Elevating the In-Flight Experience Through Innovation

In the ever-evolving landscape of the airline industry, the transition from inspiration to booking marks just the beginning of a traveler's experience. Our previous exploration into how technological advancements reshape the booking process paves the way for the next critical chapter in the passenger journey: the in-flight experience. Here, the spotlight naturally turns to technology, particularly regarding passenger entertainment.

As we climb to cruising altitude in this discussion, we zoom in on the transformation of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems. This journey from the early days of overhead projectors and single in-aisle monitors (so-called communal screens) to today's personal seatback touchscreens and Wi-Fi connectivity illustrates how technology has evolved into a critical arena for airlines to distinguish their offerings and enhance passenger satisfaction.?

As we peer into this discussion, the growing bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend poses new challenges (and opportunities) to the traditional role of IFE systems, suggesting a pivotal moment for their relevance in modern air travel.

Historical Overview of In-Flight Entertainment

To properly analyze the current state of IFE systems and onboard entertainment, it's essential to understand the historical context and the evolution of IFE since the inception of commercial aviation.?

Drawing on the insightful overview provided by Lufthansa Systems, let's delve into the rich history of IFE, a journey marked by entrepreneurial spirit and technological breakthroughs.

The genesis of in-flight entertainment is as old as commercial aviation itself, beginning not with the intent to amuse but to inform. In fact, the world’s very first in-flight movie was shown in 1921 and was intended to promote the city of Chicago to Aeromarine Airways passengers. The first scheduled in-flight movie services were then introduced by TWA, not before 1961. The foundation of IFE was built on novelty rather than necessity.

From Overhead Projectors to Personal Screens

A guy named David Flexer experimented with adapting a Kodak film projection system for TWA flights, which marked the "real beginning" of IFE, propelling it into a new era. This “innovation” remained dominant until the development of the Super 8mm film system by a California company named Sundstrand (later Trans Com), leading the shift from film to videotape and setting the stage for a significant evolution in IFE.

The paradigm shift from communal to personal screens further revolutionized the passenger experience. Arn Steventon, a creative businessman, had the visionary idea of integrating miniature LCD TVs into seatbacks during the 1980s, fundamentally changing IFE and paving the way for the personal video screen era. Northwest Airlines' trial of seatback screens in 1988 demonstrated the potential of this technology despite concerns over its high installation costs.

The Digital Revolution and On-Demand Entertainment

The transition to digital technology in the 1990s introduced the concept of on-demand, personalized entertainment, marking a crucial milestone in IFE's history. Interactive Flight Technologies (IFT) illustrated the challenges and opportunities of digital IFE, from introducing the world’s first interactive video-on-demand system to the dilemmas posed by system reliability and cost.

The narrative of IFE is a testament to its continuous transformation, from analog systems to the current digital, on-demand platforms. It’s a story of how technological advancements have sought to create a home-like entertainment experience in the skies, continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible in an aircraft cabin.

Current State of In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) in 2024

The IFE landscape in 2024 presents a mosaic of traditional systems and innovative digital solutions. The current offerings in IFE have significantly evolved, embracing Wi-Fi connectivity and streaming services, allowing passengers to access a vast array of entertainment options at their fingertips. This shift aligns with the broader digital transformation trends across industries, tailoring services to the increasingly tech-savvy consumer base.

In recent years, the movement towards high-speed satellite Wi-Fi onboard has reshaped perspectives on IFE systems. As more airlines provide passengers with the capability to stream content directly to their personal devices—a change that echoes the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend—some carriers have begun to phase out their in-seat screens. The assumption is that passenger satisfaction will not falter, as people often prefer watching content on their own devices. Moreover, eliminating screens can lead to significant cost savings for airlines by reducing the need for heavy and maintenance-intensive seat-back systems.

This shift has ignited a heated debate within the industry, with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines embodying the forefront of markedly different strategies.

• American Airlines, the world's largest airline by fleet size, has taken a decisive step by announcing that it will remove seat-back entertainment screens from its new fleet of Boeing aircraft as part of its interior refresh project known as Oasis. The airline emphasizes its commitment to providing high-quality streaming content and fast internet access, catering to "over 90% of its passengers" who bring mobile phones, tablets, and laptops on board.

• Conversely, Delta Air Lines has chosen to maintain and even expand its seat-back entertainment options. Delta believes in offering passengers flexibility and choice by providing both seat-back entertainment systems and the ability to stream content to personal devices. This strategy highlights Delta's belief in the continued value of seat-back entertainment as a crucial part of the in-flight experience. United Airlines is agreeing with Delta on this strategy, as United is currently installing new seatback monitors on most of its 737 and A320 family aircraft.

This divergence in strategies underscores passengers' varied preferences. While some appreciate the simplicity and personalization offered by BYOD and streaming services, others value the convenience and reliability of seat-back screens, especially on longer flights where stable Wi-Fi signals and device battery life are critical concerns. The latter is one of the reasons why Google Flights has started listing whether selected flights offer in-seat power outlets and USB ports.

The debate over the optimal approach to IFE is one to watch in the coming years. Airlines face the complex task of balancing cost, weight, and passenger satisfaction.?

The future of IFE may ultimately lean towards a hybrid model that caters to both personal devices and traditional seat-back systems. This approach ensures that all passengers, regardless of their individual preferences, have access to engaging and varied entertainment options during their flight.?

• An exemplary model of this hybrid approach, boosted by a distinctive content offering, is JetBlue.?

• In the spring of 2023, the carrier partnered with streaming service Peacock, enabling passengers to stream Peacock’s entire library on both their seatback screens and personal devices.

Embracing a Hybrid Approach to In-Flight Entertainment

The aviation industry's trajectory seems to be trending toward this hybrid IFE approach as the most suitable path for the foreseeable future. This approach synergizes advanced seatback IFE systems with reliable, high-speed onboard internet, shaping the next generation of in-flight experiences. This combination becomes a significant commercial opportunity for airlines. Market forecasts predict the IFE sector, including Wi-Fi, will escalate to over $12 billion USD by 2030.

Let's explore the key reasons why this hybrid approach might be the most sensible option for airlines going forward.

1) Navigating the Wi-Fi Challenge

The pursuit of providing in-flight Wi-Fi that matches the ground-level connectivity people know from their living rooms for seamless BYOD consumption presents a complex challenge rooted in technological limitations and the diverse landscape of available solutions. Despite major advancements in recent years, the promise of entirely seamless, high-speed internet in the skies remains partly unfulfilled, advocating for retaining traditional IFE systems alongside digital advancements.

• Satellite internet, while offering extensive coverage, grapples with slightly higher latency and the monumental task of launching enough satellites to maintain consistent coverage over vast areas of land and sea.?

• Alternatives like Air-to-Ground (A2G) connectivity, though effective over land, falter over remote or oceanic regions due to their reliance on terrestrial infrastructure, plus the challenge of offering enough bandwidth for every passenger streaming content simultaneously.

This inherent variability underscores the challenge of providing ubiquitous, high-speed internet aboard flights. Major providers such as Intelsat and Viasat, which hold significant contracts with the top 25 global airlines, alongside emerging players like Starlink with its low-earth orbit satellites, are at the forefront of enhancing global connectivity. Increasingly, these providers are leveraging detailed OAG data, including airline schedules, load factors, and aircraft configurations. These comprehensive data sets not only give insight into the busiest routes but also indicate the demand for Wi-Fi on each aircraft based on how full a flight is in each booking class. Such nuanced understanding allows for more effective satellite positioning and bandwidth allocation, aiming for smoother and more reliable in-flight connectivity tailored to specific airline routes. Despite this evolving market for airline Wi-Fi via satellites, achieving ground-like internet speeds in the sky remains a formidable challenge, hindered by technological limitations and the daunting task of expanding satellite networks to keep pace with escalating demands.

The current state of in-flight Wi-Fi—sufficient for browsing but often still stretched thin for high-bandwidth activities like movie streaming—coupled with the debate over who bears the cost illustrates the premature nature of fully discarding seatback screens. The economic model of charging passengers for Wi-Fi versus offering it as a complimentary service adds another layer of complexity to passenger satisfaction and the overall in-flight experience. An Intelsat survey revealed a shift toward complimentary Wi-Fi, with two-thirds of industry stakeholders expecting airlines to find sponsorship models or content partnerships to cover costs.?

This finding is supported by other passenger research, which shows that A) free Wi-Fi is expected across age groups and for both long—and short-haul flights and B) more than three-quarters of passengers say Wi-Fi is important to them during their flights, up from 55% back in 2018.

2) Beyond Entertainment: The Strategic Value of In-Seat Screens

It is important to remember that the utility of in-seat IFE systems transcends mere amusement. Personal in-seat screens offer airlines a spectrum of opportunities to enhance ancillary revenue, display targeted advertising, and elevate the passenger experience with an additional layer of service flexibility.?

Singapore Airlines’ introduction of its live online in-flight shopping experience via the KrisWorld IFE system showcases the ancillary potential of seatback screens. By offering passengers the convenience of shopping from a curated selection of over 4,000 products and enjoying duty-free prices with options for delivery on their next flight or directly to their homes, Singapore Airlines leverages its IFE system as a powerful retail platform, opening new revenue streams for the airline.

However, the debate isn't one-sided. The rise of Bring Your Own Device strategies offers an alternative avenue for delivering similar ancillary services.?

• A shining illustration of BYOD's potential is easyJet’s collaboration with technology provider AirFi. Through trials of the AirFi box, a portable streaming solution, passengers on easyJet’s Swiss fleet can connect to an onboard Wi-Fi network created by the AirFi boxes. This connection unlocks access to the airline’s onboard shop menu, along with a suite of complimentary digital services, including flight and safety information, destination content, the in-flight magazine, and a selection of games–all accessible through passengers’ own laptops, tablets, or Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones.

• British Airways has also stepped into the digital ordering realm with a platform that allows economy passengers on European flights to order additional snacks and drinks directly to their seats via their personal devices. By connecting to the onboard Wi-Fi service at no extra charge and navigating to a dedicated site, passengers can browse a virtual menu and place orders using major credit cards or Avios points. The move towards digital ordering via passengers' smartphones is becoming a broader trend in the airline industry these days, with carriers including JetBlue offering similar services.

• AirJapan’s adoption of the Blueview digital passenger services platform is equally interesting as an industry-leading BYOD-focused digital onboard experience. Powered by Bluebox, this platform enriches passengers' travel experience by allowing them to use their own devices to browse and order from AirJapan’s diverse menu and retail catalog directly. Hosted on the portable Bluebox Wow wireless system, Blueview also delivers engaging IFE content tailored to the destinations AirJapan serves, demonstrating the seamless integration of entertainment and retail in the BYOD format.

Despite all these examples, in-seat screens possess unique advantages, notably their ability to "push" content and offers directly to passengers, ensuring visibility and engagement in a way personal devices cannot guarantee.?

3) IFE Screens as Helpful Travel Assistants

Building on the concept of IFE screens as powerful platforms for ancillary revenue through retail opportunities, an even broader vista for their application emerges. Beyond facilitating upselling, these screens hold the promise of evolving into comprehensive travel assistants, fundamentally enriching the passenger's journey.

Finnair is one of the pioneers of this visionary use of IFE technology. In 2023, it unveiled a profound transformation of its IFE system across its long-haul fleet. This initiative marks a shift towards leveraging IFE systems not just for entertainment or retail purposes but as integral components of the travel experience.

Finnair's new IFE system is meant to support the passenger's entire journey through critical support features, such as real-time flight status information for connecting flights and insights into airport services—all from the comfort of their seat. On top of that, the system's interface is designed to adjust to different flight phases dynamically, aligning the in-cabin atmosphere with passengers' needs for dining, relaxation, or productivity. Such innovation gives a glimpse into the potential of IFE screens to act as future travel assistants, not only introducing opportunities for upsell and retail elements but also enhancing the journey with tailored travel information and support services. By integrating functionalities that turn IFE screens into indispensable travel companions, airlines could significantly improve passenger satisfaction and distinguish themselves in a competitive market.

Envisioning the Future of IFE: Beyond the Screen and Phone

As we chart the evolution of in-flight entertainment, it's clear that the skies are on the brink of a transformative shift. While the hybrid model of IFE systems and BYOD strategies currently presents a practical path forward, the advent of spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro presents an entirely new horizon for the passenger experience.?

This speculative yet plausible future, where virtual reality and metaverse headsets redefine the essence of in-flight entertainment, offers a glimpse into a world where the conventional seatback screen and smartphone might become artifacts of the past.

Apple's Vision Pro, with its promise of an immersive, personal 4k movie theater experience, not only underscores the potential for unparalleled privacy and entertainment freedom but also signals a shift towards a more personalized, boundary-pushing onboard journey. While tech enthusiasts who have already experienced flights through the lens of VR headsets point to an unprecedented level of immersion and comfort, redefining what it means to be "in-flight," it's important to note that the use of such devices on board may be subject to airline policies and regulatory approval. These considerations are crucial to ensure safety in emergency situations, and regulators are currently evaluating the implications of the widespread use of VR headsets in flight.

As we peer into this speculative future, the trajectory of IFE systems remains a captivating field to observe. The journey there will be marked by innovation, user adaptation, and evolving expectations. One thing is certain: the exploration of how we entertain, engage, and enhance the passenger journey mid-flight is far from reaching its limits, promising a future ripe with possibilities and new dimensions of travel.

This was originally published on OAG's Future of Travel blog, join OAG's weekly digest subscription to receive an email packed full of our latest travel tech insights, aviation analysis and data charts here.