US Airways to Shut Down In-Flight Movies

Passengers traveling on US Airways should bring extra crossword puzzles, playing cards and reading material come November, as the airline announced plans to remove in-flight entertainment systems from 200 aircraft, the Associated Press reports. The systems will be  taken out of domestic flights (widebody aircraft for international flights and trips to Hawaii are not affected) in order to save nearly $10 million annually, according to airline spokesman Phil Gee.

Gee also told the AP that movie systems weigh close to 500 pounds and force planes to use more fuel while flying. Later this year, US Airways will test a lighter, seat-back TV system to bring in-flight entertainment back to aircraft, but, according to Gee, it will be a long time until its implementation.

The removal of the the entertainment systems is the latest in economic measures taken by the airline, including checked-bag and beverage fees and an increase in change fees.