Air India has made a significant upgrade to its inflight services by extending its wireless entertainment service, Vista Stream, to its narrowbody fleet. This service, which was first introduced in August 2024 on Air India’s wide-body aircraft, is now available across both widebody and narrowbody planes. This update ensures that passengers can enjoy uninterrupted entertainment on both domestic and international flights.
What is Vista Stream?
Vista Stream is a wireless entertainment service that allows passengers to stream a wide range of content directly to their personal devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This service provides a smooth and immersive entertainment experience during the flight. With Vista Stream, passengers can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and more without needing to rely on traditional seat-back screens.
Air India Competitive Edge with Free Inflight WiFi
The addition of Vista Stream across Air India’s entire fleet sets the airline apart from its competitors in India. Unlike other domestic airlines, Air India offers free inflight WiFi to all its passengers, making it a standout feature. This move gives the airline a significant edge over its domestic peers, as it enhances the overall passenger experience by offering free and reliable internet connectivity.
Company Statement on the Update
Rajesh Dogra, Air India’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, expressed his excitement about the new feature. He said, “As we continue to transform Air India into a world-class airline, we are happy to introduce Vista Stream that enables our guests to access digital entertainment content on their personal devices during their flight. With the introduction of Vista Stream across our narrowbody fleet, uninterrupted entertainment (BYOD) service will be available throughout the entire domestic and international network.”
Features of Vista Stream
Vista Stream is designed to work seamlessly with various devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. It also features a live map that allows passengers to track their flight in real-time. This makes it easy for passengers to stay informed about their journey while enjoying their favorite content. The system is simple to use, ensuring that all passengers can access entertainment throughout the flight.
Government Rules Support Inflight WiFi
The Ministry of Communications recently amended the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules to allow WiFi on domestic flights. According to the new rules, passengers can use WiFi when electronic devices are permitted on the aircraft, even at altitudes of 3,000 meters. This change has made it easier for airlines like Air India to offer reliable inflight WiFi services to passengers.
Global Trends in Inflight WiFi
In-flight WiFi is not a new concept, as several international airlines have been offering this service for years. Recently, SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite internet service, has made waves in the industry by providing high-speed WiFi on flights. In 2024, Hawaiian Airlines began offering free Starlink WiFi on many of its flights, using low-orbit satellites to provide fast internet access. United Airlines and Qatar Airways have also partnered with Starlink to enhance their inflight internet services.
How Inflight WiFi Works
There are two main types of systems used to deliver in-flight internet: air-to-ground systems and satellite connectivity. The air-to-ground system works similarly to cellular networks, where ground-based towers transmit signals directly to the aircraft. On the other hand, satellite-based WiFi uses antennas on the aircraft to receive signals from satellites in orbit. SpaceX’s Starlink service is an example of satellite-based technology, providing reliable, high-speed internet to participating airlines.
SpaceX’s Starlink Technology
Starlink’s satellite system uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet services to passengers. This technology allows passengers to access streaming platforms, online gaming, business applications, and personal communications throughout their flight. Starlink’s technology has revolutionized inflight WiFi by providing faster and more reliable connectivity than traditional satellite systems.
Future of Inflight WiFi
As more airlines, including Air India, adopt advanced WiFi systems like Vista Stream and Starlink, the inflight internet experience will continue to improve. Passengers can expect faster speeds, more content options, and a smoother browsing experience during their flights. With Air India leading the way in offering free inflight WiFi, it is clear that the future of air travel is becoming more connected and convenient for passengers.
