Watching live TV at 35,000 feet is a perk many airlines offer today, but decades ago, it was never a thought. As much of the world stays connected and entertained in this digital age, airlines have adapted to give travelers the best possible onboard experience. Whether a traveler is on a journey alone or with family and friends, streaming shows and movies inflight is one of the most important aspects of inflight entertainment.
The industry has come a long way – even most inflight magazines have been phased out, as passengers can observe the same content through their personal electronic devices. Live TV, however, would not be a reality if it were not for inflight connectivity. Just as streaming has become such a hit, the ability to surf the web is also a major aspect of the inflight experience, if not more.
While most airlines have physical screens installed onto seatbacks , bulkheads, or stored into armrests, others have worked on strengthening their WiFi service to allow passengers to stream content from their own devices – also known as bring your own device onboard (BYODO). Some carriers have found advantages of this practice, such as decreasing cabin weight, but there is always a catch. Who started it? Watching live TV on a flight first comes down to which airline the passenger is flying with.
Continental Airlines was one of the first airlines in the US to establish a partnership with DIRECTV, which gives passengers access to more than 100 TV channels. The airline eq.