Delta Air Lines is introducing a cloud-based inflight entertainment (IFE) system. The first of its kind, the new system will facilitate the delivery of richer content to passengers, partnerships with trusted brands, and the evolution of the Delta Sync experience introduced in 2023 for SkyMiles Members.
In collaboration with Thales Avionics, the airline expects to bring the IFE experience onboard starting in 2026 with select new aircraft deliveries.
Delta passengers will be among the first to use the new, state-of-the-art hardware and software that upgrades the Delta Sync seatback experience.
Cloud-based IFE
Powered by the first cloud-based IFE infrastructure, the next-generation seatback experience will include an intelligent 4K HDR QLED display offering a high-contrast, vibrant theatre-like viewing experience.
Bluetooth capabilities will be available in all cabins so travellers can pair personal electronic devices.
A 96-terabyte storage system, with more than 50 times the capacity of the average Delta IFE system capacity, will be capable of delivering more high-quality content and streaming experiences.
The advanced recommendation engine will tailor content to customer preferences, so they can spend more time enjoying and less time scrolling.
Onboard Experience Planner
The Onboard Experience Planner will have seatback features including a ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode for meals and provide passengers with more control over their journeys. Choices will be communicated with flight attendants. Future enhancements will include features like guided wellness experiences and options for customising the food and beverage choices.
The system will enable passengers to understand crucial flight information, regardless of their first language, and make the travel experience more accessible to people with hearing disabilities.
Flight attendants will be able to send specific messages to seatback screens and translate them into passengers’ preferred languages. This is a step towards dynamic, personalised in-flight communication capabilities.
Arrival Mode integrates key travel information from the Fly Delta app directly into the seatback environment. This ensures SkyMiles Members have the information they need across devices to transition confidently to the next stage of their journey.
In partnership with Hughes, Delta is exploring a first in commercial aviation connectivity solution that will enable simultaneous multi-network connectivity. It is expected to fly onboard in late 2025. It will mean more reliable streaming to personal devices and more stable performance across Delta’s global network.
Partnership with YouTube
An announcement was made on the CES 2025 keynote stage that YouTube will join the Delta Sync experience to bring customers fresh, dynamic, ad-free content that reflects their lifestyles and how they are entertained at home. This is part of a strategy to make travel increasingly more personalised.
SkyMiles Members will soon be able to enjoy their favourite creators, podcasts and music artists ad-free while onboard most flights with Delta Sync Wi-Fi and Delta Sync. Delta says the partnership underscores its dedication to bringing the at-home entertainment experience to the sky.
The airline pointed out that it creates a unique opportunity to elevate discovery, champion diverse voices and bring travellers a curated experience going beyond traditional inflight entertainment.
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said: “Technology has the power to transform travel and create moments for our customers to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seatback screens or any of the other personalised channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles Members.”
Ranjan Goswami, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Design at Delta, said, “As technology evolves, our customers expect their travel experience to adapt and evolve with them. They want it to be intuitive, contextual and seamless in a way that supports and guides them so that they can move through life with confidence. To stay ahead of those expectations, Delta is committed to continuously evolving our industry-leading digital experiences across channels to ensure the sky is never the limit – it’s only the beginning.”
