Depending on the airline, travelers can choose from hundreds of hours of entertainment, such as Wi-Fi, movies and television series, games, and music.
Some of it is incorporated into an airline’s fleet, while others allow you to bring your own device and access in-flight entertainment.
Here are eight airlines that were known for providing great in-flight entertainment options as of 2021.
1. Emirates
Emirates does not want you to be bored on its long-haul flights, so it provides over 2,500 channels of on-demand movies, TV series, music, and games in several languages.
Ice’s digital widescreen even includes audio description and closed captions for individuals who are deaf or blind. There’s an eSports channel and the opportunity to brush up on your language abilities with uTalk videos containing Arabic, French, German, Italian, or Spanish lessons. It also provides limited free Wi-Fi on long-haul flights.
2. Qatar Airways
The in-flight entertainment system on Qatar Airways provides passengers with over 3,000 watching and listening options. Under movies, the airline offers the standard Hollywood fare as well as Arabic, Bollywood, Asian, Indian, and European films.
Documentaries, European, Asian, Hindi, Urdu, TED Talks, and sports are among the television shows available. Thousands of hours of music and discussion in every genre, as well as games ranging from checkers to casino games, are available as audio options.
It also provides Wi-Fi on its Airbus A380, A350, and A319 aircraft, as well as its Boeing 787s and select A320, A321, and A330-200 aircraft.
3. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines, long regarded as a leader in in-flight entertainment has more than 1,000 movies, television shows, music, and games available to keep travellers happy and entertained on long-haul flights. It provides a diverse selection of movies, television series, and music from around the world.
Traditional and innovative games are available for all ages. Singapore Airlines’ A380s, A350s, and Boeing 777-300ERs all provide in-flight Wi-Fi.
4. Virgin Atlantic
This London-based carrier was the first to introduce individual seat-back screens with entertainment options in all cabin classes in 1991.
The Vera in-flight entertainment system provides a mix of Hollywood and international films, binge-watchable television shows and series, a special channel for children, hundreds of hours of music in various genres, and games ranging from Battleship to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Wi-Fi is available on the airline’s A330, A340, 747, and 787 aircraft.
5. Etihad Airways
The E-Box system, which is situated in Abu Dhabi, provides global movies, blockbuster and classic films, as well as a large collection of television programming, including the option to make video playlists, all with different language tracks and subtitles.
Live news and sporting events are also available on select flights. Passengers can construct personal playlists from more than 500 CDs in the music collection under audio. In addition, the system provides access to over 60 Android-based games. On select flights, the airline also provides Wi-Fi connectivity.
6. Turkish Airlines
On select routes, the airline’s digital Planet entertainment system — Information, Entertainment, and Communications — is in place on its A330, A340, B777, and A321 fleet.
Entertainment features classic, feature, foreign, and children’s films, as well as a channel dedicated to short films and music ranging from Pop and Rock to Traditional Turkish Folk.
There is also a game channel for single or multiple players on the flight. Passengers can send and receive SMS/email under Communications, as well as receive weather reports every four hours and news updates every hour.
The Information section includes information about the airline’s fleet, cargo, frequent flyer program, destination guide, airport and flight maps, and flight cameras that allow passengers to observe takeoffs and landings.
7. Qantas Airways
On long-haul flights, Australia’s national carrier provides substantial in-flight entertainment, including new release movies, TV shows, and an enormous CD library.
Travelers aboard the A380, A330, and selected Boeing 747s have over 1500 entertainment options, including more than 100 movies, 500 TV shows, 800 music options, 18 radio channels, and daily Sky News coverage. A specialized kids channel with programming and games is also available.
There are 500 entertainment options on certain 747 and A330 flights, including up to 60 movies, more than 250 TV programs, 250 music alternatives, 18 radio programs, and a vast selection of games. On the Qantas app, powered by PressReader, the world’s largest newspaper and magazine platform, you can read approximately 4,000 publications and newspapers from across the world.
PressReader provides a free 12-hour download period for travellers to download issues directly onto a smartphone or tablet via iTunes or Google Play. The airline is adding free and fast in-flight Wi-Fi on its domestic flights, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
8. Delta Air Lines
The Atlanta-based airline claims to be the first in the United States to provide free in-flight entertainment. Travelers can enjoy more than 1,000 hours of entertainment on their tablet or smartphone, or on the seatback screen for movies, television, and music, thanks to Delta Studio.
To access Delta Studio programs, passengers must first download the Gogo Entertainment App (through iTunes or Google Play). Delta also employs Gogo to provide in-flight Wi-Fi access on all of its wide-body, long-haul jets.
Conclusion
These airlines were often praised for their wide range of movies, TV shows, music, games, and other entertainment options available to passengers during their flights. Keep in mind that advancements in technology and changes in airline services may have occurred since last update. Always check with the airline directly to confirm their current in-flight entertainment offerings before your travel.