Airlines present in-flight entertainment: airlines screen movies during flights

August 6th, 2025

In the skies above, the journey has become more than just a means of travel. The evolution of in-flight entertainment (IFE) has transformed air travel into an experience, offering passengers a wide range of entertainment options to keep them engaged.

The roots of IFE can be traced back to the early 20th century, where simple film projections were the norm. Legend has it that pilots were ordered to fly into the clouds to darken the cabin for film screenings, a practice reminiscent of the magic lantern-like technology used in early film projections of the late 19th century.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and airlines began to embrace technology more wholeheartedly. JAT (Yugoslav Airlines) made waves in Europe by equipping their Boeing 737-300 aircraft with a video system and an eight-channel audio setup. This innovation provided short films, safety demos, promotional content, and duty-free shopping presentations onboard, marking a significant advancement on short-haul routes.

As the years passed, in-flight entertainment evolved, with airlines offering more varied content and better hardware. Today, modern airlines like Southwest provide wireless streaming of live TV, movies, music, in-app messaging, and real-time flight tracking through passengers' own devices. Internet access is often available on flights, with continuous upgrades in Wi-Fi technology such as Anuvu and Viasat.

Modern seat-back screens are integrated with comprehensive Content Service Providers (CSPs), delivering curated libraries of movies, TV shows, games, and information services. These systems are far more interactive and personalized than the early film projectors, utilizing digital delivery and on-demand content rather than scheduled programming.

The evolution of IFE can be summarized as follows:

Early 20th century: Basic film projection onboard, often using magic lantern-like technology.
1980s: Introduction of onboard video systems and multi-channel audio, exemplified by JAT's Boeing 737-300 fleet in Europe.
1990s-2000s: More airlines adopt seat-back screens and diverse content portfolios; improvement of hardware and digital systems begins.
2010s-Present: Shift towards wireless streaming (via passengers' personal devices) and embedded seat-back screens linked to CSPs providing on-demand content, live TV, real-time flight info, and connectivity including Wi-Fi.

The growth in IFE reflects the increasing demand for personalized and high-quality entertainment in-flight, enabled by advances in digital technology and internet connectivity. With passengers now using touchscreens on flights to find distractions, the competition among airlines to attract passengers is intense, focusing on in-flight entertainment.

The air transport industry has also seen significant growth, surpassing its pre-Covid level with 4.89 billion passengers in 2024, according to the International Transport Association. In this thriving landscape, Content Service Providers (CSPs) offer films, games, series, technological solutions, and advertisements to air travel devices, making air transport beneficial for both passengers and CSPs alike.

References:

[1] Cox, D. (2018). Aviation History: The Evolution of In-flight Entertainment. Retrieved from https://www.airlinemania.net/aviation-history-evolution-inflight-entertainment/

[2] IFE Journal. (2022). The Future of In-Flight Entertainment. Retrieved from https://www.ifejournal.com/the-future-of-inflight-entertainment/

[3] International Transport Association. (2025). Air Transport Surpasses Pre-Covid Level. Retrieved from https://www.ita.org/press-releases/2025/air-transport-surpasses-pre-covid-level

[4] Slocombe, J. (2018). The History of In-Flight Entertainment. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/news/history-of-inflight-entertainment

The advancements in technology have significantly transformed not only the air transport industry but also travelers' lifestyles, with modern airlines offering personalized and high-quality entertainment options on flights.
In the contemporary jet-setting world, Content Service Providers play a crucial role, providing a vast array of films, games, series, technological solutions, and advertisements for passengers' devices – enhancing both the travel experience and their business prospects.