NEW DELHI: In-flight entertainment and IndiGo are not commonly used together, except for once in 2019, when IndiGo partnered with SonyLIV and branded its in-flight entertainment. Now, IndiGo is going to try it out a second time.
IndiGo to launch streaming-based in-flight entertainment.
IndiGo has announced that it will update its app to enable customers to access entertainment content, effective May 1, 2024. However, the entertainment option will only be available to customers travelling between Delhi and Goa, initially for a period of three months.
The airline claims that customers will be able to watch popular blockbuster movies and TV shows, access moving maps and games, and tune into a wide range of music genres on board. The airline plans to stock up over 200 hours of content across formats and genres, which includes Indian and Hollywood movies, shows and songs. There will also be a treasure hunt game, built on top of the moving map feature. This will be akin to Vistara’s VistaraWorld and SpiceJet’s SpiceScreen.
IndiGo will enable the service only at 10,000 feet, not gate-to-gate. If and when IndiGo sees success with the trial phase, IndiGo will roll it out across the rest of its fleet.
On the occasion of announcing this service, Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital & Information Officer, IndiGo, said,
At IndiGo, we understand that travel is not just about reaching the destination, but also enjoying the journey. Keeping in mind the evolving expectations of the digital savvy Indian travellers, we have added this new feature as an extension of our mobile app to offer, as a trial, a diverse range of entertainment options to our customers. We remain committed to delivering an exceptional mobile app to our customers through thoughtful initiatives, while continuing to provide affordable, hassle-free, and on-time travel experiences across our extensive network.
It is still unclear if Bluebox Inflight will partner with IndiGo or MojoBoxx. Going by the lowest cost formula, MojoBoxx most likely will, given that they use cellphones for the streaming service, which are lighter than the inflight Wi-Fi box that Bluebox installs and perhaps cheaper.
Bottomline
IndiGo will take a second crack and launch in-flight entertainment using the streaming on-board technology. The airline will trial the streaming IFE solution on the Delhi – Goa route from May 1, 2024, onwards for three months before taking a call on the full-time execution of this idea. The airline will have 200 hours worth of programming installed.