FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines today announced that effective Nov. 1, the carrier will offer complimentary inflight entertainment for customers on all audio/video-equipped flights systemwide.
American’s current $5 entertainment charge will be eliminated on all flights within the continental U.S. as well as to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Customers on American will be encouraged to bring their favorite audio headset onboard and enjoy outstanding inflight entertainment, such as CBS Eye on American as well as popular feature films on select flights.
As a convenience to customers who don’t travel with a personal headset, American will have headsets available on most audio/video-equipped flights for its main cabin customers, for the purchase price of $2. Customers may keep the headset for future use on American flights, at no additional charge. American is not making any change to its international policy, which already provides complimentary inflight entertainment. American’s premium class customers will continue to receive complimentary inflight entertainment on all audio/video-equipped flights.
“We are pleased to provide this inflight entertainment enhancement to our customers,” said Veronica Lopes, American’s managing director - Inflight Products. “Today’s announcement is in part a result of many employee suggestions on ways to save money at American. This change will allow us to greatly reduce headset distribution costs while continuing to focus on services our customers tell us add value to their travel experience.”
All American audio/video-equipped aircraft have a standard audio jack allowing for most traditional headsets, including the Bose® Acoustic Noise Canceling® Headsets, currently enjoyed by American’s first and business class passengers on select flights.
American offers up to 14 channels of audio entertainment and up to 10 channels of video programming, depending on the aircraft type. The Boeing 777, used on American’s longest-haul flights, offers a multi-channel system, providing up to 20 hours of continuous video programming and 28 hours of audio programming available on individual video monitors at every passenger seat.
American currently offers inflight entertainment on its Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A300 aircraft. Flights as short as 400 miles (approximately one hour) will offer audio and video programming including CBS Eye on American, shown exclusively on American Airlines. American refreshes its audio programming monthly, while rotating feature films on domestic and Canadian flights every two weeks. CBS Eye on American is custom produced for the airline, offering new bi-directional inflight programming each week.

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