Entertainment

The entertainment options on airplanes are vast and increasing. There will be an airline magazine in the seat pocket in front of you. This is usually issued monthly so has up to date articles on travel destinations, what is on in a number of cities and interviews with prominent people. It will also have the channel selection for music, comedy and other radio channels. It will show movie channel options if they are provided (most airlines except discount airlines). On long distance international flights, a separate entertainment brochure will be in your seat pocket. It will outline the music, radio, video and games channel options. There may be games channels and free-to-air television channels also.

Headphones will be provided and some airlines, there will be a small charge for these. If you are traveling long distance regularly, you may want to invest in a pair of noise canceling headphones. Some airlines hand these out in business and/or first class and they are good at almost eliminating the engine noise from the aircraft. To learn more about noise cancelling headphones, click here.

On long-haul flights, even in economy class, in-seat videos are increasingly available on the back of all seats. The newer systems provide multiple channels including movies, TV shows, music, radio, podcasts and interactive games. The older systems provide less movie channels and run on tape systems which means you have to wait until all the programs finish and recycle prior to being able to watch them again. Depending on the airline and the stage they are at in upgrading (if they are in the process) will determine what you will get. For most airlines, this is outlined on the airline website.

Some airlines provide in seat USB connections. This is useful for keeping your tablet/phone charged while you are travelling. You can also use it to bring you own selection of show and movies to watch.

One new development in airline entertainment is not to provide in seat screens but still provide a full range of movies, TV shows, podcasts, music and radio stations. If this is the case, how it works is that you download the airline entertainment app before you fly onto your phone or tablet. Then in the air, the airline’s entertainment options are streamed through the app. What this means is that you need a tablet or smart phone to watch the entertainment. MOST IMPORTANTLY you need to download the app before you fly. Qantas and Cathay Pacific are two airlines progressively moving to this approach. The airlines are doing this because it saves them money installing screens in every seat!.