In-flight entertainment shows improvement
Chris Kridler
6 July 2004
Florida Today
F Final All
In-flight entertainment shows improvement
Chris Kridler
Tech Today
Florida Today
When the airplane offers "Starsky and Hutch" as a pay-per-view choice, you know the world has changed, and not necessarily for the better.
I miss getting a free movie on a cross-country flight, even if it is something as dubious as "Starsky and Hutch."
Maybe some airlines still do it, but my recent Delta Song flight wanted to charge me five bucks for the privilege. The pay-per-view movie is the perfect complement to the pay-per-eat meals.
One nice improvement on such flights is the live satellite TV channels on the little screen in the back of the seat in front of me. There aren't a ton of channels, but it's kind of fun to watch "Trading Spaces" or a documentary on Animal Planet. The shows help pass the time.
The shows aren't edited to show airplanes as always safe and wonderful, the way in-flight movies used to be. I remember watching a James Bond movie once on an airplane that cut from our heroes in peril in midair to their sudden recovery on the ground. That was more jarring than seeing a fictional plane crash.
At least it's hard to edit live news on CNN. And, as I said, the world has changed. I think we'd rather see the whole story.
I have another guilty pleasure. It's watching other people's DVDs.
More and more, laptops can play DVDs, and some people carry miniature DVD players. I couldn't help sneaking an amused look or two at a neighbor's "Finding Nemo" on a recent flight. The problem, of course, was that I couldn't hear it. So this time, I packed a couple of my own.
Some airlines offer content you can customize. Alaska Airlines rents the digEplayer for $10, packed with shows, travel info and lots of movies to choose from.
Hey, I'd just be happy to fly to Alaska.
For now, the easiest entertainment you can get is still a book. And it doesn't need batteries.
AI
