In-Flight Entertainment Market Growth Analysis

Market Highlights

The In-Flight Entertainment Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% over the next five years to reach US$ 3.2 Billion in 2028.

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Over the years, in-flight entertainment (IFE) has emerged as an integral part of an aircraft, especially for long-haul flights, to provide engagement services and an enjoyable passenger experience while also benefiting airlines in terms of ancillary revenue generation. With booming in-flight connectivity across all major airline fleets around the world, the in-flight entertainment market is also continually evolving. With the growing trends of connected aircraft and in-flight entertainment in the world's advanced economies, the IFE market for short-haul is expected to gain traction. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as the development of integrated seats with IFE, and electronically steered antennas, as well as the growing acceptance of connected aircraft and the expansion of Satcom providers in emerging economies such as China, are expected to drive the demand for the in-flight entertainment market in the aircraft industry in the coming years.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has largely impacted the IFE market across regions with a massive decline in global air passenger travel, temporary halts in the production of aircraft by major OEMs, and temporary grounding of several aircraft fleets, particularly wide-body aircraft. The graver impact of the pandemic was registered across the supply chain including the equipment manufacturers, service providers, and airlines. In-flight entertainment, a sizeable market, witnessed a colossal decline (-40%+ in 2020) amid the pandemic, quite aligned with the decline in the aircraft industry.

However, the market is projected to return to its pre-pandemic level by 2025. The emergence of narrow-body aircraft, such as the A321XLR, and COMAC C919, as well as the increasing penetration of in-flight entertainment in narrow-body aircraft, owing to its increased usage in long-haul travel, are likely to promote a relatively early recovery of the market than the overall aerospace industry. For instance, United Airlines unveiled its plan to order about 200 long-haul narrow-body aircraft and also has plans to undergo a massive retrofit program for its older aircraft.

Segments Analysis

By Aircraft Type

The aircraft in-flight entertainment market is segmented into narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, regional aircraft, and business jet. Narrow-body aircraft is expected to maintain its largest share in the market during the forecast period, owing to the increasing penetration of seatback IFE in narrow-body aircraft and an expected healthy recovery of the segment. Increasing demand for narrow-body aircraft installed with IFE systems for long-haul flights, as well as the expected introduction of COMAC 919, and A321XLR programs, are also likely to fuel good growth opportunities in the narrow-body aircraft segment over the next five years.

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By Product Type

The market is bifurcated into seatback IFE, overhead IFE, fixed IFE, and portable IFE. Seatback IFE is expected to maintain its dominance, whereas portable IFE is likely to be the fastest-growing product type in the market during the forecast period. The majority of seatback IFE systems are connected through wires, providing a convenient way for the seatback screens to remain connected with minimal visible wiring and installations. However, portable IFE is a new trend in the IFE market that provides wireless connectivity throughout the aircraft cabin by eliminating the need for complex wiring and lowering installation costs.

By Connection Type

The market is classified as wired and wireless. Wireless IFE connection (W-IFE) is expected to become the faster-growing segment of the market during the forecast period. Despite a drop of 19+% in the total installation of W-IFE in 2020, compared to 2019, the installation of IFE systems has still managed to grow. Wireless connectivity is expected to take over the wired IFE market with almost 3/4^th of the narrow-body fleet by 2030, globally.

By W-IFE Connectivity Type

The market is segmented into internet-enabled and non-internet-enabled. Internet-enabled W-IFE is expected to maintain its market dominance in the years to come. The connectivity type is also anticipated to experience faster growth during the forecast period, owing to passengers' increasing need/demand for in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity for their engagement during flight. Airlines' perception of unconnected offerings has shifted to a more cost-effective approach, with a focus on passenger engagement and a better in-flight experience to reclaim passengers following the COVID crisis.

By Fitment Type

The market is segmented into retrofit and line fit. Retrofit is expected to command the market, whereas line-fit is likely to grow at a faster rate during the forecast period. IFE is strongly influenced by the airline's offering, geographical area, cost, and passenger demand. As a result, airlines always can modify and retrofit their fleet with IFE as needed. Thus, retrofitting has amassed a sizable market share of the IFE market. However, this is expected to change gradually by the end of this decade, as line-fit is expected to account for nearly half of the total global annual installations by 2030.

By Hardware Type

The market is segmented into IFE systems (pre-fed boxes, etc.), display units, servers, and wireless access points (WAPs). The display unit is expected to remain dominant, whereas IFE systems are likely to be the fastest-growing hardware type in the market during the forecast period. Display units are required to enjoy visual content provided by airlines such as movies, and video games, and premium content, such as Netflix and live matches. Airlines commonly offer seatback display screens to provide individual luxury to passengers to access content according to their tastes and preference.

Regional Analysis

In terms of regions, North America is expected to maintain its supremacy in the market for in-flight entertainment during the forecast period. North America is a highly connected region (with 50+% penetration) in 2022 and is expected to remain dominant by the end of the decade. The region has the presence of the IFE giant, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, which is the sole company to supply IFE systems to all of the top airlines around the globe with a total of 15,000+ commercial aircraft to date. Asia-Pacific is likely to witness the fastest growth in the coming five years, driven by an expected rise in air passenger traffic and RPK; increasing acceptance of IFE in China and other developing countries, and the introduction of new aircraft programs such as C919.

Key Players

The IFE market is highly consolidated with the presence of a few big players around the globe. Panasonic and Thales alone contribute 70+% share in the IFE market.  These players are the top IFE providers to almost all airlines across the globe. The following are the key players in the in-flight entertainment market.

• Panasonic Corporation
• Thales Group
• Safran S.A.
• Collins Aerospace
• Astronics Corporation

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s in-flight entertainment market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

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