Posted on 07/09/2008 12:29:24 PM PDT by Eepsy
US Airways Group Inc. plans to discontinue in-flight movies on about 10 percent of its flights, due in large part to rising fuel costs.
Airline spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said the current in-flight entertainment systems are being pulled from roughly 196 of its planes. "These systems weigh about 500 pounds, and whether a movie is showing or not, the plane has to bear that weight," Wunder said.
And, she said with changing customer behavior, fewer people are shelling out the $5 to rent the headsets to listen to the movies. "A lot of people bring their own personal devices and their own headsets on airplanes," she said.
A newer, lighter fiber optic in-flight entertainment system will be tested on aircraft beginning Oct. 1, Wunder said, and if fuel costs go down, the movies may be reinstated in the future. "Ideally we wouldn't have removed the systems until we had a newer, lighter one to replace them, but the fuel costs made it necessary to pull them sooner," she said, adding that removing the in- flight entertainment systems could save the airline $10 million a year.
The change will go into effect Nov. 1. Movies will still be shown on transatlantic flights and flights to Hawaii, Wunder said.
Pittsburgh International Airport is no longer a hub for Tempe, Ariz.-based US Airways (NYSE: LCC), but the airline still carries the most passengers to and from Pittsburgh.
I’ve seen what might be called “spot” price pushing $7.00 a gallon quoted at certain FBOs at certain airports; I’ve got no idea what airlines actually pay.
Hopefully much less.
The point remains - pulling 500 pounds out of the airplane basic structure will either save several hundred dollars a day in fuel costs per airplane, or allow carrying 500 pounds of freight.
Will US Air to do the same?
Let's get serious here. The airlines should be flying C-5 Galaxy planes.
Payload = 291,000 pounds = approximately 1,100 passengers
Stark amenities.
When you land, you have your own commuter chopper.
What do you mean? These guys?
No I am talking about having to take off your shoes, and your jackets and wait in a line a mile long. Have you ever had your cologne confiscated and your tooth paste? I believe in security like everyone else, but I never did think we needed to hire 48k union employees with badges and the right to hassle us to get on a plane. Reminds me of the IRS.
Long story, but suffice to say I had to pay out of pocket for a SWA flight after they stranded me during a connection. It was absolutely their fault and the result of pure and apparently routine carelessness. The staff could not have cared any less about getting me in a full day and a half later. They also made it nearly impossible to get a refund. Forget US Air. Most airlines are in a race to bottom on service.
>>>>>They also made it nearly impossible to get a refund. Forget US Air. Most airlines are in a race to bottom on service.
OTOH, consider Northwest (Japan). After Northwest (USA) ruined all of my connections from the get-go at Detroit, Northwest (Japan) retrieved my luggage at Narita, called a limo, took me to Raddison Narita at no cost and no hassle, provided breakfast, and had a limo retrieve me the next morning for a rescheduled connecting flight.
Best part was the Japanese sweeties “assigned” to assist me, and who seemed devoted to the idea that I suffer no further inconvenience.
Not bad at all for a screwed up flight.
Many planes already have this, but they require an adapter (EmPower) that most people don't have.
I vote for continual screenings of Sack Lunch and The English Patient. Especially on trips to Tunisia that go through Cuba.
And maybe Cry, Cry Again and Death Blow.
Good!
I am sick of ALL broadcasts-—video or audio-—imposed upon me in public places.
If people want to listen to music or watch movies, there are little gadgets they can get to do that and do it quietly.
Yes, esp. compared to having your flight hijacked, people aboard murdered and then your country attacked.
/sarc /sarc
Maybe you need to do a little more reading on-—or watch something on The History Channel-—as to what the Gestapo actually was like.
You haven’t seen it in this country, FRiend. And my advice is not to throw around such allusions lightly.
I read that just slowing down enough to increase flight time by a couple of minutes could save millions in fuel costs.
Now that’s purty!
And, you’re right.
Uh, taking your shoes and jacket off and having your cologne and toothpaste confiscated . . . you’re still not close to Gestapo territory.
Personally, I plan ahead and accept that we do what we gotta do. Sometimes I even feel pride looking around at so many people (not all) willing to do what they can to help, without whining or moaning.
These days you can bring your own movies on personal players like the iPhone.
A flight cruising at roughly 0.80 Mach (roughly 525 mph with no wind) at 36,000 ft, going 3000 miles, slowing down 1% will lengthen the flight 3 minutes and reduce fuel consumption by, I would guess, 2%.
The passengers will not notice three more minutes on a nearly-six-hour flight, but the airline will definitely notice a 2% fuel savings.
Thanks!
BTW, I think the same principle pertains to the automobile. :)
Yep, but only the newer models.
Very few airlines are retrofitting the older aircraft.
I’ve only been able to use my Dell adaptor once or twice, and rarely on long trips to Korea (older NW 747s).
Hopefully, they’ve improved the fleet.
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