American Airlines to bring back TV screens on US flights

American Airlines has announced it will reinstall seatback television screens throughout its domestic aircraft fleet, reversing its decision from nearly a decade ago to remove these displays in favor of personal device streaming. The airline had initially eliminated the screens to cut weight and maintenance expenses, but passengers complained about dead batteries, poor viewing experiences, and unreliable Wi-Fi connectivity. Meanwhile, competitors like Delta, United, and JetBlue maintained or expanded their seatback entertainment systems, which helped establish screens as an expected standard feature rather than a premium amenity.