In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity Market Growth Analysis | 2024-2034

Market Insights

“The in-flight entertainment & connectivity market was estimated at USD 4.9 billion in 2023 and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% during 2024-2034 to reach USD 8.2 billion in 2034.”

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Market Dynamics

Introduction

In-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) encompass various services designed to enhance the passenger experience during flights. These services include display screens, internet browsing, text messaging, premium content such as movies and TV shows, gaming, e-commerce platforms, live streaming, and wireless media access. Airlines and suppliers are increasingly viewing IFEC as a critical tool for managing and elevating the overall in-flight journey, making it a key differentiator in the competitive aviation market.

This technology is particularly significant for long-haul flights, where passenger engagement and satisfaction are crucial. Most airlines now integrate high-definition screens into wide-body aircraft, business jets, and even some narrow-body planes. The development of advanced, lightweight IFEC systems has been a game-changer, enabling cost-effective installations while reducing fuel consumption due to lower weight.

Market Drivers

The global IFEC market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 4.0%, reaching approximately USD 8.2 billion by 2034. Key drivers include rising air travel demand, particularly in Asia-Pacific, and advancements in wireless connectivity, which allow airlines to reduce hardware costs while offering seamless entertainment and connectivity options. Innovations such as BYOD (Bring Your Device) solutions and lightweight systems are also boosting adoption.

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions: 

A huge number of strategic alliances including M&As, JVs, etc. have been performed over the past few years:

• In November 2023, Emirates partnered with Thales to outfit its Boeing 777X aircraft with the Thales AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system. Deliveries of these aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2025.
• In March 2024, Panasonic Avionics Corporation agreed with Croatia Airlines to equip the airline's new Airbus A220 fleet with Wi-Fi capabilities for the first time. The plan involves installing Panasonic Avionics’ Ku-band satellite connectivity on 15 new A220 aircraft by 2027.

Recent Product Development:

• British Airways has also stepped into the digital ordering realm with a platform that allows economy passengers on European flights to order snacks and drinks to their seats via their devices. 
• AirJapan’s adoption of the Blueview digital passenger services platform is as interesting as an industry-leading BYOD-focused digital onboard experience. Powered by Bluebox, this platform enriches passengers' travel experience by allowing them to use their own devices to browse and order from AirJapan’s diverse menu and retail catalog directly.

Segments Analysis

By Aircraft Type

“Wide-body aircraft are expected to experience the fastest growth in the coming years, fueled by the increasing adoption and integration of in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems.”

• The IFEC market is segmented into narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, regional aircraft, and business jets.
• Wide-body aircraft are anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the market over the forecast period, driven primarily by the rising number of non-stop long-haul flights globally. This growth is further supported by the increasing adoption of in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems, which are becoming a cost-effective alternative to new OEM components. As airlines prioritize enhancing passenger experience on longer routes, the demand for wide-body aircraft equipped with advanced IFEC systems is expected to grow significantly in the coming year.

By Product Type

“Connectivity is expected to lead the in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) market in the forecast year and is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate throughout the forecast period.”

• The market is segmented into hardware, connectivity, and content.
• The aviation industry's recovery has accelerated the adoption of connectivity solutions as airlines compete to attract passengers with enhanced in-flight experiences.
• The increasing number of long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights has created a greater need for connectivity solutions to keep passengers engaged and satisfied during extended travel periods.
• The growing preference for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) setups allows passengers to use their devices for accessing in-flight entertainment and internet services. This has made connectivity a more integral part of the travel experience.

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By End-User Type

“(OE) Original Equipment is expected to remain the dominant segment in the market over the next decade, both in terms of demand and growth rate.”

• The market is bifurcated into OE and aftermarket.
• As airlines continue to prioritize the installation of advanced systems on new aircraft, OE components will play a crucial role in meeting passenger expectations and driving the industry's expansion.

Regional Insights

“North America holds the largest share of the market, while Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region through 2034.”

• The market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW.
• North America is set to retain its position as the largest market for in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) throughout the forecast period. More than 80% of aircraft departing from this region are expected to be equipped with in-flight connectivity (IFC), and it is home to the six largest connected fleets globally. This substantial market share positions North America as an attractive hub for IFEC technologies. The strong presence of key IFEC vendors, such as Panasonic, Viasat, Astronics, and Gogo, highlights the region's critical role in shaping the industry's future growth and development.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to experience the fastest growth in the IFEC market over the next ten years. This growth will be driven by several key factors, including the rising adoption of IFEC systems in emerging economies like India, where air travel demand is surging

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Key Players

The IFEC market is moderately consolidated with the presence of several big players around the globe. Panasonic, GoGo, Thales, and Intelsat contribute more than half of the IFEC market. These players are the top IFEC providers to almost all airlines across the globe. The IFEC value chain includes satellite operators, service providers, and airlines. The following are the key players in-flight entertainment and connectivity market.

• Panasonic Avionics Corporation
• Gogo Inc.
• Intelsat S.A.
• Thales Group
• Viasat, Inc

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players of the market.

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Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s IFEC market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2024 to 2034. 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 most comprehensively way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends. 
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Market Segmentation

This report studies the market, covering a period of 12 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The in-flight entertainment & connectivity market is segmented into the following categories:

By Aircraft Type

• Narrow-Body Aircraft
• Wide-Body Aircraft
• Regional Aircraft
• Business Jet

By Product Type

• Hardware
• Connectivity
• Content

By End-User Type

• OE
• Aftermarket

By Sales Channel Type

• BFE
• SFE

By Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

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Report Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances.

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across sectors. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to sales@stratviewresearch.com.