While inflight wifi aircraft is still spotty, both in performance and availability, SITA OnAir predicts that over the next three years it will be more readily available.
In an analysis of SITA's 2017 Air Transport IT Trends, the sister company reveals that more than a third (34%) of airlines will take delivery of aircraft equipped with connectivity services.
In SITA’s 2016 Airline IT Trends Survey, that figure was 21%.
SITA OnAir vice president of strategy, Dominique El Bez, says:
“Our industry’s connected aircraft vision, with its complete, connected inflight experience, is irrefutably here to stay. Airlines are increasingly aware of the value-added benefits presented by inflight connectivity options.”
The quality of connectivity is also expected to be better; 69% of airlines carrying out major connectivity programs (40% of all carriers) or conducting R&D connectivity trials (29% of all carriers) plan to offer full satellite broadband connectivity on their aircraft.
Further findings reveal:
- 91% of airlines are targeting their investment in wireless inflight services for passengers (54% investing in major connectivity programs and 37% in R&D or connectivity trials).
- 43% of airlines list passenger experience improvement the main benefit of offering connectivity onboard.
- 94% of airlines are expected to invest in wireless services for crew and pilots over the next three years; 64% investing in major programs and 30% in R&D or trials.
- 78% of airlines surveyed said that aircraft data management was an investment priority, with 33% of them engaged in major install programs and 45% in R&D programs by 2020.
- 31% of airlines surveyed cite operational benefits—including improved aircraft maintenance, aircraft health monitoring, as well as flight deck and cabin services improvements—as the main benefit of connectivity.
Destination inspiration and better mobile experience
When asked about the new inflight entertainment and connectivity offerings that were most likely to introduce, 72% of airlines said they were most eager to introduce destination services apps enhanced by connectivity. Duty Free shopping apps came in second at 61%.
Additionally 24% of airlines have invested in wireless BYOD in-flight entertainment transmitted to passengers’ own devices, and 46% of airlines plan to offer this form of entertainment by the end of 2020, either as a stand-alone or second screen option.
Infotainment delivered via app, such as news, magazines, and books was a priority for 47% of airlines surveyed. In-flight communications services, like passenger messaging onboard, was a priority for 43%.
87% of airlines also plan to implement mobile services to enhance customer relationship management over the next three years; with 75% planning to invest in major programs.
47% of airlines are focused on social media-hosted passenger services and 44% are working on major programs or R&D for wearable technology used by staff.
Great news on pricing
While passengers may welcome a world of connected aircraft, the best news is probably that about half (43%) plan to offer free connectivity. Airlines are exploring different business models which might support the expense of offering connectivity onboard, and 42% are considering paid-for wifi.
El Bez adds:
“On the cabin connectivity side, these benefits span everything from enhancing airlines’ brand perception in the eyes of passengers, by enabling them to stay connected to their digital lives when they fly via wifi or cellular, to digitizing cabin crews to personalize the passenger experience with intelligent, CRM-integrated applications. From supporting airlines to monetize inflight connectivity services with clever onboard sponsorship partnerships; or supporting passengers’ choice to enjoy wireless inflight entertainment; to empowering passenger autonomy through delivering connected mobile applications and services to keep them informed and entertained on the move.
“For the cockpit, airline flight operations, management, and safety, connected solutions bring a significant lift to efficiencies and safety procedures. How? From deploying digital solutions that deliver the latest flight context information into the hands of pilots; ever-evolving our flight tracking and flight planning solutions to ensure airlines meet ICAO recommendations to frequently report fleet positions; to providing secure multilink communications to support every stage of flight.
“We also see accelerating industry interest in managing and harnessing the power of aircraft data. Such innovation advances flight and MRO operations with predictive and enriched aircraft operations. Amongst the emerging technologies reported by airlines, 67% plan to invest into initiatives around the Internet-of-Things, 52% around Artificial Intelligence and 44% on wearable technology for staff. All present amazing potential for enhancing airlines’ operations inflight and on the ground.”
Related reading:
Inflight wifi could be a $130 billion market by 2035
Inflight wifi tipping point by 2022