[mech4bg]

>It’s becoming somewhat of a popular trend in the airline industry to cut costs by having the passenger bring the hardware, and as an added bonus they get to force their way into your coveted list of installed apps.

TBH I see this as a positive - less weight on the plane, less fuel consumed, less waste when these screens are junked, etc. I personally always take a ton of videos with me and just watch my own stuff, I would never trust that the in-flight stuff is working (although I admit I overprepare and it's still important to provide this). And when you're flying - having the app installed is a net positive, it has maps of the airports (with great directions, which is super helpful when you're making a connection), can manage your ticket, etc - the videos are a bonus.

[lentil_soup]

> less weight on the plane, less fuel consumed

For a plane that's negligible.

Tbh, I don't want to sit on a 12hr flight watching a phone screen. I have to hold it on my hand, have nowhere to put it while eating, I have to plug it in to a charger as well (and it's never guaranteed there'll be a plug) + what the OP said about having to download more stuff to my phone I don't want or I might not have space for.

[mech4bg]

FWIW I've noticed on a lot of airlines removing the screens have phone holders in their place and always have a USB charger.

It's a moderate weight saving, there are some details in this article: https://www.fastcompany.com/3034196/airlines-are-tossing-sea...