SpiceJet to offer streaming content on board
NEW DELHI: SpiceJet will start offering streaming movies, cricket and other content on all its flights beginning later this year, becoming the first Indian low-fare airline to do so.
All 49 SpiceJet planes will be fitted BoardConnect Portable from Lufthansa Systems, which will store and wirelessly stream pre-loaded content to passengers’ Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices.
Full service airline like Jet Airways and Air India already offer in-flight streaming content on some of their flights.
SpiceJet, which charges passengers for food, baggage and preferred seating, did not say if it will charge for the streaming video service. The service will also be used to sell products on the flight.
“SpiceJet expects to be the first LCC (low-cost carrier) in India to provide this unique entertainment and shopping experience to its customers,” Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director, SpiceJet said in the statement.
BoardConnect Portable includes a server and access points in a single device called the Mobile Streaming Unit (MSU). About the size of a conventional tablet, it can be mounted or removed without affecting other components in the aircraft, for example in the galley.
An integrated modem allows rapid wireless updates of content while the aircraft is on the ground.
In the past, airlines used to install in-flight entertainment systems connected with long wiring behind the back of each seat, which were expensive to maintain.
SpiceJet controls a 13% market share compared with IndiGo’s nearly 40% market share. IndiGo, Indias largest airline flies 133 aircraft.