Monthly Archive for September, 2008

Carriers Focus on Connectivity

A Flightglobal.com article reports how carriers are upgrading their IFE systems in an attempt to distinguish themselves from their competition and to boost ancillary revenues. Carriers are pushing to entertain and connect passengers by offering in-flight broadband and/or in-flight live direct broadcast video. Recent research from MultiMedia Intelligence suggests the market for in-flight broadband services is poised to grow to $936 million in passenger revenue in 2012, up from initial revenue of $6.6 million this year. Similarly, the market for in-flight live direct broadcast video is projected to grow from $87 million in 2007 to $913 million in 2012.

Emirates wins Best Airline IFE for the 4th Year Running

The annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax (carried out between August 2007 and June 2008) has annointed Emirates’ ICE system the best airline IFE for the fourth consecutive year. The Emirates system edged out Singapore Airline’s KrisWorld which came in second again. Other strong performances in the survey were again achieved by Cathay Pacific (3rd) and Virgin Atlantic (4th).