not do revenue sharing models, or at least that’s what they’ve told me. LiveTV has been doing the revenue share model, and if Lumexis won’t do it, then that could be a reason for US Airways to turn to LiveTV. As for the test plane, I’m sure US Airways isn’t paying much if anything. Lumexis just needed to get it on a plane.

james – There are plenty of airlines with touchscreens, and that’s why I think it needs to be very sensitive. If it isn’t, people will punch the seatback and it’s a real pain.

By: james

james — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:36:03 +0000

Wait a minute. This screen is in installed in the seat back, (like any other screens,) and it’s a TOUCH SCREEN?

Without experiencing this in person it sounds like a terrible idea. Just imagine when the IFE starts and everyone starts poking and jabbing the screen- and YOUR seat back.

I try and be as sensitive as possible when pushing in my tray table, and I can’t stand it when people yank on my seat back to raise themselves up (although I understand some less than nimble folks need to for balance,) — so the thought of everyone poking each others seats for the duration of a flight makes me cringe just thinking about it.

I understand it can be set to high sensitivity, but the initial interaction won’t be gentle. I know how I treat touch screens at the ATM or random ticket vending machines. It’s definitely not with a feather’s touch.

oh and the headset jack IN the screen? Again, it’s a reason to push the back of the seat. – and all this crap is in the headrest portion of the seat, where there’s the most leverage (and annoyance factor)

Yes there are long movies, but families will be sharing headsets, changing channels. etc. I don’t like the idea one bit.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:02:28 +0000

CF – I understand that USAirways is paying zero to have these installed. It’s a revenue sharing model between them, Lumexis and the content providers. And, since USAirways is the launch customer for this specific system, it’s a win-win for the airline.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:31:14 +0000

The link back to this post over on the BNET site is broken. Wrong date.

(I’d have posted it there if I didn’t have to register there… and I really can’t be bothered).