In-flight Content Market by Type (Movie, TV Shows, Music, Games, Magazine, News), Access (Seatback Display Unit, Portable Device), Operation (Stored, Streamed) , Platform (Commercial Aviation, Business Aviation) and Region - Global Forecast to 2029
The Inflight Content Market is projected to grow from USD 691 million in 2024 to USD 931 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2029. The inflight content market has rapidly evolved, becoming a crucial aspect of the airline industry. This market includes a wide range of entertainment options, such as movies, TV shows, music, and games, for passengers during their flights. This chapter discusses the market dynamicssuch as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges pertaining to the inflight content market, and how these factors are expected to influence the growth of the key market players, including Panasonic Avionics Corporation (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Astronics Corporation (US), and Thales (France). As airlines seek to enhance passenger satisfaction and explore new revenue streams, the Inflight Content Industry remains a dynamic segment of the aviation industry.
In-flight Content Market Forecast to 2029
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Inflight content market Dynamics:
Driver: Increasing consumer preference for high-quality in-flight content services
Increasing consumer preference for high-quality in-flight content services is reshaping the airline industry. Travelers today expect a rich and engaging in-flight entertainment (IFE) experience, featuring a diverse range of movies, TV shows, music, and games. This demand stems from a broader trend where passengers seek a more enjoyable and immersive travel experience.
The importance of IFE is underscored by statistics from Honeywell, which indicate that 73% of buyers consider customer experience a crucial factor in their purchasing decisions. This highlights the competitive edge that high-quality IFE can provide airlines in attracting and retaining customers. Moreover, about 89% of passengers regard a fast Wi-Fi connection as critical to their ability to stream content in flight. Recognizing this, airlines such as JetBlue (US) and Southwest Airlines (US) have implemented high-speed Wi-Fi services on most of their flights, allowing passengers to stream content seamlessly, work online, and stay connected during their journey.
Additionally, many airlines are now providing advanced IFE systems and faster internet connectivity to enhance the passenger experience. This offerings not only meets current consumer demands but also positions airlines to remain competitive in a market where customer expectations continue to rise. By prioritizing high-quality in-flight content and connectivity, airlines can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately driving their business success.
Restraint: Data security concerns
As airlines increasingly rely on digital platforms to deliver entertainment and connectivity services, safeguarding sensitive data has become a critical priority. The use of these platforms involves the collection and storage of various types of passenger data, such as viewing habits, preferences, and payment information for premium content.
The potential risks associated with data breaches are substantial. If an airline's in-flight entertainment system is compromised, the consequences could include unauthorized access to passengers' personal and financial information. This could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime. The fear of such breaches can make passengers wary of using in-flight connectivity services, potentially diminishing their overall travel experience and satisfaction.
Opportunity: Trend of cloud-based content streaming
Cloud-based content streaming represents a significant opportunity in the in-flight content market by leveraging cloud technology to deliver seamless, high-quality entertainment and information to passengers. This method involves storing content on remote servers and streaming it directly to passengers’ devices via the aircraft’s Wi-Fi system. Compared to traditional systems that rely on pre-loaded media, cloud streaming allows airlines to provide a broader selection of movies, TV shows, music, and real-time updates, which can be refreshed more frequently. This ensures passengers can always access the latest entertainment options, enhancing their in-flight experience
Challenge: Costly installation of in-flight entertainment devices
Outfitting an aircraft with IFE systems requires a substantial initial investment which includes the purchase of high-quality screens, control units, and other necessary hardware, along with the associated installation labor costs. Given the complexity of integrating these systems into aircraft cabins without compromising space or passenger comfort, the expenses can quickly escalate.
Moreover, these installations are not a one-time expense. IFE devices require regular maintenance and periodic upgrades to stay current with technological advancements and passenger expectations. Airlines must continually invest in new software updates, improved hardware, and better user interfaces to remain competitive. This ongoing financial commitment can strain budgets, especially for smaller carriers or those operating on thin margins.
Additionally, the weight of these IFE systems can lead to increased fuel consumption, further driving up operational costs. Some airlines might consider using passengers' personal devices to deliver entertainment content via onboard Wi-Fi as an alternative. However, this approach still necessitates a robust connectivity infrastructure and has its own set of challenges and costs
Ecosystem Map For The Inflight Content Market
Based on type, the movie segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Based on type, the in-flight content market has been segmented into movie, TV show, live TV, music, game, magazine, news, and other types. The movie segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. This is because airlines curate a diverse selection of films, including recent blockbusters, classic favorites, documentaries, and international cinema, to cater to the varied tastes of their passengers.
Based on access, the portable device segment will have the highest CAGR< during the forecast period.
Based on access, the in-flight content market has been segmented into seatback display unit and portable device. Portable segment will dominate the market with highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because passengers are using their personal devices to access various entertainment options during flights. Airlines provide onboard Wi-Fi connectivity and dedicated in-flight entertainment platforms, enabling passengers to stream movies, TV shows, and music directly on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
Based on operation, the stored segment is estimated to lead the market in 2024
Based on operation, the in-flight content market has been classified into stored and streamed. The stored segment will lead the market as it ensures passengers to have reliable entertainment options throughout their flight, regardless of Wi-Fi availability or quality. This approach enhances the in-flight experience by providing consistent and high-quality entertainment.
Based on platform, the commercial aviation segment will dominate the inflight content market
Based on platform, the in-flight content market has been segmented into commercial aviation and business aviation. The commercial aviation platforms have entertainment systems, connectivity solutions, and real-time information services onboard, which significantly contribute to the overall travel experience. High-quality in-flight content can turn routine commercial flights into enjoyable and productive journeys, which is critical to passenger loyalty and airline differentiation. This results in increased demand for inflight content services leading the segment with highest market share and CAGR.
The North America region is estimated to have the highest market share in 2024.
North America is poised to have the highest market share in the inflight content market due to its robust technological infrastructure, significant investment in aviation innovation, and a high concentration of frequent flyers. The region's airlines are at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge inflight entertainment systems, driven by a competitive market that prioritizes enhancing passenger experience. Additionally, North America's strong entertainment and media industries provide a rich source of premium content, catering to diverse passenger preferences. The combination of advanced technology, consumer demand for superior travel experiences, and an abundant supply of high-quality content positions North America as a leader in the inflight content market.
In-flight Content Market by Region
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Key Market Players
The major players in the Inflight Content Companies are Panasonic Avionics Corporation (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Astronics Corporation (US), and Thales (France). These players have adopted various growth strategies expand their presence in the inflight content market.
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Report Metric |
Details |
| Estimated Value | USD 691 million in 2024 |
| Projected Value | USD 931 million by 2029 |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 6.1% |
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Market size available for years |
2020-2029 |
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Base year considered |
2023 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2029 |
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Forecast units |
Value (USD) |
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Segments Covered |
By Type, Access, Operation, Platform and Region |
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Geographies covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Rest of the World |
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Companies covered |
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (US), Thales (France), Anuvu (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Astronics Corporation (US), Viasat, Inc. (US), Gogo Business Aviation LLC ( US), Display Interactive (France), Ideanova Technologies, Inc. (US) among others. |
In-flight Content Market Highlights
This research report categorizes the In- flight Content markets based on Type, Access, Operation, Platform and Region.
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Segment |
Subsegment |
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By Type |
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By Access |
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By Operation |
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By Platform |
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By Region |
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Recent Developments
- In February 2024, As part of a contract with Thales, Air India will equip 51 aircraft with Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system. These will include 40 existing aircraft (777 and 787) retrofit and 11 new aircraft (787 and A350) line fit.
- In December 2023, Panasonic Avionics Corporation signed an agreement with Icelandair for the installation of its Astrova in-flight entertainment solution and a suite of digital solutions on the airline’s new fleet of Airbus A321neo LR aircraft.
- In November 2023, Panasonic Avionics Corporation signed an agreement for the installation of the Astrova seat-end solution on EGYPTAIR’s new Airbus A350-900 fleet.
- In November 2023, Ethiopian Airlines Group awarded a contract to Thales to supply AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system for its upcoming aircraft, Airbus A350-1000.
- In November 2023, Anuvu entered an exclusive content partnership with learning and development company BecomingX, co-founded by survival expert and television personality Bear Grylls.
- In October 2023, Porter Airlines and Viasat announced a partnership where Viasat’s wireless in-flight entertainment systems will be factory-installed on an additional 20 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on order. The in-flight Wi-Fi also enables access to a wide range of free streaming entertainment, including movies and popular TV series.
- In October 2023, Anuvu announced a pioneering partnership that will introduce the largest Arabic podcast platform, Podeo, to in-flight listeners for the first time.
- In June 2023, Panasonic Avionics Corporation and SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, signed an agreement for the installation of the Astrova seat-end solution on up to 30 aircraft.
- In July 2022, LOT Polish Airlines and Thales signed a nine-year in-flight entertainment turnkey maintenance agreement extension for the airline’s B787 Fleet. The renewal of this agreement also includes support from a dedicated Thales team based at Warsaw, Frederic Chopin Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the current size of the inflight content market?
The inflight content market is projected to grow from USD 691.5 million in 2024 to USD 931.8 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2029.
Who are the winners in the inflight content market?
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Astronics Corporation (US), and Thales (France).
What are some of the technological advancements in the market?
- Cloud-Based Streaming: Passengers now expect the same level of connectivity and content access in the air as they do on the ground. Cloud-based streaming meets this demand by providing a more personalized and extensive entertainment library that can be accessed on passengers’ devices, enhancing the overall travel experience. This trend of cloud-based streaming in the in-flight content market is revolutionizing how airlines deliver entertainment to passengers.
- 5G on Board: The introduction of 5G technology on board aircraft represents a significant leap forward in in-flight connectivity. Passengers benefit from faster and more reliable internet access, enabling them to use their phones for calls, streaming music and videos, and accessing other data-heavy applications without switching to flight mode. With 5G, airlines offer a more personalized and flexible entertainment experience, reduce the need for built-in entertainment systems, and enhance overall passenger satisfaction through improved connectivity and access to a broader range of digital services.
What are the factors driving the growth of the market?
- Increasing consumer preference for high-quality in-flight content services
- Significant recovery in global air traffic
- Rising BYOD trend with high-speed internet
- Personalized in-flight content
Which region is expected to hold highest market share in the inflight content market?
Inflight content market in the North America region is estimated to hold the largest market share of 48.8% of the total market in 2024.
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This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources, directories, and databases, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and CAPA- Center for Aviation to identify and collect relevant information on the in-flight content market. The primary sources included industry experts from the concerned market, preferred suppliers, manufacturers, solution providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all segments of the industry’s value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information as well as to assess the prospects of the market.
Secondary Research
The market share of the companies offering in-flight content for airlines was procured based on the secondary data available through paid and unpaid sources and by analyzing the product portfolios of major companies and rating them based on their performance and quality. In the secondary research process, sources such as corporate filings; annual reports, press releases, and investor presentations of companies; white papers, journals, and certified publications; articles by recognized authors; and directories & databases were used to identify and collect information for this study.
Secondary research was mainly used to obtain key information about the industry's value and supply chain. The method was also used to identify the essential players by various products, market classifications, and segmentations according to their offerings. Secondary information helped to understand the industry trends related to the type, access, operation, platform and critical developments from the market and technology-oriented perspectives.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information about the current scenario of the inflight content market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both demand and supply sides across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Rest of the World. This primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. Primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as chief experience officers (CXOs), vice presidents (VPs), directors from business development, marketing, and product development/innovation teams, related key executives from airline cloud providers, independent aviation consultants, aircraft manufactures, integrators and inflight content providers. Interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products & services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped understand trends related to type, access operation, platform and region.
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Market Size Estimation
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the in-flight content market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size also included the following details:
- The key players were identified through secondary research, and their market ranking was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders, including chief executive officers (CEOs), directors, and marketing executives.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
Bottom-Up Approach
The bottom-up approach was employed to arrive at the overall size of the in-flight content market. The growth in the penetration of in-flight content has been tracked through primary avenue such as penetration of Inflight content in the current fleet of aircraft.
Top-Down Approach
In the top-down approach, the size of the in-flight content market was used to estimate the size of individual markets (mentioned in the market segmentation) through percentage splits from secondary and primary research. For the calculation of the sizes of specific segments, the size of the most appropriate immediate parent market was used to implement the top-down approach.
Data triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the in-flight content market from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the estimated sizes of different market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Additionally, the market size was validated using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
In-flight content refers to a wide range of multimedia entertainment options available for passengers during air travel, including movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, podcasts, and interactive games, all accessible through the aircraft's in-flight entertainment system. This content selection by airlines aims to enhance the passenger experience during long flights and provide relaxation. In-flight content allows passengers to engage in entertainment and interactive digital games of various genres, from puzzles to immersive adventures, catering to diverse demographics and preferences of different age groups. Airlines invest in sourcing and curating high-quality content to differentiate their services, grow customer loyalty, and elevate the overall in-flight experience for travelers.
Stakeholders
Various stakeholders of the market are listed below:
- Airlines
- In-flight Content Providers
- Internet Service Providers
- Satellite Operators
- Aircraft Manufacturers
- Regulatory Bodies
- Technology Providers
- Content Providers
- Investors
- Passengers
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, segment, and forecast the size of the in-flight content market based on type, access, operation, platform, and region
- To forecast the size of market segments with respect to five major regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World, along with the major countries in each region
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the market growth
- To strategically analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities for stakeholders in the market by identifying key trends
- To profile key players and comprehensively analyze their market shares and core competencies2
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the in-flight content market, along with a ranking analysis, market share analysis, and revenue analysis of key players
- To identify detailed financial positions, key products, and unique selling points of leading companies in the market
- To analyze the degree of competition in the market by identifying key growth strategies, such as, product/service launches, contracts, and partnerships, adopted by key players
1. Micromarkets are further segments and subsegments of the In-flight Content market.
2. Core competencies of companies were captured in terms of their key developments and strategies adopted to sustain their position in the market.
Available Customizations:
Along with the market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company.
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of the market segments at the country level
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in In-flight Content Market