ELEVATING PASSENGER EXPERIENCES

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is setting new standards in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) with the launch of its state-of-the-art software design and development facility in Pune, highlights

- NIDHI SHARMA

Inflight entertainment (IFE) adds excitement to long-haul travel, transporting you from a cramped airplane seat to a world of movies, documentaries and games. It's no wonder many airlines are equipping their widebody planes with large screens.

However, bringing this magic takes its own share of effort and the expertise of leaders in the field like Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The global leader in in-flight engagement and connectivity (IFEC) solutions recently inaugurated a new software design and development facility in Hinjawadi, Pune.

Passengers today crave the same seamless connection they experience on the ground - a constant stream of entertainment, information, and communication - even at 30,000 feet. Our laptops, tablets, and smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, and airlines are wise to cater to this ever-present need.

A recent report by Data Reportal reveals a startling truth the average person aged 16 to 64 spends a whopping 6 hours and 40 minutes glued to their screens every single day. That translates to a mind-boggling 46 hours and 40 minutes a week, practically two full days, staring at our devices!

From laptops and tablets to smartphones and TVs, our lives have become intricately intertwined with the digital world. The prospect of a digital blackout while flying is no longer acceptable. Passengers now expect the same level of digital connectivity in the air as they have on the ground, with equally high quality. The global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market size was valued at $6.37 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from $7.48 billion in 2023 to $21.03 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.9 per cent. In the present year, the IFEC market is estimated to be $8.6 billion in 2024. By 2029, it is projected to reach $11.7 billion, at a CAGR of 6.3 per cent from 2024 to 2029.