What would happen if you ripped out all the TVs and associated wiring from a plane and gave everyone an iPad instead? Well, we just found out: the plane becomes 7 per cent lighter and saves a heap of fuel as a result.
A new budget airline, called Scoot, launched yesterday. It’s taken its planes from its parent company, Singapore Airlines, but decided to change the way it serves up entertainment, reports Bloomberg. That’s seen them remove the entire aircraft entertainment system from each of its aeroplanes — which in total weighed more than two tons per aircraft.
Instead, budget flyers will be charged $US17 a trip to rent an iPad, which is pre-loaded with movies, music, games and television shows. All told, the overall weight saving is 7 per cent, which will make a massive difference to fuel efficiency. In fact, why doesn’t every airline do it? [Bloomberg]