American Airlines will reportedly ditch seat-back monitors on its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on US domestic routes because most passengers travel with mobile phones, laptops and tablets.
The airline will instead upgrade the in-flight internet speed, to ensure passengers can browse the web and stream films quickly.
“More than 90% of our passengers already bring a device or screen with them when they fly,” the carrier is reported as saying in a statement to its employees on Tuesday.
“Those phones and tablets are continually upgraded, they’re easy to use and, most importantly, they are the technology our customers have chosen.”
The airline’s library of in-flight films, TV shows and music will be available free of charge, although passengers will have to pay for on-board internet access. The fee has not yet been announced, according to the Daily Telegraph.
American will take delivery of four new Boeing MAX aircraft later this year, the first installment of a 100-stromng order.
The airline has requested no seat-back screens on this first batch, but has not revealed whether subsequent new aircraft will be without monitors as well.
The airline has stated that seat-back screens will remain on its international routes.