To supplement our in-depth annual deep dive into the in-flight connectivity (IFC) and in-flight entertainment (IFE) markets, Valour currently produces two tracker databases designed to keep those with a vested interest in the IFEC arena updated on installation activity and emerging trends. Recognising the growing link between these two markets, the production of the Q1 2024 deliverable will see us merge the IFC and IFE trackers into one single deliverable.
Having taken on feedback from clients and being committed to continually improving our service, we are delighted to announce that we are now sourcing news from Seth Miller, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of PaxEx.Aero, who will be contributing towards everything IFEC throughout 2024. The aim of our partnership is to provide more relevant headlines and heightened insight around the news.
Updated every quarter, these trackers present the installed base of equipped aircraft, as well as details of committed order backlogs. Data is split by key segments such as service provider, airline, geographic region and product type. And thanks to our collaboration with ch-aviation, we are also able to offer this information down to the aircraft tail level.
At the beginning of December 2023, we released our Q3 2023 update and have put together a quick snapshot of some key findings. If you would like more information about the trackers, want to see a sample, or would like to arrange a demonstration of the data, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team.
In-Flight Entertainment
- During Q3 2023, there were a few notable announcements relating to wireless IFE (W-IFE). This includes AirJapan choosing Bluebox to deploy onboard retail across its B787s, Vietnam Airlines selecting AirFi to install W-IFE on 37 A321 aircraft and Marabu selecting Inflight Dublin to equip its portable solution – Everhub – on its Airbus fleet.
- North America is still the biggest regional market. However, Asia-Pacific is the second largest region with almost 1,700 equipped aircraft and the region continues to grow with many LCCs rolling out W-IFE solutions across their fleets.
Figure 1. Share of W-IFE equipped Aircraft by Geographic Region
- Globally, there were 9,483 aircraft equipped with W-IFE at the end of Q3 2023, an increase of 152 quarter-on-quarter.
- AirFi’s boxes are expected to be back on-board the easyJet fleet in 2024. This will see the installed base of portable units exceed 2,000 for the first time.
- Approximately 71% of aircraft offering W-IFE also offer in-flight connectivity (IFC). American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines make up much of the total.
- There continues to be a steady increase in aircraft being installed with seatback IFE with a net increase of 32 in Q3 2023.
- Adoption of seatback IFE is growing in the long-range single-aisle segment and 89% of the world’s wide body aircraft are equipped with embedded screens.
- The seatback market continues to be dominated by Panasonic Avionics, Thales and Safran, which, together account for 97% of all aircraft.
- Throughout 2023, we have seen the number of aircraft with overhead systems continue to drop steadily. The market is dependent on airlines based in Asia-Pacific, with seven of the top ten overhead IFE-equipped fleets operated by Chinese carriers.
In-Flight Connectivity
- In Q3 2023, the installed base of aircraft with IFC increased for the eighth consecutive quarter. At the end of Q3 2023, just over 10,500 aircraft had an active IFC solution – an increase of 130 quarter-on-quarter.
- Viasat, Intelsat and Panasonic Avionics had the busiest quarter, activating IFC on approximately 230 aircraft between them. The trio account for 86% of total connected aircraft.
- 111 of the gross installs in Q3 2023 were line fitments. Another 158 were retrofits.
- Ku-band continues to lead the way with just under 5,000 equipped aircraft. However, Ka-band continues to gain ground and registered the largest number of installs during the reporting period of any technology type.
- North America remains the largest IFC market with an estimated 6,075 equipped aircraft in the region.
- Narrow-body aircraft have the largest share of connected aircraft, representing 57% of the total commercial fleet.
