Jet Airways launches wireless in-flight entertainment

Jet Airways has begun offering wireless streaming of in-flight entertainment on its domestic flights.

At present the service is available on six Boeing 737 aircraft and it allows passengers to watch movies, television shows, listen to music or play games on their personal devices for free. Two of these aircraft operate Mumbai-Delhi sector. The service will be extended to airline's 75 Boeing 737 aircraft by next March.

Jet Airways is second airline after Vistara to introduce the service in Indian skies. Vistara however has not extended the service beyond one aircraft and still runs it as a trial. On Friday Dragonair, a Cathay Pacific group airline, too announced launch of on board wireless entertainment on its A320 aircraft on Hong Kong-Kolkata route.

Jet Airways has said it will offer full broad band satellite connectivity to allow users to surf internet and send emails from the plane and is in discussions with vendors for the same. Satellite connectivity will be offered upon receipt of regulatory approvals.

Globally airlines offer wi-fi service for a fee but the same is restricted in Indian skies due to regulations. Last week civil aviation secretary R N Choubey said that onboard wi-fi will be allowed in ten days.

"Our positioning as a full service airline requires us to be one step ahead of the competition and the launch of wireless streaming reinforces that," said Colin Neubronner, senior vice president (sales and marketing) of Jet Airways. Neubronner believes that a section of consumers in India would be willing to pay for satellite connectivity countering the views of low cost airlines which feel that there will be few takers for the service.

"Globally three out of four passengers select an airline on the basis of onboard connectivity and I believe this will apply to India too," said Belson Coutinho, airline's vice president (marketing and e-commerce).