In-Flight Media

Skymall, Inc.

Guide to In-Flight Media

By Autumn Rivers
Jump on board and offer superior in-flight media to your passengers

If you are in the airline travel industry, you know how crucial it is for your customers to be happy during their flight, but you might not have thought about in-flight media. You probably know that reasonably-priced tickets, comfortable seating and good food are all important to the average airline traveler. However, many airline company owners underestimate the importance of entertainment during long flights.

Luckily, there are many options available to travelers today. You just need to make sure you are among the airline companies offering at least one of the following in-flight media entertainment:

1. In flight television is one service that all passengers can enjoy.

2. Onboard Internet access is particularly important to business travelers.

3. In flight communications is still new to the industry, but will soon be expected by consumers.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer in-flight television on personal TVs for long flights You most likely already provide movies and television for passengers to enjoy during each flight, but to compete with many up-to-date airlines, you should install personal televisions for each passenger. They can be installed in the back of each seat, or tucked into armrests. If you really want to stay ahead of the game, purchase LCD screens instead of the older CRT technology, and use audio-video on demand (AVOD) systems, which allow passengers to pause, stop, rewind or fast-forward each program.

I recommend:  LiveTV is a major provider of in flight digital media, such as multiple television channels. Rockwell Collins offers access to a variety of shows with satellite TV.

Stay up-to-date with onboard Internet access The most technologically advanced airlines offer some sort of Internet service during flights. Why can't your company? Such a service uses either an air-to-ground network or satellite network. This technology allows passengers to connect either using their laptops or IFE units that you provide, giving them nonstop onboard entertainment.

I recommend:  Panasonic Avionics Corporation carries affordable broadband Internet access. Aircell uses brand-new technology to provide passengers with in-flight Internet connectivity.

Allow passengers to stay connected to their lives with onboard communications via mobile phone Although many consumers relish the time in the air away from their daily lives, a number of passengers would prefer to use their phones during the flight. As technology that allows passengers to use their cell phones is currently being developed and tested, you should start looking into being among the first airline company to install it.

I recommend:  AeroMobile seeks to provide passengers with the ability to use cell phones in flight, as does OnAir.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Promote in flight entertainment services on your company's website. This should encourage potential customers to choose your airline when deciding between you and your competitors.