Seatback video screens on airplanes, are they coming or going? –

Decades ago all the major airlines announced they would be installing seat back video screens to enhance the in-flight experience. In October 2019, Forbes Magazine had an article announcing, “Airlines Sound The Death Knell For In-Flight Seatback Screens”. Fast forward 5 years and now there is a new race to put new giant seatback screens in business class on international flights, larger screens on international coach seats and even domestic seat back screens are coming back. While the airlines’ plan to remove seatback screens would save money they also now realize they can generate additional revenue from advertisers as well as enhance the in-fight experience. Looks like we will see more and more new airplanes with seatback screens in the near future. 

Get ready for the airlines to send waves of email marketing at you – Airlines have a lot of data on their travelers that they plan to leverage into direct marketing even more aggressively than the past. Currently many members of the airline frequent flyer programs received offers to buy miles, airline sales, etc. In the future this will be pushed to a new level with offers for mortgages, credit cards, Gift cards, hotel specials, Amazon deals, and even sales from Home Depot and Lowe’s. The list will go on and on. Bottom line is this is one more way the airlines will monetize your membership in their loyalty program. 

Letting children play in the aisle is the voted the most rude behavior by airline passengers – A recent YouGov survey of airline passengers provided a long list of passenger behaviors that flyers find unacceptable. I have put an (*) by the ones that I must admit I am guilty of and my explanation in parenthesis. I think I failed as I got 7 of the 16 unacceptables. 

Here is the unacceptable behavior by passengers when flying: (% Unacceptable)

1. Let their children play in the aisle (86%)                         

2. Get drunk (82%)

3. Leave their seat during turbulence (82%)

4. Watch a movie or show without headphones (81%)

5. Leave trash in the seatback pocket when they exit the plane (79%) * “I forget”

6. Use both armrests when someone is sitting next to them (74%) * “Accidently”

7. Eat strong-smelling food (69%)

8. Not pay attention during the safety demonstration (66%) ** “I can repeat in my sleep”

9. Exit the plane before the people in the row in front of them (66%) *

10. Not set their devices to airplane mode (64%) * “I forget”

11. Do exercises or stretches in the aisle (63%)* “On long flights I have to stretch”

12. Remove their shoes (55%) * “Only when flying in business class over the water”

13. Climb over a seatmate to use the bathroom (53%) * “When you got to go, you got to go”

14. Watch a movie or show that includes scenes with nudity (51%)

15. Stand up immediately after the plane lands (50%) 

16. Bring a cat on board (50%) 

I have a big problem with people who recline their seat when flying, but I guess I am in the minority – I have a big problem with people reclining their seat on an airplane. My knees are almost crippled when the guy in front of me pushes back his seat. People who took this survey disagree with me on this one. 

Here is the list of behaviors that travelers approve of when traveling. 

1. Use a laptop on the tray table (81%)

2. Wake up a seatmate to use the bathroom (72%)

3. Push the flight attendant call button to ask for refreshments (67%)

4. Close the window during takeoff or landing (58%)

5. Recline their seat (55%)

6. Ask to switch seats with another passenger (51%)

7. Chat with a stranger next to them for the entire flight (46%)

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