United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Netflix pitches enhanced streaming tech to airlines
A new name plans to enter the commercial aviation in-flight Wi-Fi business – and it’s called Netflix.
The on-demand video streaming giant claims it can improve Wi-Fi performance at 30,000 feet and reduce airlines’ bandwidth costs by as much as 75%.
Its solution is Netflix Inflight 2.0.
Over the past two years Netflix has partnered with severl airlines on in-flight content streaming including Virgin America, Aeromexico and Qantas.
It has since gained valuable playback data and plans to offer airlines access to its bandwidth-efficient technology for mobile devices.
This will slash bandwidth costs for airlines which in turn it hopes will mean more low-cost or free in-flight Wi-Fi packages for flyers.
"We’ll be able to monitor our video playback metrics to ensure [passengers] have the greatest experience on your flight," said Spencer Wang, vice-president, Finance and Investor Relations at Netflix, Inc.
"By removing the fear about bandwidth costs, airlines will start actively promoting video streaming in flight."
Netflix sees it as an ‘incremental customer-acquisition avenue’ especially as it could well corner the in-flight market for streaming services.
The details were presented to the industry at the APEX Expo on Monday.
Wang said when airlines have offered a Wi-Fi bundling package including Netflix to free Wi-Fi, there is a 30% ‘uplift’ in passenger loyalty.
"Instead of worrying about bandwidth, you can now support and promote certain in-flight services as a core part of your offering rather than sticking it on some kind of premium tier," he said.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled