Although cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages, remain of the utmost importance to most travelers, airline entertainment options are growing in significance when airlines prices are relatively the same.
The following is a summary pulled together by Conde Nast Traveler of in flight entertainment options currently offered by domestic airlines in the U.S.:
Alaska Airlines offer Wi-Fi onboard on almost all of its planes. On flights longer than three hours passengers can rent a DigEPlayer from $8 to $10 to view video on demand.
American Airlines has plans to offer Wi-Fi via Gogo on all of its domestic airplanes, though not on American Eagle regional aircraft, but is not clear yet when this will happen. Old fashioned entertainment is currently offered via overhead video screens on its 757s and 737-800s.
Delta is one of the leaders in installing Wi-Fi and video options on planes. Gogo Wi-Fi is available on every domestic Delta plane that seats over 50 passengers. Many of its planes offer personal video screens. Live TV is free, with on demand viewing options priced from $1 to $6.
Frontier entertainment options vary depending on the type of plane. Pricing for live TV and movies range from $3.99 on shorter flights to as much as $7.99.
United is way behind its competition regarding Wi-Fi installation. To date, Wi-Fi is only available on planes flying between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco.
US Airways offers Wi-Fi via Gogo on its A321 planes and has plans to roll out this service to the rest of its fleet. While there are no video screens on US Airways domestic fleet, streaming video is expected to be available soon.
Virgin America offers Wi-Fi and satellite TV as well as movies on all of its planes. www.cheapfares.com