United Airlines will soon offer seatback entertainment on every plane seat.The announcement was made by the Chicago-based airline while it announced the news about its order for 270 new Boeing and Airbus planesUnited's largest fleet expansion.All seats in these planes will be equipped with screens that are loaded with hundreds of movies, TV series, games, music and other entertainment that passengers can access free of charge.Furthermore, all existing narrow-body aircraft will be retrofitted by the airline with individual screens by 2025. 66% of the project is expected to be completed in the next two years.AdvertisementUSA Today reports that only about a third (or less) of United's 580 narrow-body aircraft have seatback screens. United's wide-body planes already have personal screens.Passengers who stream entertainment from the airline using their smartphones or tablets can continue to do so during flights. Additionally, every seat will have a USB port and power outlet to facilitate this.United calls its cabin renovation a "new signature inside" and will include larger overhead bins.AdvertisementAccording to the company, its decision to invest in personal screens was made to enhance the passenger experience.It is clear in my mind that our customers value this," Scott Kirby, CEO, told reporters. "This will make our customers choose United more."Just a few years before the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the major U.S. airlines had seatback screens. Since nearly all passengers carry a smartphone with them, it was logical to make in-flight entertainment available for personal devices. This would allow airlines to save money on expensive equipment that weighs down planes.AdvertisementSouthwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines, which removed screens from Virgin America's aircraft after they acquired that carrier, both stream online entertainment to passengers' devices. American Airlines offers only built-in screens on long flights on large aircraft.JetBlue boasts that it is the only U.S. airline that has seatback screens at all seats, but Delta Air Lines gives it a run for their money by making an effort to add consoles to every plane in its fleet in recent years.These companies, along with United, have clearly determined that passengers love built-in screens and hate using their own devices on flights. They are betting that customers will not be unhappy.AdvertisementThis strategy is something you won't see every day when flying.
