Ruth Haines
Air travel has evolved significantly in the new millennium, but one of the most notable differences was the experience of being in an airport when one wasn't travelling. The concept of airport television has been around for decades, with nostalgic memories of tiny black-and-white television screens in moulded plastic chairs, providing entertainment for travellers. This evolved into dedicated airport television networks, such as CNN Airport, which recently shut down after nearly 30 years. Beyond in-airport television, there have been TV shows centred around airports, such as the British documentary series Airport airing the inner workings of Heathrow Airport, and Come Fly With Me, a comedic mockumentary-style spoof. With the shift towards digital entertainment, old airport television formats may need to adapt to remain relevant, but they continue to evoke nostalgia and curiosity about the past.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport TV Chairs | Tiny black and white television screens |
| Airport TV Chair screen size | 4-5 inches |
| Airport TV Chair cost | 25 cents for half an hour |
| Reach TV content partners | NBCUniversal, AMC, A+E Networks, Bloomberg, the NFL |
| Old Airport Express use case | Home stereo |
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What You'll Learn
TV chairs at airports
Air travel has changed in numerous ways, but one of the most notable differences is the experience of being in an airport when one is not travelling. Many people reminisce about the "TV chairs" that were once a common feature in airports. These chairs, often made of moulded plastic, were equipped with tiny black-and-white television screens, usually about four to five inches across. For a fee of around 25 cents, passengers could watch about 5 to 30 minutes of local programming.
These TV chairs were a source of fascination for many, especially children, who would beg their parents for a quarter to watch a few minutes of television while waiting for their flight. They provided a unique and individual form of entertainment, offering a personal space to view media alone, which was especially appealing to introverted children.
The experience of using these TV chairs also held a sense of novelty, as it was something done in a public space rather than at home. Additionally, the challenge of finding a channel that worked and the limited programming options added to the excitement.
However, with the advancement of technology, the Tele-A-Chair equipment is no longer economically viable. Nowadays, most people carry their own portable entertainment devices, making the TV chairs obsolete. Despite this, the memory of these chairs remains a nostalgic reminder of a simpler time, triggering fond recollections of family gatherings at airports to see off travelling relatives.
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Nostalgic memories of airport TVs
Air travel has changed in numerous ways over the years, but one of the most notable differences was the experience of being in an airport when you weren't travelling yourself. Many people recall the excitement of going to the airport to see off a relative or friend and the sense of occasion that accompanied such farewells. The ritual of full family accompaniment to the airport was particularly significant for immigrant families, representing a link to their old lives and homelands.
The airport TV chairs of the past are a memorable part of this bygone era. These coin-operated televisions, usually embedded in moulded plastic chairs, offered travellers and visitors a unique form of entertainment. For a quarter, one could watch about 5 to 10 minutes of local programming, often in black and white and on a tiny screen. Despite the less-than-ideal viewing experience, there was something captivating about watching TV at the airport, providing a personal and individual experience in a public space.
For children, airport TVs held a particular fascination. In an era before ubiquitous portable entertainment, these TVs offered a rare opportunity for individual media consumption outside the home. The pay-to-watch model added a layer of novelty, resembling a special treat or amusement akin to a pony ride or a candy vending machine.
Today, with most people carrying smartphones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices, the airport TV chairs of the past have largely disappeared. However, they remain fondly remembered, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time when entertainment options were limited but no less enjoyable.
As one reminisces about the good old days, it's not just the TVs themselves but the context in which they were experienced—the buzz of the airport, the anticipation of travel, and the company of loved ones—that together create a rich tapestry of nostalgic memories.
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*Airport*, the TV show
Airport, the TV Show
The British documentary television series *Airport* is based at London Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. The show was broadcast by the BBC and syndicated to Dave, part of the UKTV network. It first aired on BBC One on 2 May 1996 and was repeated on BBC Two in April 1997. The show was a fly-on-the-wall series that followed passengers and staff who work for the airlines, the airport operator BAA, the animal reception centre, emergency services, customs and immigration, and others.
The show was a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday happenings of the people who work at Heathrow Airport. It also featured interviews with stars of the original series and behind-the-scenes recollections from cast members, as well as original series highlights. Each episode consisted of 3-4 different stories that the show would follow and flash back to as the show progressed. One particular person that the show followed a lot was a ground staff member of Cyprus Airlines.
The show was produced in the wake of 'Driving School' when the appetite for docusoaps was at a high. Celebrities who have been seen on the show include Stephen Fry, Hugh Hefner, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Joan Collins, Michael Jackson, Pamela Anderson, and many others.
The show ran from 1996 to 2008, with repeats being shown on Dave and UKTV People, often as an 'Airport day' or 'Airport weekend' featuring back-to-back episodes. A new series was also broadcast in the first half of 2005. The show also aired once a week on the Australian Lifestyle channel, a feature channel on Australia's Foxtel Digital network.
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*Come Fly With Me*, a spoof of *Airport*
Come Fly With Me is a British mockumentary television comedy series created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, spoofing the British documentaries Airport and Airline. The series follows the activity at a major airport and three fictional airlines: low-cost British airline 'FlyLo', low-cost Irish airline 'Our Lady Air', and major British airline 'Great British Air'.
The series launched on 25 December 2010 on BBC One, with filming taking place at several UK airports, including Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, London Stansted Airport, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Lucas and Walliams portray many of the focal airline and airport staff, as well as some passengers, in a "fly on the wall" documentary style.
The show features a wide array of characters, including Omar Baba, the owner of low-cost airline FlyLo, work-shy coffee kiosk worker Precious Little, and highly camp passenger liaison officer Moses Beacon. The characters are pitch-perfect send-ups of the hapless 'stars' of airport-based reality TV shows, and the material is as funny as "Little Britain", only less raunchy.
The series received generally positive reviews, with viewers praising the talented performances of Lucas and Walliams, the production quality, and the humour derived from the over-the-top and offensive stereotypes. However, some viewers noted that the show is likely funnier if you have seen the 'fly on the wall' shows that it parodies.
A second series of *Come Fly With Me* was initially commissioned by the BBC, but it was later confirmed that the show would not continue, due to Lucas' decision to reject the idea.
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Reach TV's airport screens
Reach TV, founded and led by Lynnwood Bibbens, took over CNN's airport screens in October 2021, after the latter shut down its airport network in March 2021. Reach TV now programs more than 2,500 screens in at least 85 airports across the United States. The company can program each screen individually, allowing for different content in different terminals and airports. For instance, Reach TV may show different content in Terminal C of United LaGuardia compared to Terminal B.
Reach TV's content partners include major media companies such as NBCUniversal, AMC, A+E Networks, Bloomberg, and the NFL. The company's ability to program each airport screen individually was inspired by Netflix's streaming video-on-demand model. This allows Reach TV to establish a "closed-circuit rights" window for its content.
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Frequently asked questions
You can connect your old Apple TV to a barely used TV. You can also use your old Apple TV to stream music. The Apple Airport Express can be used to stream to your stereo.
The Apple Airport Express does not support current wifi speeds.
You can pass your old Apple Airport Express along to someone in need or recycle it responsibly.
You can try using your iPhone as a remote to sign out of your Apple devices.
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