UK Airline to use PSPs

UK airline Thomas Cook is to replace their current in flight entertainment systems with Sony Playstation Portables, charging customers for the privilege of using one. It comes as one of a new wave of initiatives from airlines to increase revenue without increasing flight tickets prices.

If you regularly books flights to the UK you will know that Thomas Cook are perhaps the cheapest airline to cross the Atlantic. This is why I am flying with them on Thursday when I return to the mountains of Canada. I know that when on long haul flights such as these, you need something to entertain you or you will be agonisingly bored.

In a effort recoup some dwindling profits many airlines are trying new ways to charge people flying with them. Thomas Cook are now to remove the free in flight entertainment system to replace it with PSP consoles that customers will be charged to use. UK’s easyJet introduced optional PSP hire in April. Jetstar recently announced plans to charge passengers $10 to hire Apple iPads, containing pre-loaded ebooks and feature films on its flights too.

Extra charges on flights has increased 42% since 2008.