welcome
ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT & CONNECTIVITY
ISSUE THREE 2017
entertainment & connectivity
brought to you by
EDITOR
Julie Baxter WRITERS
Richard Williams Benjamin Coren PUBLISHER
Sue Williams CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Matt Bonner DESIGNERS
Louisa Horton Monica Notarnicola PRODUCTION MANAGER
Clare Hunter
T
his year's AIX in Hamburg is going to be big. With 18 new companies joining 100 exhibitors in the IFEC Zone, this is now the world's largest event dedicated to onboard technology, content and services. It is a fastmoving sector with lots to talk about, from the rapidly-evolving global infrastructure and high-spec hardware innovations to customer focused applications and smart new ways to enhance the passenger experience. In this, our latest review of the onboard entertainment and connectivity world, written primarily by Richard Williams, we aim to keep you up to date with commentary and insights from those in the know. We've taken a closer look at just what passengers are watching, with insights from a range of content providers, and we've cast an eye over the plethora of IFE apps now making their way News onboard via passengers' own devices. We've Latest deals and looked beyond the headlines to understand developments more about developments at Delta Air Lines, Intelsat and Gogo and have spent time getting to know a rising star in the onboard wifi market, FTS. Whether you're delivering Trends content, working to inspire engagement or Innovations and insights launching satellites into space we hope you find time to take a read!
04 06 08
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Steve Hartridge COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
David Clare
ONBOARD HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE'S ENTERTAINMENT AND CONNECTIVITY SUPPLEMENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BMI PUBLISHING BMI PUBLISHING LTD: SUFFOLK HOUSE, GEORGE STREET, CROYDON, SURREY, CR9 1SR, UK. T: 020 8649 7233 E: ENQUIRIES@BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK WHILE EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE ACCURACY, BMI PUBLISHING LTD CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. ©BMI PUBLISHING LTD 2017 IMAGES: BIGSTOCK.COM
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE WINNERS ANNOUNCED APRIL 3 onboardhospitality.com
Julie Baxter, EDITOR
Richard Williams, WRITER
ONBOARDHOSPITALITY.COM
Just who is watching what onboard?
15
Focus on
16
App update
GETTING CONNECTED According to IATA’s 2016 survey, under 24s' concern about a lack of connectivity while travelling is fuelling a surge in the inflight connectivity market. The good news is that the tipping-point has now been reached: airlines are investing in high-quality IFE and highspeed connectivity with around 39% of available seat miles (ASM) worldwide now offering wifi. Some airlines are offering it free, and while cynics will ask how long that can last once the promotional benefits wear off, service providers continue to acquire capacity on new satellites to make mobile connectivity and entertainment ever more accessible to all. What next? We’ll be at AIX in Hamburg to find out. See you there!
Content is king
Rising star, FTS
Airlines up their IFE app options
18
Case study
20
In conversation
22
Focus On
Delta Air Lines' IFE offer under the spotlight
Mark Richman, Intelsat
Gogo goes for growth 3