Soar Above Boredom, A Century of Innovation in In-Flight Entertainmen

Imagine flying through the clouds in 1914, on one of the primitive commercial flights. The roar of the engines filled the air, while below, the world was reduced to a patchwork quilt of fields and rivers. But inside the narrow cabin, boredom prevailed. Commercial flights appeared much earlier than commercial radio (1920) and television (1936), and only then did in-flight entertainment become possible.

This is the story of how entertainment conquered the sky, turning those metal pipes rushing through the clouds into cocoons where boredom became just a relic of the past. Fasten your seatbelts, as we're about to embark on a journey through the fascinating history of in-flight entertainment, a story full of innovation, competition and the relentless pursuit of making those long journeys seem lower than the sky.

The original goal of bringing in-flight entertainment to the cabins was to attract more customers, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including local theatre and media environments. And it was not initially for the convenience and ease of travel as it is today.

Early beginnings:

The advent of radio in the twenties of the last century launched the possibility of in-flight entertainment. Some airlines have experimented with venturing into sending radio signals to airplanes, providing rudimentary news and broadcasting music.

Some other interesting experiments were also carried out, with the film being shown to passengers on a screen suspended in the cabin during the flight.

The Dawn of Modern Entertainment:

The invention of television provided another potential source of in-flight entertainment. However, bulky equipment and the inability to broadcast to aircraft at high altitudes prevented its widespread adoption.

Technological advances continued in both aircraft and entertainment technologies. Larger aircraft with dedicated electronics on board have begun experimenting with recording players and even early movie systems, which primarily cater to the needs of first-class passengers.

Onboard films became mainstream in airlines only in the sixties of the last century. Trans World became the first airline to regularly introduce feature-length films during flights, using a unique film system developed by David Flicker, then president of Inflight Motion Pictures.

The Golden Age of In-flight Entertainment:

The jet era revolutionized air travel, making flights faster and more comfortable. This paved the way for the introduction of dedicated in-flight entertainment systems (IFE). Starting in 1964, in-flight entertainment evolved to include different types of media such as short films, CCTV and pre-recorded music.

Airline competition fueled IFE innovations. Cassette players, headphones for individual listening and, eventually, dedicated movie projectors with curated film libraries have become standard features, especially on long-haul flights. Seat deck screens were introduced in 1988 on airline seat backs, and have since switched to larger screens on almost every airline.

The modern age of in-flight entertainment featuring on-demand movies, TV shows, and music libraries has become the norm. Airlines are starting to offer video games, interactive maps, and even internet access. The twenty-first century has seen constant evolution with larger screens, high-definition content, live streaming services, and even virtual reality experiences in some flights.

However, the advent of personal devices allows passengers to use their laptops and tablets for entertainment, which somehow eased the needs of airlines that offer onboard equipment especially for budget airlines.

It started with the idea phase, followed by the competition phase, where most airlines adopted some form of it. Airlines currently face challenges in the final and current stage of development, dealing with failures associated with business concept flaws or low revenues.

During the evolution of in-flight entertainment, it has become more than just a form of entertainment or comfort. In-flight entertainment has also become a microcosm of the global community, with curated film libraries reflecting diverse sounds, and music playlists spanning continents. It is not only a competitive tool for airline advertising, but also a form of cultural production.

The comfort factor wasn't just about distraction; studies show that engaging entertainment can reduce anxiety and stress, which is vital for long journeys. In-flight entertainment has become an economic platform for investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and entertainment providers, and Hollywood's major studios have created "aircraft business sections" specializing in the production of short films, editing trailers specifically for airline consumption, providing a new revenue stream and audience.

It also plays a key role in promoting the national culture of destination countries. National carriers often feature curated content that highlights the unique aspects, traditions, and achievements of their country. Some airlines are collaborating with local artists and filmmakers to create exclusive content for their entertainment and entertainment systems, providing passengers with a window into the destination's cultural landscape. This can be a valuable way to support local talent and promote cultural exchange.

However, the evolution of in-flight entertainment has not been without challenges. As a form of cultural production, it often reflects the interests of advertisers, governments and business entities. It also entails selling certain ideas, products and cultures to passengers via in-flight entertainment. The lucrative practice of grabbing the attention of passengers and selling them to advertisers wasn't limited to screens either. Magazines on board were always full of advertisements, and by the late eighties, these ads had spread to napkins and audio channels.

Despite its advantages and disadvantages, in-flight entertainment still provided passengers with a sense of comfort, and the comfort factor was not just about distraction; studies show that engaging entertainment can reduce anxiety and stress, which is vital for long flights.

The future of in-flight entertainment is a fascinating topic full of interesting possibilities and challenges. Immersive experiences such as virtual reality and augmented reality will soon be introduced to IEF along with personalized content. High-speed internet access on board will also allow for continuous broadcasting, video calls and online games, blurring the lines between the onboard and on-the-ground experience.