In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market

Global In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market:

The global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market size reached USD 5.6 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 11.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.55% during 2025-2033. The surging global air travel, ongoing technological advancements, rising number of long-haul flights, and focus on passenger well-being are primarily driving the market’s growth.

In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: Significant growth in the aviation industry, along with the increasing adoption of wireless entertainment solutions, is one of the key factors creating a positive outlook for the market. Furthermore, the increasing preference for luxury air travel with premium in-flight facilities is augmenting the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market growth.
• Key Market Trends: Various technological advancements, such as the integration of virtual reality (VR) with consumer electronics, for an improved onboard entertainment experience, are propelling the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market demand. Moreover, the advent of bring-your-own devices (BYOD) and rising investments in cabin interior and aviation products by airline companies, are anticipated to drive the market further.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the prominent in-flight entertainment and connectivity market companies include BAE Systems Plc, Cobham Limited (Advent International), Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG), Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Corporation), Rockwell Collins Inc. (United Technologies Corporation), Thales Group, The Boeing Company, and Viasat Inc., among many others.
• Geographical Trends: According to the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market dynamics, North America is one of the prominent regions in the IFEC market due to rapid technological advancements and early adoption of next-generation connectivity solutions, including satellite-based broadband and high-speed Wi-Fi on aircraft. Moreover, Europe is witnessing significant investments in satellite-based internet connectivity, with major service providers like Inmarsat and Eutelsat leading the way. This is boosting the growth of in-flight connectivity services in the region.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The high installation and maintenance costs and limited bandwidth and connectivity issues are hampering the market’s growth. However, as global air traffic continues to grow, there is a significant opportunity for airlines to enhance the passenger experience by offering advanced in-flight entertainment and connectivity services.

In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Trends:

Rising Air Traffic

The aviation industry across various regions has seen a consistent rise in the number of passengers, driven by factors like economic growth, increasing middle-class populations, and greater accessibility to air travel. For instance, according to an article published by the India Brand Equity Foundation, local airlines in India transported more than 112 million passengers from January to September 2023, a nearly 29% increase over the previous year's figure of approximately 87 million. As more people take to the skies, airlines are under pressure to improve passenger satisfaction through better IFEC services. These factors are expected to propel the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market in the coming years.

Increased Investments

IFEC providers are heavily investing in R&D activities to improve software and broadband technology, ensuring faster and more reliable in-flight internet services. For instance, in July 2024, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, one of the key players in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions, launched a new software design and development facility in Pune. This software is central to every IFEC solution. These factors further positively influence the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market forecast.

Technological Advancements

Advancements in satellite technology, such as high-throughput satellites (HTS) and Ka-band technology, enable faster and more reliable in-flight connectivity, allowing for better streaming services, video calls, and internet browsing. For instance, in August 2023, Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) deployed a new and expanded GEO Ku-band satellite capacity that delivers higher-speed, in-flight, internet connections for airlines and their passengers, thereby boosting the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market revenue.

Global In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on aircraft type, component type, class, technology, and end user.

Breakup by Aircraft Type:

• Narrow-Body Aircraft
• Wide-Body Aircraft
• Business Jets
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market based on the aircraft type. This includes narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, business jets, and others. 

According to the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market outlook, narrow-body aircraft, also known as single-aisle aircraft, typically have a fuselage diameter of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) and are equipped with a single aisle running through the cabin. They usually accommodate between 100 to 240 passengers, depending on the aircraft's configuration. Narrow-body aircraft are increasingly being equipped with IFEC systems, particularly wireless solutions that allow passengers to stream content on personal devices. Moreover, wide-body aircraft, or twin-aisle aircraft, have a larger fuselage with two aisles running through the cabin. They are designed for long-haul and high-capacity flights and can typically seat 250 to 850 passengers, depending on configuration. Wide-body aircraft are often equipped with more advanced IFEC systems, including high-definition seatback screens, premium entertainment options, and high-speed internet connectivity.

Breakup by Component Type:

• Content
• Hardware
• Connectivity
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market based on the component type. This includes content, hardware, and connectivity.

According to the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market overview, content refers to the entertainment and informational offerings available to passengers during their flight. This can include movies, TV shows, music, games, podcasts, and digital publications, as well as more interactive content such as live TV, shopping, and destination-specific information. Moreover, hardware in the IFEC market includes all the physical equipment necessary to deliver entertainment and connectivity services on an aircraft. This encompasses seatback screens, control panels, network infrastructure, servers, and antennas. Furthermore, connectivity refers to the systems that enable internet access, real-time communication, and streaming capabilities during flights. This includes satellite-based internet, air-to-ground communications, and future technologies like 5G. Connectivity in the IFEC market relies heavily on satellite technology, especially for long-haul and international flights.

Breakup by Class:

• Economy Class
• Premium Economy Class
• Business Class
• First Class
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market based on the class. This includes economy class, premium economy class, business class, and first class.

Economy class is the most basic and widely used class of service, designed to accommodate a large number of passengers at an affordable price. The seating is typically more compact, with limited legroom and reclining, making it the most space-efficient class on an aircraft. Many airlines provide basic in-flight entertainment via seatback screens in economy class, especially on long-haul flights. These typically offer a selection of movies, TV shows, games, and music. Moreover, premium economy is a step up from economy class, offering enhanced comfort, better services, and more amenities. Premium economy often comes with larger personal screens than economy class, providing a more immersive entertainment experience. Apart from this, business class is a high-end service class designed for travelers seeking luxury, privacy, and enhanced comfort, particularly on long-haul flights. They typically feature significantly larger, high-definition personal screens compared to economy and premium economy, often 15 inches or more, providing a more immersive entertainment experience.

Breakup by Technology:

• Air-to-Ground Technology
• Satellite Technology
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market based on the technology. This includes air-to-ground technology and satellite technology.

ATG technology relies on a network of ground-based cellular towers to provide connectivity to aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with an antenna on its fuselage that communicates with these towers, similar to how a smartphone connects to a cellular network. As the plane flies, it connects to the closest available tower, maintaining internet connectivity during the flight. While satellite technology for in-flight connectivity relies on communication between the aircraft and satellites orbiting the Earth. Aircraft are equipped with antennas that communicate with satellites in geostationary (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), or low Earth orbit (LEO). The satellites then relay signals to ground stations, which connect the aircraft to the internet.

Breakup by End User:

• OEM
• Aftermarket
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market based on the end user. This includes OEM and aftermarket.

OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are responsible for designing, manufacturing, and integrating IFEC systems during the production of new aircraft. Moreover, the introduction of new, technologically advanced aircraft models, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or Airbus A350, that emphasize passenger comfort and connectivity drives OEM demand for cutting-edge IFEC solutions. Besides this, the aftermarket sector involves the retrofitting, upgrading, and maintenance of IFEC systems in existing aircraft. Furthermore, airlines often upgrade older aircraft to offer passengers a comparable experience to that of newer planes without investing in entirely new fleets. This drives the demand in the aftermarket for retrofitting aircraft with modern IFEC systems, including new seatback screens, wireless streaming solutions, and updated connectivity technologies.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa.

According to the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market statistics, North America is one of the prominent markets for IFEC, driven by the high volume of air traffic and the significant presence of major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, which have extensive domestic and international networks. Moreover, Europe also represents a significant market for IFEC, characterized by high demand for short- to medium-haul flights within the continent and long-haul international routes. Besides this, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth in the IFEC market, driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, and increased air travel demand.

Competitive Landscape:

The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major market companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include: 

• BAE Systems Plc
• Cobham Limited (Advent International)
• Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Corporation)
• Rockwell Collins Inc. (United Technologies Corporation)
• Thales Group
• The Boeing Company
• Viasat Inc.
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Recent Developments:

• August 2024: Air India unveiled its latest in-flight entertainment service, ‘Vista’, which is aimed to provide customers with continuous access to a varied choice of content on their own devices.
• May 2024: Anuvu, a provider of worldwide entertainment solutions for mobility markets and high-speed inflight connectivity, completed the successful aerial testing of the Dual Panel Satellite Antenna Assembly (DPSAA) Ka-band antenna.
• May 2024: DirecTV Inflight, a commercial aviation content distributor, introduced an IPTV service for business aviation in conjunction with Satcom Direct (SD), an in-flight entertainment (IFE) and connection provider in the business aviation industry.

In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the aircraft type?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the component type?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the class?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?
• What is the structure of the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the industry? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the in-flight entertainment and connectivity industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.