Ryanair is dropping plans to offer portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) units across its fleet after a lacklustre response from passengers.

The Irish low-cost carrier began a much-publicised trial in November of the DigEplayer 5500 handheld system, developed by US-based Aircraft Protective Systems (APS).

At the time it claimed the system would contribute USD17 million in first year earnings to its bottom line.

But it said a disappointing response by passengers meant it would no longer continue with the “experimental in-flight entertainment system.”

APS claimed the system’s success was hampered by the short duration of most Ryanair flights. It claimed to now be working on a new solution for short-haul services.

18 April 2005

Ryanair drops paid-for service

By Kevin Done, Aerospace Correspondent

Published: April 18 2005 03:00 | Last updated: April 18 2005 03:00

Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has abandoned its experiment in paid-for in-flight entertainment, after passengers were reluctant to pay for what had once been a free service.

The in-flight entertainment trial was launched last November. Now a Ryanair spokesman said the service was ``being withdrawn because of lack of interest from passengers``.