From Silent Film Dinosaurs to VR Headsets: The Evolution of In-Flight Entertainment

Reclining once more into their woven armchairs, a dozen travelers aboard an Imperial Airways journey to Paris In 1925, they realized they were in for a special experience – a private showing of the most recent Hollywood hit movie. The Lost World.

The flight departing from Croydon Aerodrome in the southern part London The flight to Le Bourget Airport in Paris lasted just one hour, mirroring the duration of the film screened—a silent, black-and-white rendition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tale about a enigmatic world inhabited by dinosaurs, featuring stop-motion creatures made of rubber. While these early screenings may appear distant from the diversity and complexity of modern-day in-flight entertainment, the showing exactly 100 years ago marked the beginning of commercial international inflight movie experiences.

Touted as "The Lost World Above the World," the showing scheduled for April 6, 1925, highlights how both Hollywood and the aviation sector had grasped the importance of promotion. At just one-year-old, Imperial Airways adorned the outside of their De Havilland aircraft with advertisements for this event. Meanwhile, journalists were present to document the cumbersome projector being transported onboard and set up towards the back of the passenger area.

A luminous review in the French publication Mon Ciné Dubbed as "a peculiar cinematic venture… which might even evoke envy among the Americans." The airplane maintained a relatively high altitude during the entire flight, and passengers expressed their satisfaction. However, organizing this event proved to be highly intricate. Accompanying music for the silent film was performed live by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and broadcasted through the aircraft’s radio system using just one speaker. In order to dim the inside of the cabin, the pilot needed to navigate through cloud formations.

While strictly speaking not the first film to be shown on a plane – in 1921 an advertisement for Chicago was shown on a flight circling the city – the 1925 event is recognised as the start of in-flight entertainment.

Regrettably, a prompt repetition proved unfeasible; thus, for the subsequent thirty years, in-flight entertainment stayed a mere curiosity. During this period, long-haul journeys were predominantly the province of ocean liners equipped with their own movie theaters. Although television, introduced in the 1920s and 1930s, presented potential opportunities, it did not immediately transform air travel experiences. Second World War stepped in when the main focus during flight was largely just to return home safely.

Film takes flight

In the early 1950s, it was time to rejuvenate this concept with an added touch of elegance. British company Bristol Aeroplane Company took up the challenge and created the colossal Brabazon airliner—a behemoth even compared to contemporary models like the Airbus A300—whose maiden flight occurred in 1951. Tailored specifically for long-haul Atlantic flights, the aft section included a movie theater designed for its hundred travelers. Despite these innovations, the Brabazon struggled against emerging jets which were swifter and offered greater capacity relative to their weight. Consequently, due to insufficient demand, the endeavor was terminated in 1953.

In 1961, finally, genuine in-flight entertainment made its debut, all because of an American named David Flexer. He invented a compact, lightweight projector designed to display a 16mm movie onto a screen from a ceiling-mounted compartment inside the plane.

The inaugural client for Flexer’s In-flight Motion Pictures was Trans World Airlines (TWA), New Yorker A magazine piece from June 1962 stated: "By the start of autumn, numerous airlines plan to screen films for all types of travelers. Those seated in first-class can enjoy these at no extra cost; however, tourists might have to pay around a dollar or more for the required headphones."

Airplanes carrying movies come with personal earphones for each seat; passengers who do not wish to listen to or watch a film simply avoid plugging in their headphones and look elsewhere instead. Mr. Flexer closely monitors the type of movies screened during flights, ensuring they remain suitable for families.

Everybody needed to view the identical movie, and the audio was delivered via plastic tubes instead of standard headsets; however, quickly airlines across the globe began providing such screenings. The following significant development occurred in the latter part of the 1980s, marked by the introduction of the well-known seat-back displays. During this period, specifically in 1985, the Emirates airline was established and went on to become the pioneering carrier to furnish inflight entertainment for each passenger’s seat back starting from 1991.

Emirates Staying ahead in aviation tech, they unveiled the newest iteration of their Ice system across their fresh Airbus A350 aircraft lineup starting this January. This advanced "next-generation inflight entertainment platform" comes equipped with high-definition displays, live television broadcasts, integrated Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities enabling travelers to connect various devices such as smartphones and gaming controllers seamlessly.

Future viewing

Most major airlines currently provide seat-back screens, particularly for longer international flights, as well as multiple channel options and USB ports for charging personal electronic devices. However, the landscape of in-flight entertainment could soon transform significantly. This shift can be attributed to the near-universal possession of smartphones, which essentially turn each passenger’s device into their personal screen. In response to this trend, some leading U.S. carriers like United Airlines and Alaska Air have started eliminating these built-in screens from aircraft used on shorter domestic routes.

Travelers have the option to enjoy various contents by connecting their smartphones or tablets to the plane’s onboard Wi-Fi network. This change appears logical for several reasons. According to the aviation sector, equipping every seat back with an entertainment system can cost as much as $10,000 per unit, not to mention they weigh around 4 kilograms each when you include all necessary cabling. By removing these systems, airlines reduce both expenses and the overall weight of the aircraft, leading to improved fuel efficiency.

Simultaneously, studies indicate that travelers continue to favor these features. According to a customer satisfaction survey conducted by J D Power in 2019, "certain onboard amenities with the most significant positive impact on passenger contentment include freshly prepared meals, seat-back games, and live TV through seat backs."

As long-haul international airlines aim to enhance their seat-back entertainment offerings without compromising quality, it appears that screen technology will persist for some time. A significant development in this area is satellite-provided Wi-Fi, allowing planes to deliver reliable and high-speed web access during transoceanic flights—crucial for activities such as online gaming or streaming services like Netflix. Spotify .

Personalised service

Singapore Airlines currently allows travelers to browse and purchase items from an online store featuring thousands of goods, all available for delivery at duty-free pricing when they board their upcoming flights. In contrast, Etihad has collaborated with Panasonic Aviation to launch the Jet Lag Adviser app, which utilizes individual passenger information to help them devise personalized strategies aimed at minimizing the effects of traveling across multiple time zones.

The excitement extends further into the realm of virtual reality as several airlines such as Lufthanza and Qantas have begun testing VR headsets. This technology enables passengers to break free from the limitations of tight airplane seating by diving into another universe, or they can utilize augmented reality features like real-time destination details or food selection customization during their journey.

Throughout the last century, one consistent aspect of in-flight entertainment has been that everything comes at a cost. In earlier times, airlines covered these expenses to ensure passenger satisfaction. Today, opportunities like onboard shopping and internet access have emerged as additional income streams. According to a study conducted in 2023 by global consultancy firm Kearney involving over 3,000 individuals across eight nations, young travelers, in particular, express willingness to engage beyond merely accessing recent hit movies.

According to the survey, "Over 40 percent of individuals opt to read their emails, engage in chats, or scroll through social media," particularly during brief flights. Additionally, "Forty-three percent of respondents aged between 18 and 35 and thirty percent of those above 35 would change airlines due to an unsatisfactory content experience."

The study revealed that members of this particular group were willing to spend extra money for improved Wi-Fi services. Additionally, approximately nine out of ten participants agreed they wouldn’t mind seeing targeted ads within their content. According to Kearney, "This presents airlines with an exciting opportunity to shift their approach towards in-flight entertainment and connectivity, turning them into revenue generators rather than expenses." Thus, the landscape of in-flight entertainment seems less like a forgotten realm and more akin to a bold new frontier.