Seat back screens have zero to do with the ability to stay entertained in flight (that’s what high speed WiFi is for)...and everything to do with “brand perception.”
The point being, if you step on board an AA plane with no screens, it broadcasts “cheap and bare bones.” The same aircraft on
Delta with seat back screens showing the Delta widget broadcasts “classy airline.” Regardless on whether they are used or not.
Delta is all about brand perception and they’ve gotten to a point where they are gaining revenue premium from that.
AA is all about cutting costs to the max, while still ensuring the passenger returns (albeit ticked off.) Case in point, our 45 or so
newest 737s came with seat back screens installed. Well, the first one just went in for its Oasis mod (reconfiguring from 160 to
172 seats)... and you guessed it, they ripped out the screens.
Its sad to watch how far we’ve fallen. The only thing that will fix it will be a complete management revamp, from top to bottom,
with AIRLINE folks instead of bean counters.
Congrats Delta.