In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market - By Product (Hardware, Connectivity, Content), By Aircraft Type (Narrow-body Aircraft (NBA), Wide-body Aircraft (WBA), Very Large Aircraft (VLA)), By End User (OEM, Aftermarket) & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Size

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market was valued at over USD 6 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 8.5% between 2024 & 2032. Flight passengers increasingly expect continuous internet connectivity similar to what they experience on the ground. This demand prompts airlines to invest in high-speed in-flight connectivity solutions, enabling passengers to browse the internet, stream content, and stay connected through social media and emails during their flights. The wide use of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs), such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, among travelers has fueled the demand for in-flight connectivity. Passengers increasingly prefer to use their own devices for entertainment and work during flights, which requires robust high-speed internet access to support a wide range of devices simultaneously.
 

As global travel increases and airlines expand their long-haul route offerings, the need for enhanced in-flight entertainment & connectivity solutions becomes more pronounced. On long-haul flights, passengers spend extended periods in the cabin, increasing the demand for entertainment and connectivity options to enhance their flight experience. Airlines are investing in in-flight entertainment & connectivity systems to provide a wide range of options including movies, TV shows, music, games, and internet access to keep passengers engaged and improve customer satisfaction.
 

The initial cost of acquiring and installing IFEC systems including satellite antennas, onboard servers, and Wi-Fi networks can be substantial. For many airlines, especially smaller carriers or those with tight budgets, this upfront investment poses a financial challenge, making it difficult to justify the cost against the expected returns. IFEC systems require regular maintenance to ensure reliable performance and address any technical issues that arise. Additionally, rapid technological advancements necessitate periodic upgrades to hardware & software to keep the systems up-to-date and competitive. These maintenance and upgrade costs contribute to the overall operational expenses.
 

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Trends

The Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) trend is gaining momentum, with airlines increasingly supporting passengers who prefer to use personal devices for in-flight entertainment. This shift is fueling the development of IFEC systems that can stream content directly to passengers' smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Advancements in display technology, such as OLED and 4K screens, are being adopted for seat-back entertainment systems to provide higher-quality visuals. This trend caters to the increasing passenger expectations for a premium viewing experience.
 

IFEC systems are becoming more integrated with other passenger service systems onboard, such as seat control, lighting, and cabin management. This integration allows passengers to have a more cohesive and controlled in-flight experience through a single interface. Also, environmental sustainability is becoming a more significant consideration in the development of IFEC systems. Airlines and suppliers are focusing on lightweight & energy-efficient designs that minimize the environmental impact and support airlines' sustainability goals.
 

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Analysis

Based on the product, the market is divided into hardware, connectivity, and content. The hardware segment dominated the global market with a share of over 40% in 2023. Airlines are continuously upgrading & retrofitting older aircraft to meet the current passenger expectations for in-flight entertainment & connectivity. This involves installing new hardware components, such as satellite antennas, onboard servers, Wi-Fi access points, and seat-back screens, driving segment growth. As the global airline industry expands to meet the increasing passenger traffic, airlines are adding new aircraft to their fleets. These new aircraft require the latest IFEC hardware to provide passengers with high-quality entertainment and connectivity options from the outset.
 

Based on the aircraft type, the market is divided into narrow-body aircraft (NBA), wide-body aircraft (WBA), and very large aircraft (VLA). The NBA segment is expected to register a CAGR of over 8.5% during the forecast period and reached a revenue of over USD 5 billion by 2032. The rapid expansion of low-cost carriers (LCC), which primarily operate NBA, contributes significantly to this growth. LCCs are increasingly adopting IFEC solutions as a value-added service to enhance passenger experience and generate ancillary revenue, fostering growth in the NBA segment. Advancements in lightweight and compact IFEC technologies have made it more feasible and cost-effective to install these systems on NBA, which have less space and weight capacity compared to WBA. These advancements allow airlines to offer competitive IFEC options without compromising fuel efficiency or payload.
 

North America dominated the global In-flight entertainment & connectivity market in 2023, accounting for a share of over 35%. North American passengers, particularly business travelers, have a high expectation for continuous connectivity to stay productive and entertained throughout their flights. This demand encourages airlines to invest in IFEC systems that offer reliable, high-speed internet access. Regulatory bodies in North America, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), support the use of personal electronic devices and in-flight connectivity, facilitating the growth of the market by allowing airlines to expand their connectivity offerings.
 

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Share

Thales SA and Panasonic Avionics Corporation hold a significant share of over 20%. Thales Group’s lead can be attributed to its innovative, comprehensive solutions that enhance passenger experience. The company offers advanced entertainment systems, reliable connectivity options, and personalized services, making it a preferred choice for airlines globally.
 

Panasonic Avionics Corporation provides cutting-edge solutions that offer passengers a wide range of entertainment options, high-speed internet access, and seamless connectivity, thereby enhancing the overall travel experience and satisfaction. This helps the company get a competitive advantage in the market.
 

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Companies

Major players operating in the in-flight entertainment & connectivity industry are:

• Panasonic Avionics Corporation
• Thales SA
• Astronics Corporation
• Gogo LLC
• RTX Corporation
• ViaSat Inc.
• Honeywell International Inc.
   

In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Industry News

• In June 2023, Panasonic Avionics Corporation signed an agreement with United Airlines to install its Astrova in-flight engagement (IFE) solution on select new Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, long haul international aircrafts. Astrova offer 4K OLED technology. The image quality is sharper, clearer, with an infinite contrast ratio, which delivers cinema-grade colors and the perfect black. Additionally, it gives passengers a completely immersive experience through high-fidelity 3D spatial audio provided by Panasonic Avionics' most recent Bluetooth technology.
   
• In June 2023, Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) launched RAVE Ultra plus, In-Flight Entertainment System. Mini LED technology is used in the upcoming RAVE 4K Ultra High-Definition display generation. Powered by RAVE OS, an Open Software Platform that allows 3rd parties to develop applications that can be seamlessly run on RAVE, giving power back to airlines to control their own IFE features.  SPI is integrating the newest Cloud technologies into the RAVE ecosystem in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This will serve as the foundation for the upcoming RAVE OS generation and be enabled on both the ground and in the aircraft.
   

The in-flight entertainment & connectivity market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Hardware     
  • Non-portable
  • Portable
• Connectivity 
  • Wired
  • Wireless
• Content        
  • Stored
  • Streamed

Market, By Aircraft Type

• Narrow-body Aircraft (NBA)
• Wide-body Aircraft (WBA)
• Very Large Aircraft (VLA)

Market, By End-user

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA