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3. Today, in-flight entertainment (IFE) is one of the largest growing
sectors of the aircraft interiors market. The value of the IFE market
will reach $2 billion by 2015, and the expenditure on content to
supply that IFE is in the range between $450 and 500 million, ac-
cording to Aircraft Interiors International Magazine. The premiere
of new IFE technologies garnered a great deal of attention at the
Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg this April from airlines and in-
dustry watchers alike, rivaled only by the excitement generated by
new in-flight connectivity options; which is, in fact, is a related tech
development.
Larger, HD-ready smart IFE screens, powered by new “invisible”
wiring systems, and eliminating under-seat control boxes, were
also a prime feature of the new A350XWB aircraft which Airbus
debuted on the day before the Aircraft Interiors Expo opened.
The new announcements of ever more lavish cabin programs by top
airlines are generally accompanied by the introduction of enhanced
IFE offerings.
In this report, we’ll look at how IFE has evolved in recent years
to such a prominent element of the in-flight experience, why IFE
is such an important factor to the airlines in product differentia-
tion, what new innovations are in store for this technology, where
IFE lags behind modern technology and when it might catch up.
We provide some important highlights and feature key players and
airline case studies here, in order to reflect the predominant trends
in today’s market.
Executive summary
The Rapid Ascent of In-Flight Entertainment SKIFT REPORT #17 2014
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4. Table of contents
About Skift
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Executive Summary 3
Introduction 4
The Onboard Theatre 8
8
9
10
Home Entertainment 11
11
12
12
13
Bring Your Own Device 15
15
16
Low-Cost Carriers Fall Short 18
21
21
21
22
23
23
Looking Forward 24
24
25
26
27
Insights and Strategies 28
About Skift 30
The Rapid Ascent of In-Flight Entertainment SKIFT REPORT #17 2014
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