Why American Airlines Doesn’t Want Seatback Screens Anymore

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.

A319 Retrofits Remove Seatback Screens

Photo: DearEdward | Wikimedia Commons

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.

American Airlines’ Device Holder

Photo: PlanespotterA320 | Wikimedia Commons

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.

Medium and Long Haul Seatback Entertainment is Here to Stay

Photo: Glenn Beltz | Wikimedia Commons

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:

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 Isn’t Keeping Up With The Latest Seatback Aviation Technology

Photo: Andre Gerwing | Wikimedia Commons

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.”

Delta Air Lines and Live TV: An In-Flight Entertainment Example To Follow

Photo: Delta News Hub | Wikimedia Commons

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.

IATA Code

AA

ICAO Code

AAL

Year Founded

1926