Ruth Haines
In the early 2000s, travellers could rent portable DVD players and movies at some airports in the US. InMotion Pictures, for example, offered rentals at airports in Portland, Seattle, Denver, San Jose, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, and San Diego. The rental price ranged from $10 to $12.50 per day. However, some airlines, such as Alitalia, did not allow the use of portable DVD players on their planes, considering them a dangerous item. Today, it seems that the option to rent DVD players at airports is less common, with most airlines now offering built-in seat-back video screens and multiple movie choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you rent DVD players at the airport? | Yes, some airports have kiosks that rent DVD players and movies. |
| Where is this service available? | InMotion Pictures offers rentals at several airports in the US, including Portland, Seattle, Denver, San Jose, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, and San Diego. |
| Cost of renting | The cost varies but is generally around $10 to $12.50 per day for the player, a movie, and a headset. Extra movies and headsets can be rented for an additional fee. |
| Benefits | Provides entertainment options during flights, especially on airlines without individual seat-back screens or a good selection of movies. |
| Drawbacks | Some users have reported issues with battery life, and certain airlines may not allow the use of portable DVD players. |
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What You'll Learn
InMotion Pictures offers DVD player rentals at some US airports
InMotion Pictures, an airport-based electronics retailer, offers DVD player rentals at some US airports. The company, which is based in Jacksonville, Florida, began as a movie rental kiosk in February 1999 and has since expanded to 116 stores in 43 airports, with almost 800 employees. InMotion Pictures offers a convenient service for travellers, allowing them to rent portable DVD players and movies to keep themselves entertained during flights. This is especially useful for those facing long flights with limited entertainment options or for parents travelling with children.
The rental price for a battery-powered, portable DVD player ranges from $10 to $12.50 per day, with extra movies available for $4 per title and additional earphones for $2.50. Travellers can also rent just movie discs if they are carrying their own portable players or laptop computers with DVD drives. InMotion Pictures offers a wide range of films, from popular hits to art-house fare, as well as comedies and children's films.
InMotion Pictures initially had outlets in the airports serving Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Denver; San Jose; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Philadelphia; and San Diego. They planned to expand to more locations, including Atlanta, Orlando, Cincinnati, and La Guardia Airport in New York. The company's kiosks are open for up to 16 hours a day, depending on the location.
While some airlines provide in-seat entertainment options or lend personal DVD players in first and business class, InMotion Pictures fills a gap by providing entertainment when other options are not available or appealing. However, it is important to note that some airlines, like Alitalia, do not allow the use of portable DVD players or personal computers due to safety concerns. Therefore, it is advisable to check with the airline before renting a DVD player for your flight.
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DVD player rental kiosks at airports
InMotion Pictures, for example, offers DVD player and movie rentals at several US airports, including Portland, Seattle, Denver, and San Diego. The rental price typically ranges from $10 to $12.50 per day, and travellers can also rent movie discs and earphones for an additional cost. Other airport DVD rental services may also be available, and travellers can check their airport's website for specific information.
Renting a DVD player at the airport can be advantageous for travellers facing long flight delays or looking for entertainment during long flights. It provides a choice of movies and TV shows and can be especially useful when airlines have limited or edited entertainment options. Additionally, renting a DVD player can be a good option for families travelling with children, as it offers a way to keep them entertained during the flight.
However, there can be challenges with renting DVD players at airports. For example, battery life may be an issue, and travellers might need to request additional batteries or manage battery packs during their flight. It is also essential to consider the cost, as renting a DVD player and movies for multiple family members can add up quickly.
In some cases, travellers may prefer to bring their own DVD players or purchase new ones specifically for their trip. This eliminates the need to worry about rental availability, battery life, or returning the rented items. Additionally, bringing personal DVD players provides the option to bring favourite movies or TV shows from home.
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Airlines that offer in-flight entertainment
While some airlines still offer in-flight entertainment through seat-back screens, others are now providing Wi-Fi and in-seat power, allowing passengers to use their personal devices.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers a wide range of in-flight entertainment options. Passengers can enjoy award-winning Apple Originals, Apple TV+, and Apple Music for free on their devices. The airline also offers a variety of movies and TV shows in different languages, which are updated monthly.
Delta
Delta offers a comprehensive in-flight entertainment system, including movies, TV, Wi-Fi, snacks, and more, all available for free. They have seatback screens on most flights, which offer various forms of entertainment, such as movies, games, digital magazines, and guided meditations. Delta has also partnered with MasterClass to offer streaming classes from renowned experts.
JetBlue
JetBlue provides seatback screens on most of their flights, offering free movies and other entertainment options.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines offers free texting to all passengers, allowing them to stay connected during their journey.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines provides transparent pricing for Wi-Fi at $8 per device, per flight. They also offer opportunities for loyal or high-paying passengers to obtain free Wi-Fi.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines has been rated as providing the worst in-flight experience, with no movies, TV, or Wi-Fi, not even for purchase.
It is worth noting that some airlines, like Alitalia, do not allow the use of portable CD or DVD players, personal computers, or similar devices during flights, deeming them "dangerous for the plane." However, companies like InMotion Pictures offer rentals of portable DVD players and movies to passengers at some US airports, including Portland, Seattle, Denver, and San Diego. Passengers can also bring their own DVDs to play on the plane's system or rent movie disks for their devices.
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Issues with renting DVD players
DVD players used to be a common offering at airports, but with the advent of in-flight entertainment and personal devices, their popularity has declined. While some travellers still opt to rent DVD players and movies at airports, there are several issues with this practice:
Firstly, limited battery life can be a significant problem with rented DVD players. On flights, low batteries may cause inconvenience and disrupt the viewing experience. This issue may be less prevalent with personal DVD players, where individuals can ensure sufficient charging before their journey.
Secondly, renting a DVD player can be relatively expensive, especially for a round trip. The cost of renting a DVD player and movies for the duration of a trip may exceed the price of purchasing a basic DVD player. Additionally, travellers must keep track of the rented equipment during their travels, adding to their list of items to manage.
Moreover, some airlines have policies prohibiting the use of portable DVD players and personal computers due to unspecified safety concerns, particularly on Airbus planes. This restriction can render rented DVD players useless on certain flights, despite the extra cost and effort incurred by travellers.
Furthermore, the availability of in-seat power options varies across airlines and aircraft types. While some airlines provide power adapters or specific plugs for DVD players, others do not offer compatible power sources. This inconsistency can make renting a DVD player unreliable, as travellers cannot guarantee access to power during their flight.
Lastly, the decline in DVD player rentals reflects a broader shift in entertainment consumption. With the rise of streaming services and digital content, DVDs and their players have become less popular. As a result, the market for renting DVD players has diminished, and it may be more challenging to find rental services or convenient pick-up and drop-off locations.
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Alternatives to renting DVD players
- Bring your own device: Some airlines, such as US Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa, allow the use of personal DVD players on their flights. Bringing your own device can save you the cost and hassle of renting one at the airport.
- In-flight entertainment: Many airlines now offer in-flight entertainment systems, including seat-back video screens with multiple movie choices. American Airlines, for example, lends personal DVD players in first and business classes on long-haul flights.
- Use a streaming service: Instead of renting DVDs, you can subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix, which offers a vast library of movies and TV shows that can be accessed on various devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Alternative rental services: If you're looking for physical DVD rentals, there are several alternatives to renting at the airport. Services like Redbox, GameFly, and Cafe DVD offer DVD rentals by mail or through kiosks located in various retail outlets. These services often provide a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and games at competitive prices.
- Library rentals: Your local library may offer DVD rentals or Interlibrary Loans, allowing you to borrow DVDs from other libraries. This can be a great option for free or low-cost entertainment, especially if your library has an extensive movie collection.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can rent DVD players at the airport.
InMotion Pictures offers rentals of portable DVD players and movies at several airports in the US, including Portland, Seattle, Denver, and San Diego.
The cost of renting a DVD player at the airport typically ranges from $10 to $12.50 per day, and you can also rent movies and headphones for an additional fee.
Yes, you can bring your own DVD player on an airplane, but some airlines may have restrictions on their use during the flight. It is recommended to check with your airline before your travel.
Yes, you can bring your own DVDs to play on the plane's entertainment system, or purchase a portable DVD player before your trip. Additionally, some airlines provide in-seat power and entertainment options, making it unnecessary to bring your own device.
