American Airlines Won’t Be Installing Seat-Back Video Screens on Some New Jets

A blast from the past.

The world’s largest airline said earlier this week it does not plan to install seat-back in-flight entertainment screens on the 100 Boeing 737 Max jets that will start being delivered later this year.

American Airlines said that, because some 90% of its passengers bring their own portable electronic devices aboard, which include smartphones and tablets, the seat-back screens simply aren’t necessary anymore.

The movies and television shows that passengers would have watched on the seat-back screens will be available via Wi-Fi on the new aircraft, which will also support satellite-based high-speed Internet access.

“It makes sense for American to focus on giving customers the best entertainment and fast connection options rather than installing seatback monitors that will be obsolete within a few years,” the Fort Worth-based airline said in a statement.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)