Thomas Cook set to replace in-flight entertainment with PSPs

Research has shown that only 1 in 10 Thomas Cook passengers use in-flight entertainment. In order to keep airfares low, Thomas Cook will be doing away with in-flight entertainment altogether and replacing it with rentable PSPs.

Giving passengers the option of paying for their in-flight entertainment will make flights more affordable for people who don't want in-flight entertainment.

The PSPs will be available to hire for £7.50 on short and medium haul flights. The console will be loaded with eight films, television programmes and video games, providing passenger with a wealth of in-flight entertainment options to choose from.

Headphones and headphone splitters will also be available to enable two passengers to share the PSP. But the screen size is so small that sharing a PSP might not be possible, or comfortable.

EasyJet and Frontier Airlines introduced PSPs on their flights in April, and Thomas Cook has decided to follow suit to echo views throughout the airline industry. An Australian airline, Jetstar Airways, has gone one step further by renting out Apple iPads to passengers. Passengers will be able to watch films, listen to music, read e-books and play games on the iPad.

Ryanair tried to introduce handheld entertainment to their flights in 2004, but the idea didn't take off. Due to the unsuccessful trial, at present Ryanair will not be introducing PSPs to their flights as a form of in-flight entertainment. Ryanair has increased its extra charges by a whopping 700 per cent in the last four years.

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