In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Report 2026

The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.67 billion in 2025 to $5.06 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing air passenger traffic volumes, deployment of seatback entertainment systems, expansion of long-haul flight operations, rising competition among airlines, early adoption of onboard connectivity services.

The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of satellite-based connectivity solutions, rising demand for seamless onboard internet access, expansion of connected aircraft ecosystems, growing focus on digital passenger engagement, increasing investment in next-generation ife platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of high-speed in-flight connectivity, rising demand for personalized passenger entertainment, growing integration of wireless ife systems, expansion of cloud-based content delivery, enhanced focus on passenger experience optimization.

The rising number of airline passengers has emerged as a key factor driving the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market. Growth in passenger traffic has resulted in higher demand for a wide range of in-flight entertainment services, including video streaming, text messaging, gaming, and internet browsing. For instance, in May 2025, according to IATA (International Air Transport Association), a Canada-based international trade association representing the world’s airlines, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased by 8% compared to April 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), grew by 6.5% year-on-year. As a result, the expanding airline passenger base is fueling the growth of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market.

Major companies operating in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market are placing greater emphasis on launching smart connected solutions to strengthen their competitive position. Smart connected solutions involve integrated technologies that enable passengers to access high-speed internet, personalized content, and interactive services seamlessly during flights. For instance, in April 2025, Viasat, Inc., a United States-based provider of satellite communications and in-flight connectivity solutions, introduced Amara, a next-generation in-flight connectivity solution featuring a proprietary multi-network, multi-orbit smart antenna terminal along with a suite of digital products designed to deliver flexible, airline-specific passenger experiences. The system allows airlines to provide differentiated high-speed internet access, scalable bandwidth distribution, and improved integration of entertainment and connectivity services onboard. This launch highlights how major market players are prioritizing smart connected solutions to address the evolving needs of passengers and airlines.

In September 2024, Gogo, a Tanzania-based internet company, acquired Satcom Direct for $375 million. This acquisition aims to enhance Gogo's presence in the business aviation market and facilitate entry into the military and government mobility sectors. Satcom Direct, a US-based aviation technology services company, provides hardware systems, aviation flight management, and connectivity solutions tailored to aircraft type, mission, routes, passenger demand, and installation requirements.

Major companies operating in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market are Panasonic Corporation; Thales Group; Gogo Inc; Viasat Inc; Honeywell International Inc; Astronics Corporation; Cobham Limited; Thinkom Solutions Inc; Burrana Inc; Safran SA; Eutelsat Communications SA; Iridium Communications Inc; Bluebox Aviation Systems Ltd; DigEcor Inc; The Spafax Group; FDS Avionics Corp; Northern Avionics srl; Stellar Entertainment Group; Satcom Direct; Intelsat SA; SES SA.

North America was the largest region in the in-flight connectivity and entertainment market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Tariffs are impacting the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market by increasing costs of imported satellite components, connectivity hardware, seatback screens, processors, and communication modules used in aircraft installations. Airlines and OEMs in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported avionics and connectivity equipment, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on aircraft retrofitting programs. These tariffs are raising installation costs and delaying upgrade schedules. However, they are also encouraging localized assembly, supplier diversification, and innovation in lightweight and cost-efficient IFEC solutions.

The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides in-flight entertainment and connectivity market statistics, including in-flight entertainment and connectivity industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a in-flight entertainment and connectivity market share, detailed in-flight entertainment and connectivity market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity industry. This in-flight entertainment and connectivity market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

In-flight entertainment and connectivity pertain to the array of entertainment and connectivity options provided to passengers aboard an aircraft during a flight. This encompasses diverse interconnected multimedia content and platforms that enable passengers to enjoy movies, games, music, information about the travel route, on-board menus, procedural guidelines, and other informative content, thereby enhancing the overall flight experience.

The primary categories of in-flight entertainment and connectivity are hardware and services. In-flight entertainment and connectivity hardware include various products essential for in-flight connectivity, such as antennas, wireless LAN controllers, wireless access points, wireless hotspot gateways, and other hardware facilitating entertainment and connectivity. The different connectivity technologies for in-flight entertainment and connectivity encompass satellite technology and air-to-ground methods, utilized by end-users such as OEMs and the aftermarket.

The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market includes revenues earned by entities by offering movies, music, TV shows, audio books, games. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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