While other US legacy carriers have pushed to improve the quality of their services, thus increasing revenues and costs, 
American Airlines has moved forward with an austerity approach. One such cost-cutting measure has been the reduction of services with seatback entertainment, and a failure to move with the times to keep up with quality expectations for the remaining seatback entertainment. Notably, the carrier has opted to remove seatback screens from its A319s in its latest retrofit program. These jets were the carrier’s final short-to-medium haul aircraft equipped with seatback screens.
This move has been implemented to save costs. Screens cost money to install and upkeep, and licensing for the films and TV is not free. Furthermore, screens add additional weight, contributing to greater fuel burn needed to carry out services. In this article, discover how American Airlines is reducing its seatback screen offerings and sticking with obsolete systems on longer flights. You can then learn how this approach compares with other airlines.
The reason that American Airlines’ move away from seatback screens is worthy of conversation is that the airline has begun retrofitting the cabins of over 30 legacy Airbus A319s. This move is important because the legacy A319s were the last of the carrier’s short-to-medium-haul aircraft that were fitted with seatback screens. Soon, no American Airlines short and medium-haul passengers will be able to enjoy seatback screens. The retrofit will also expand the first-class cabin. The aircraft involved have been sent to El Salvador for the retrofit, with the first being N8001N.
“Legacy” refers to the carrier’s 32 A319s that were received from 2013 to 2015, with the airline’s other A319s having been inherited from US Airways and America West Airlines. The legacy A319s are also noteworthy as the only Sharlet-equipped A319s that operate in the US. It is unusual that the aircraft referred to as “legacy” are younger in age. Furthermore, they will be American Airlines’ first batch of aircraft to be overhauled as part of its fleet retrofitting efforts.
This will set American Airlines back from the competition, as it will become the only US legacy carrier that has no seatback entertainment on its short-to-medium-haul aircraft. Carriers like 
Delta Air Lines and 
United Airlineshave opted to continue seatback entertainment. These carrier retrofits have focused on improving and installing seatback screens.
It won’t be a case of bringing a book or getting bored should American Airlines completely phase out seatback screens, although you may still need to bring your own entertainment. Seatback screens are being replaced by seatback device holders, a measure designed to save weight. However, you will still be able to access entertainment on aircraft that don’t have seatback screens. Simply connect to the “AA-Inflight” WiFi and enter aainflight.com into your browser. You can then select “view free entertainment” and choose the movie or TV show that you would like to watch. This is available on smartphones, tablets and laptops, although it may not work until the aircraft reaches 10,000 ft. The Wi-Fi is free for T-Mobile customers on certain plans, and for other individuals for a fee.
To prevent a sore wrist, use the seatback device holder in front of you while enjoying the entertainment. Above the tray table latch, there will be a small lever. Pull this to drop a small tray, and continue lifting the level while you put your device in and make sure it is a snug fit. You will need to stow away the tray and larger devices for takeoff and landing.
The American Airlines entertainment portal offers a diverse selection of movies and TV shows suitable for all ages. It is constantly updated as American Airlines’ licenses to show certain programs change. However, you can expect to find the latest releases alongside classics. At the time of writing in August 2025, you can watch new films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Minecraft Movie, and more. Classics include the original Superman, Titanic, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. You can also choose from a range of music, audiobooks, and podcasts, ideal for longer flights where you might not want to watch movies back-to-back.
While American Airlines is moving away from seatback entertainment for its shorter flights, it does appear to acknowledge that this would be a woefully unpopular measure for longer flights. It has committed to a strong seatback entertainment offering for its 787 fleet. The airline seat map database aeroLOPA shows that the carrier’s entire 787 fleet has seatback entertainment. The technology is provided by Panasonic and Thales. Panasonic also provides WiFi alongside Viasat:
|
787 Variant: |
Flagship Business: |
Premium Economy: |
Main Cabin Extra: |
Main Cabin: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
787-8 (Concept “D” & Safran Seats) |
15.4-inch Touchscreen Display |
11.5-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
|
787-8 (Collins Aerospace Seats) |
15.4-inch Touchscreen Display |
11.5-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
|
787-9 (High Density Configuration) |
15.4-inch Touchscreen Display |
11.5-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
9-inch Touchscreen Display |
|
787-9 (Premium Heavy Configuration) |
4K Touchscreen Display Featuring Bluetooth Connectivity |
4K Touchscreen Display Featuring Bluetooth Connectivity |
4K Touchscreen Display Featuring Bluetooth Connectivity |
4K Touchscreen Display Featuring Bluetooth Connectivity |
Panasonic’s eX2 AVOD system can be enjoyed on American Airlines’ higher-density 787-9s and original 787-8s. Meanwhile, new 787s tend to have Thales’ Avant system. Once American Airlines deploys its premium 787-9, it is expected to come with updated Avant entertainment systems.
The table below shows the range of seatback entertainment available across American Airlines’ 787s across each variant and class.
American Airlines appears committed to keeping its seatback entertainment for its longer flights. However, it has failed to invest in the latest systems, another case of the airline falling behind its legacy competition. One example is that it still uses the outdated Panasonic eX2 Avod system, rather than the Astrova system. Astrova launched in January 2025 with Icelandair. The carrier uses it on its Airbus A321LRs. This system uses wireless headphones, and was the first IFE product with 4K OLED technology. The system is also more lightweight due to the extremely thin display, has programmable LED lighting, and is equipped with USB-C ports. United has also announced that it will use the Astrova system.
The CEO of Panasonic Avionics said, “We are confident that Astrova will connect passengers to United more effectively than any other IFE solution, and we will continue to optimize passenger engagement with a cabin experience that keeps pace with innovation in the consumer technology space.”
Astrova should be a far more future-proof system than the eX2 Avod system because it has a modular design that makes incremental hardware and software upgrades possible.
Legacy airlines from across the Pacific have also beaten American to the Astrova system. One example is Qantas, which will roll out the entertainment system aboard its A350s as part of Project Sunrise. With the A350-1000 able to fly for 20 hours without stopping, excellent entertainment is a must-have to avoid disgruntled passengers.
Andy Masson, Panasonic Avionics’ Vice President of Product Management, said, “Working closely with Qantas, our joint mission was to design a system that delivered all the creature comforts of home – everything from cinema-grade picture quality to high-fidelity audio and enough power to fast-charge all passenger devices.”
The key to great entertainment is choice. Airlines like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines give passengers the opportunity to use a seatback screen or their own devices. The quality of entertainment is also exceptional with Delta. Most impressively, the carrier offers live TV. This began in 1996, so that the carrier could broadcast the Atlanta Olympic Games. The testbed was a Boeing 767 known as “The Spirit of Delta.” A satellite TV receiver was fitted to the aircraft. Following successful tests, passengers could watch the 1996 World Series live while cruising.
Live TV became comprehensively available to Delta passengers in 2023 when the carrier introduced the technology across its widebody fleet, marking the first time live TV was integrated into domestic routes. Delta calls this a “connected living room experience in the sky.”
Today, Delta’s live TV offering is available across much of the Airbus fleet – including A319s, A220s, and A321s – and Boeing 737s, 757s, and more. Multiple channels are available at no additional cost, perfect for following your team, keeping up with the news, or watching the latest episode of your favorite TV show. Streaming of a range of TV shows and movies is also available if none of the live channels are to your taste.
On August 1st, a British Airways Airbus A380 flying from Johannesburg OR Tambo International in South Africa to London Heathrow was forced to return to its point of origin due to reports of smoke in the cabin. It was later revealed that the problem even affected the jet’s crew rest area.
The issue forced the double-decker quadjet to return to Johannesburg. Because it didn’t perform a fuel dump, the landing was fairly heavy.
Additionally, newly serviced aircraft are returning to operations, and another widebody is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
The national carrier says the move will improve reliability, reduce disruptions and enhance passenger experience as it strengthens its regional and international network.
The two 737-800s replace two Bombardier CRJs that have already been phased out and sold. The 737s are the backbone of the carrier’s African network and also serve Dubai and Doha.
In recent months, RwandAir faced what CEO Yvonne Makolo describes as “several unexpected technical disruptions” that temporarily reduced available capacity. This led to adjustments in flight schedules and inconvenienced travelers.
“RwandAir is pleased to have resolved the challenges to our schedules over the last weeks and to welcome our aircraft back into operation,” Makolo says.
“Together with the arrival of new aircraft, the strengthened fleet will enable RwandAir to improve reliability, strengthen our schedules and deliver an even better travel experience to all our passengers.”
The carrier will also continue operating its De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s on domestic and regional routes, though Makolo says the airline has struggled to source replacement parts for the turboprops and that eventual replacements are under consideration.
Looking ahead, Makolo tells Aviation Week for an interview with African Aerospace magazine that the airline expects to take delivery of a widebody Airbus A330-200 in the fourth quarter of this year, expanding its capacity for long-haul flights. The airline has also set an ambitious goal of doubling its fleet over the next five years.
“The investment in both narrowbody and widebody aircraft reflects RwandAir’s strategic focus on intra-Africa travel and our goal of connecting Africa to the world,” Makolo says.
Air Canada is the flag carrier of Canada and the largest carrier in the country. Since the turn of the millennium, Air Canada’s once-dominant market share has declined, as low-cost carriers have risen. Even so, Air Canada remains the dominant carrier in Canada and possesses almost all of the country’s widebody aircraft.
The three-day August 2025 Air Canada strike is over, flight attendants have gone back to work, and the airline’s aircraft are flying again. But why were Air Canada flight attendants striking, and what’s next for the airline? Here is what to know about the Air Canada strike and what flight attendants can expect.
The Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge strike has come to an end after the airline and the union representing the airline’s flight attendants came to a tentative agreement. This put an end to the days-long strike that resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and left hundreds of thousands of passengers unable to fly. Over 700 flights had been canceled a day due to the strike between Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
Hugh Pouliot, spokesman for the Canadian Union for Public Employees (CUPE), stated, “Flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have reached a tentative agreement, achieving transformational change for our industry after a historic fight to affirm our Charter rights. Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power.” The CUPE represented some 10,000 striking flight attendants.
The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) had declared the strike illegal. Those who went against the CIRB could have been found in contempt of court, which could have led to fines or jail time if the government had sought court enforcement. Even so, flight attendants stood on the picket line. According to Reuters, Hugh Pouliot had previously even said he preferred to risk jail time than allow flight attendants to be forced back to work by the federal government.
It’s unclear exactly what the agreement between Air Canada and the union is. On its website, CUPE simply states, “Flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have reached a tentative agreement, achieving transformational change for our industry after a historic fight to affirm our Charter rights.” However, it is clear that the flight attendants are getting a significant increase in wages.
A news release by Air Canada on August 14, titled “Air Canada Provides Clarity on its Offer to CUPE,” provides some clues. The airline offered a 38% increase in total compensation over four years. This would include a new provision for ground pay; hourly rates would go as high as CAD 94 (USD 67) per hour in the first year, and hourly pay would increase 12-16% in the first year. Air Canada said by 2027, a senior flight attendant would earn CAD 87,000 (USD 63,000) annually on average.
|
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike |
|
|---|---|
|
Affected airlines |
Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge (not JAZZ or PAL Airlines) |
|
Number of striking flight attendants |
10,517 |
|
Dates |
August 16-19, 2025 |
|
Duration |
3 days |
|
Aims |
Increased flight attendant pay, compensation for unpaid work |
The top 20% of flight attendants would earn CAD 90,000 (USD 65,000) or more a year. Other benefits would include improvements to health benefits and pension plans, increased paid vacation, measures to improve work-life balance, and more. Air Canada claims it is the only Canadian airline to offer flight attendants access to a pension with a defined benefit component and that they would earn up to CAD 17 (USD 12) more per hour than those working for the largest domestic competitor (WestJet).
According to Air Canada’s website, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge employ around 10,400 flight attendants who are represented by the CUPE. It is difficult to compare flight attendants’ pay from different airlines and different countries. Not only do cabin crew earn in different currencies, but compensation is also complicated. The following is per Air Canada’s website before the new negotiated pay.
A flight attendant’s compensation is made up of base pay, incentive awards, a defined pension plan, health benefits, sick days, vacation pay, and discounted leisure travel for not only themselves, but also their families and friends. A flight attendant who was hired in 2015 on a starting wage of CAD 25.13 (USD 18) per hour would be earning CAD 63.07 (USD 46) per hour in 2025. Service directors are paid CAD $73.03 (USD 53) per hour on narrowbody aircraft and CAD 87.01 (USD 63) per hour on widebody aircraft in 2025.
|
Hourly rate for Air Canada cabin crew (per Air Canada) with five years of service |
|
|---|---|
|
Rouge flight attendant |
CAD 41.39 (USD 30) |
|
Mainline flight attendant |
CAD 63.07 (USD 46) |
|
Service director |
Up to CAD 87.01 (USD 63) |
With Rouge flights, flight attendants are paid CAD41.39 with five years of service. According to Air Canada, a service director working for Air Canada earned an average of CAD 80,000 (USD 58,000) in 2024, excluding incentive rewards and Health and Pension benefits. The airline also says that half of Air Canada’s mainline flight attendants earned over CAD 54,000 (USD 39,000) in 2024, excluding the aforementioned rewards and benefits. The highest-paid flight attendants earned in excess of CAD 70,000 (USD 50,600). For reference, the average US flight attendant earns USD 67,800 to USD 86,400 per year.
Canadian airfares are also typically much cheaper than their counterparts in the United States. The average US domestic airfare is around USD 397 in 2025. In the EU and UK, many competing low-cost carriers, shorter distances, and dense populations help reduce the average airfare to around USD 105.
The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides estimates for the average domestic fares from major airports. From Los Angeles, the average fare is USD 408, and USD 417 from NY-JFK. From NY-LaGuardia, the average fare is USD 337. Orlando is notable for being a large airport with comparatively low-cost airfares at USD 294.
|
Country/region |
Estimated 2025 average domestic/regional European airfares (USD) |
|---|---|
|
$105 |
|
|
Australia (per Australian Aviation) |
$130 |
|
Canada (per Statistics Canada) |
$190, may exclude taxes ($694 for Air Canada per OAG) |
|
United States (per BTS) |
$397 |
In 2019, Statistics Canada listed the average domestic Canadian flight at CAD 176.60 or around USD 128. The average Canadian airfare is estimated to have increased to around USD 190. This makes domestic Canadian fares in a similar league, but still more expensive than Australia, where the average airfare is around USD 130. The low domestic Canadian fares are confusing, as OAG reported that Air Canada’s average domestic airfare was USD 694 in 2024. While low-cost carriers like WestJet and Porter offer lower fares, it’s unclear why it’s so much higher than Statistics Canada’s average airfare. One figure may include taxes, while the other doesn’t.
Air Canada has a mainline fleet of 216 aircraft, while its low-cost Air Canada Rouge subsidiary has a fleet of 37 aircraft. Air Canada Rouge’s fleet is now completely made up of Airbus A320 family narrowbody aircraft. Air Canada’s narrowbody fleet is composed of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft with 37 A220s, 39 Airbus A320 family, and 47 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Air Canada is the only Canadian airline to have purchased the Canadian-built (formerly Bombardier CSeries) A220 airliner. Its widebody fleet consists of eight remaining aging Boeing 767s, 25 Boeing 777s, and 40 Boeing 787s (inc. eight 787-8s and 32 787-9s). It has another 18 Boeing 787-10s on order.
|
Air Canada mainline fleet (per Planespotters.net) |
|
|---|---|
|
Airbus A220 (formerly CSeries) |
37 |
|
Airbus A320 family |
39 |
|
Airbus A330 |
20 |
|
Boeing 737 family |
47 |
|
Boeing 767 |
8 |
|
Boeing 777 |
25 |
|
Boeing 787 |
40 |
|
Total |
216 |
According to CBC News, when it comes to the Canadian airline share of domestic passengers in 2023, Air Canada has a 34.1% share, WestJet has 30.1%, Flair Airlines comes next with a 9.8% share, Porter’s share is 9.0%, and all others have 17.0%. Canadian authorities have drawn attention to the Air Canada and WestJet duopoly with recommendations on how to increase competition.
Overall, the flight attendants’ strikes are not likely to impact Air Canada much. When it comes to long-haul flights, Air Canada dominates with a fleet of 73 widebody aircraft, while WestJet only has a fleet of seven Dreamliners. The pay rise for flight attendants should make the airline more attractive to people to work for, although it’s unclear how much it will impact the airline’s fares.
WestJet is Air Canada’s primary competition and already generally offers lower airfares on average. WestJet is a low-cost airline that is sometimes described as having the lowest-priced flights in Canada. This makes it appealing to budget-conscious travelers, while Air Canada is a full-service national airline offering a higher standard of service, but also at a premium.
While Air Canada is the flag carrier of Canada, it is not publicly owned, although the Government of Canada does have an approximately 6.4% share in the airline as a result of a pandemic bailout. Air Canada was previously owned by the government, but became fully privatized in 1989. The airline’s shares are publicly traded. While the private equity firm, Onex Corp, has a 75% share of WestJet, a group of international airlines that includes Delta Air Lines is acquiring the remaining 25% share.
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