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Is in-flight entertainment about to be grounded for good? 

Travellers flying with American Airlines on their new planes will have to bring their own entertainment as the carrier is set to ditch seat-back screens.

Recognising that almost 90 per cent of its passengers bring their own devices, the airline will not include monitors on board its new fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

In-flight entertainment is going DIY on American Airlines, which is ditching seat-back screens on its new fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft (file image)

Instead, fliers will have to connect to the airline's on-board library to watch free movies and TV shows, on their own personal phones, tablets or laptops.

The carrier has ordered 100 new 737s without seat-back monitors, with the first four planes expected to be delivered later this year.

In a statement, the airline explained the move: 'It makes sense for American to focus on giving customers the best entertainment and fast connection options rather than installing seat-back monitors that will be obsolete within a few years.'

Passengers tuning into the on-board entertainment library on their own devices can listen to music and watch video content for free but to stream or surf the net, they will have to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi. The fee for this has not been revealed.

Addressing fliers' concerns that their personal devices will not have enough battery power for an entire journey, American Airlines is adding power to every seat on much of its fleet, according to Skift.

It plans to offer extra power on half of its narrowbody fleet by the end of 2018, the travel industry website reports.

Despite the absence of built-in screens on some planes operating on domestic routes, the airline has not announced plans to modify their aircraft serving international routes.

The company is also set to acquire dozens of Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 aeroplanes which still feature the monitors, according to Consumerist.

The airline recognises that 90 per cent of its passengers bring their own devices so offers in-flight Wi-Fi and is rolling out power outlets on every seat (file image)

AA fliers wanting to watch movies or TV on the carrier's new aircraft will need to be careful about how much tech they pack if they purchase the new basic economy ticket, because it means they will be limited to one item that fits under the seat. 

They won't be able to put wheeled bags in the overhead lockers. 

Delta Air Lines already offers a similar 'bare bones' ticket - and it's soon to be matched by United Airlines. 

Basic-economy customers who bring a big rolling bag to the gate for an American or United flight will get hit with a $25 checked-bag fee and a separate $25 handling charge. 

American Airlines is not the first carrier to remove seat-back screens and to charge for Wi-Fi - Jetstar, West Jet and Virgin Australia have a similar service on some flights.