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The UK’s leading flight comparison website takes a look at 25 major airlines’ on-board entertainment programmes. Recent buzz surrounding in-flight WiFi and mobile connectivity hasn’t led to a massive roll out of the technology, according to research conducted by Cheapflights.co.uk.
The UK’s leading flight comparison website has compiled a list of airlines with the best in-flight games, videos and music offerings. Traditional back-seat entertainment systems remain the most common sky-high distractions but airlines are incrementally widening their embrace of in-flight technology.
“WiFi access is the number one facility passengers are vying for,” says Francesca Ecsery, Global Sales Director of Cheapflights. “But in the here-and-now the industry has more pressing concerns, such as the fall in global air traffic, so travellers may be forced to wait a little longer for the perk.”
Once WiFi access becomes the norm, Ecsery believes airlines will view the service as a lucrative source of income. Two US carriers leading the way with mobile connectivity, American Airlines and Delta, both levy a charge.
“Surfing the web from your airline seat could become a costly habit if you’re a regular traveller, so we wanted to explore the more traditional forms of in-flight entertainment,” Ecsery explains.
Cheapflights.co.uk also discovered there is a sharp divide between no-frills airlines which axe all but the most essential services, and full-service carriers, which are more inclined to pamper passengers.
Bmibaby, easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair have stripped backseat TVs from their aircraft, while Monarch offers them in Premium Economy. Thomsonfly provides backseat TVs free of charge on some flights.
Among full-service carriers, Virgin Atlantic lives up to its reputation for providing one of the most comprehensive backseat systems, while the researchers were also impressed with facilities aboard British Airways and Cathay Pacific flights.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
