Wireless In-flight Entertainment (W-IFE) Market

Global Wireless In-Flight Entertainment Market Size (2023 to 2028)

The global wireless In-flight entertainment market size is expected to be worth USD 2145.30 Million in 2023. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.30% during the forecast period and reach a value of USD 4564.43 Million by 2028.

The demand for enhanced passenger experience in-flight is on the rise and giving room to the wireless in-flight entertainment market to grow. The interior cabin design, cozy seat arrangements, entertainment options, and high-speed internet access capabilities all work together to enhance the entire travel experience for passengers. Because of this, the leading WI-FE service providers in the industry are concentrating on creating cutting-edge technical solutions that keep travelers happy and safe on lengthy flights.

Global Wireless In-Flight Entertainment Market Drivers:

An increase in the number of passengers who travel with one or more connected devices acts as a key market driver. The recent increase in the number of passengers who travel with more connected devices is increasing the demand for in-flight infotainment. So, the demand for portable devices provided by airlines that can readily access services such as watching movies, reading books, listening to music, and playing online games is increasing. This will benefit both airlines and passengers as it will boost the airline revenue and return on investment, and passengers can get an enhanced experience. The exponential growth of airline passengers’ traffic and in-flight entertainment technology developments are the drivers for the wireless in-flight entertainment (W-IFE) market.

Emerging markets such as India, China and Nepal have been experiencing significant growth for wireless in-flight entertainment and this trend is contributing to the global market growth. For instance, low-cost or ultra-low-cost airlines cover a significant portion of the aviation industry in India. The three main airlines that offer economy seating solely on their aircraft are Indigo, Spice Jet, and Air India and there is no wireless in-flight entertainment provided to passengers. However, customers can now view information on personal devices such as YouTube and Netflix due to the launch of satellite-based 2KU services by American Airlines and Delta that offer eight times quicker Wi-Fi bandwidth. Therefore, emerging economies in Asia Pacific are providing opportunities for the wireless in-flight entertainment market to expand further. The availability of in-flight Wi-Fi services using information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as an important factor in terms of competition among global airlines as passenger demand evolves. The new distribution capability by standard designed by the International Air Transportation Association is supporting the global market growth. It is an XML-based communication standard enabling airlines to provide rich content and ancillaries to online travel agents, travel management companies, and other flight resellers directly.

A rise in the use of electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones is propelling the rise of a new trend called in-flight networking. Airlines offer Wi-Fi connections for their passengers to use to access in-flight entertainment and other sources via portable devices. According to a survey, over 19% of passengers said superior in-flight entertainment will influence their decision to fly. Thus, airlines will benefit from raising the standard of IFE and other in-flight amenities. In developing economies, there has been an increase in air passenger travel, 88 percent higher than before the pandemic. The need for wireless in-flight entertainment is rising quickly.

Global Wireless In-Flight Entertainment Market Restraints:

Maintaining a strong and reliable connection during the flight and keeping in factors such as speed, bandwidth restrictions, and the number of passengers connected is one of the major stumbling blocks to the growth of the global market. The intra-aircraft network is accessible to a WSN solution since it is exclusive and restricted to a single aircraft. Several design restrictions remain outside WSNs' typical goals for network performance. Furthermore, maintaining the privacy and security of passenger data continues to be of utmost importance. It is necessary to address the security of the carried data against attacks and its resistance to jamming.

Security and power sustainability issues in wireless intra-aircraft networks and the overlap between aircraft-to-ground and intra-aircraft wireless systems are some of the major challenges to the growth of the wireless in-flight entertainment market. The problem of powering the wireless network is also significant. Also, financially, a significant portion of repair and maintenance costs are caused by wiring malfunctions that are challenging to identify and fix and end up being costly due to the length of time the aircraft is grounded. The addition of new features and the modification of the cabin layout, which is required for retrofit work, are further wire-related issues. Finally, major coexistence limitations are added to the design by emerging models for aircraft-to-ground communication services.

Impact of COVID-19 on the wireless in-flight entertainment market:

During COVID-19, the demand for touch screens or public tablets drastically decreased, which affected the share of the wireless in-flight entertainment market. Also, it has severely impacted other in-flight entertainments, including non-screen entertainment like in-flight magazines, which have been shut down or mailed to frequent flyers, affecting their captive audience. Also, the robot will make it easier to deliver a greater variety of products on various types of trays by lowering production costs while enhancing flexibility and customer-centricity. Furthermore, Condor Airlines has introduced SkyTab tablets for their cabin staff. Retail inMotion's personal gadgets are designed to enhance communication and sales during flights and to provide flight-related documentation.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global wireless In-flight entertainment market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on the aircraft type, fitment type, hardware, technology, & region.

Global Wireless In-flight Entertainment Market - By Aircraft Type:

• Narrow-body
• Wide body
• Regional Jet

Based on the aircraft type, the narrow-body segment is estimated to be the largest segment in the global wireless in-flight entertainment market during the forecast period. The demand for domestic air travel has been rising over time in nations including Russia, Australia, Japan, China, India, and the US. IATA reports a 4.1 percent rise in international air passenger traffic. Global demand for narrow-body aircraft is predicted to rise as air travel increases.

Global Wireless In-flight Entertainment Market - By Fitment Type:

• Retrofit
• Line fit

Based on fitment type, the retrofit segment is anticipated to account for the major share of the wireless in-flight entertainment market; however, the line fit segment is projected to develop at a faster rate during the forecast period. The airline's product, service area, price, and traveler demand all have a significant impact on wireless in-flight entertainment. Therefore, airlines have the option to grow and update their fleet with WI-FE as necessary. Thus, retrofitting has gained a substantial market share in the wireless in-flight entertainment sector. However, this is predicted to change progressively by the end of this decade as the line-fit segment is estimated to account for almost half of all regular installations worldwide.

Global Wireless In-flight Entertainment Market - By Hardware:

• Antennas
• WAPs
• Modems
• Others

Based on hardware, the modems segment holds the largest share of the global market during the forecast period due to the advancement of Airborne Networks and Airborne Internet systems of the next generation. For instance, the newly developed Ka/Ku antenna that ViaSat showcased is anticipated to offer constant coverage throughout Europe and North America. The result of the cooperative satellite partnerships and the launch of ViaSat-2 is a revolutionary antenna. Also, hardware makers have been forming cooperative partnerships with multimedia service providers and posing as system integrators; the wireless in-flight entertainment market is anticipated to exhibit substantial development potential over the course of the projected year.

Global Wireless In-flight Entertainment Market - By Technology:

• TG
• Ku-Band
• L-Band
• Ka-Band

Based on technology, the Ka-band segment is predicted to overtake Ku-band in terms of both cost and speed of service and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Due to consumer growing tendency to spend money on air travel, along with their constant demand for connectivity, wireless in-flight entertainment is growing.

Global Wireless In-flight Entertainment Market - By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

The North American wireless in-flight entertainment market is ruling with the highest share with the military and aerospace industries due to large corporate concentrations and strong consumer demand. In terms of technological innovation and research, this region has been progressing. This is one of the key factors affecting the demand for wireless in-flight entertainment during the predicted period.

The European wireless in-flight entertainment market is next in leading the prominent share because the airline sector is increasingly implementing 5G technologies. This will make it easier to upgrade and use the IFEC system, improving in-flight connection. Moreover, major participants in the European market include Thales Group, Safran, and Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG. These factors contribute to the expansion of the European wireless in-flight entertainment market.

The Asia Pacific wireless in-flight entertainment market is estimated to propel at a higher rate during the forecast period. The rise can be attributed to low-cost airlines increasing use of in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems to improve passengers' travel experiences. Furthermore, the growing number of travelers from developing nations like China and India is likely to promote the market growth rate.

The Latin American wireless in-flight entertainment market is likely to grow at a steady growth rate during the forecast period. A significant rise in the number of air travelers in this region is driving the market's growth. In addition, the market is being influenced by airline operators' increasing investments to give passengers a better in-flight experience.

The Middle East and Africa wireless in-flight entertainment market is growing steadily during the forecast period. The market for wireless in-flight entertainment is expanding significantly in the Middle East. A strong demand for wireless in-flight entertainment services is being created by a booming aviation sector that is propelled by both domestic and international travel. High-end passenger experiences are becoming a primary priority for Middle Eastern airlines, which calls for sophisticated IFEC systems. Additionally, the region's advantageous location as a center for international travel highlights the importance of first-rate connectivity.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

The major players in the wireless In-flight entertainment market are BAE Systems plc, Gogo LLC, Inflight Dublin, Ltd., Rockwell Collins Inc., Bluebox Aviation Systems Ltd., Lufthansa Systems GmbH, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Thales Group SA, Zodiac Aerospace SA, and SITAONAIR

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

• In 2022, a new long-haul business seat was introduced by Air France, and it is expected to give a high level of comfort to the passengers with the iconic seat features that are redesigned.
• In 2022, to offer as the Content Service Provider (CSP) for the company, a partnership was formed between Anuvu Operations LLC, which is a provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions, and Asian Airlines Inc.
• In 2021, in association with Cathay Pacific Airways, the world’s first full cabin in-flight entertainment 4k ultra-HD system was launched by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. It supports Bluetooth audio streaming.