A new report has emerged, indicating that Sony anticipates that PlayStation 5 launch demand will be strong enough in the US that the company is using air transport to ship consoles there to meet supply needs of retailers in time for the console’s release. The PS5 launch is one of the last big secrets of 2020, though that should be sorted out soon, as Sony announced a presentation that seems likely to reveal the console’s cost and release date scheduled for later this week, answering the demands of consumers who now have full knowledge of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X plans.

While much has been made about the PS5 specs and it’s general games lineup – which, following Halo Infinite‘s lengthy delay, may be even stronger now simply by comparison – but Xbox struck first in announcing its pricing and release date, and the result has been a major shift in perception for both consoles. The PS5 now feels like an uncertainty to some, with reports suggesting that Sony may be scrambling to lower the PS5 price at launch to try to meet Microsoft’s Xbox Series prices. In particular, the reveal of a $299 digital-only Xbox Series console at launch has tempted a lot of consumers on a budget, and it will be interesting to see how Sony’s PS5 console line measures up.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Regardless of PS5 price, though, it appears that Sony is gearing up for a launch period that will see the console in high demand in the US. According to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, who reported the news on Twitter and obtained the information from Delta Air Cargo head Jerry Tai, Sony is using air freight shipping to get the PS5 to the US to meet demand at launch. Essentially, Sony is ensuring PS5 supply for retailers isn’t restricted because of shipping delays or issues – and the option is an expensive one, too, as air freight is significantly more expensive than the traditional shipping method for releases like this, which is by boat.

According to Ahmad’s thread, Sony has committed to using 60 flights from October to make sure PS5 supply meets the demands retailers are experiencing for the console at launch. It’s also important to point out that it’s unclear at time of writing whether these are 60 flights or 60 aircraft, but Ahmad stated that it “sounds like each flight will be full,” which means the amount of PS5 launch consoles arriving to the US by air will be significant.

See also  Sony LinkBuds Vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Which Earbuds Are Right For You?

It’s a pricey endeavor for Sony, but it’s also one that could be a nice PR boost ahead of the PS5 release date and price details that will almost surely be unveiled later this week. Sony committing to making sure the console arrives in the US on time for retailers to ship out or sell is a consumer-friendly approach – albeit a very expensive one. Whether that indicates confidence or nervousness on the part of Sony is anyone’s guess.

The PlayStation 5 releases holiday 2020. A release date and price will be revealed on September 16, 2020.

Source: Daniel Ahmad/Twitter

90 Day Fiancé: Juliana Shares Worrying Update About Baby Amid Pregnancy

About The Author


Cody Gravelle
(1589 Articles Published)

Cody is Screen Rant’s Game Reviews Editor. He joined the team in 2018 and has been reporting on games pretty well every day since – except on weekends, where he’s typically playing them instead. Despite being in a field ostensibly about critiquing and enjoying quality games, his most played game of 2019 was Fate/Grand Order – something unlikely to change in 2020 and beyond.

More From Cody Gravelle