Global leaders of IFE in 2025

According to the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Cathay Pacific has claimed the title of World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, with Emirates placing second and Qatar Airways third, followed by Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines rounding out the top five. These top-tier carriers distinguish themselves by offering expansive content libraries, seamless In-Flight Connectivity (IFC), and cutting-edge entertainment platforms, ensuring passengers enjoy both variety and technical quality.

As competition in the air travel market intensifies, in-flight entertainment (IFE) and additional services are becoming crucial for enhancing passenger experience and differentiating airlines. 

What makes “best-in-class” IFE in 2025?

The inflight entertainment market is projected to double by 2030, driven by sustained investment in platforms, richer content libraries, and seamless inflight connectivity. 

• The IFC hybrid model: By designing embedded systems that are agnostic and fully interoperable with existing connectivity services, airlines gain flexibility to balance cost and performance. This approach allows them to provide connectivity for essential uses such as messaging, social networking, and money transactions, while preserving bandwidth for streaming high-quality embedded inflight content that keeps passengers engaged.
  
  
• Seatback screens with BYOD, not either/or: If passengers increasingly prefer using their own connected devices on board (97% of them), over 50% cite limited charging outlets as a barrier to enjoying wireless IFE on long flights. At the same time, not all passengers travel with smartphones or tablets. The smartest airlines are embracing a blended model, seatback screens and wireless IFE, to satisfy every demographic and maximize reach.
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• Enhance content diversity: Blockbusters is the first choice for in-flight entertainment. However, a best-in-class IFE system ensures there’s something for every mood: from blockbuster movies, drama, comedy, and curated music, to trending games, podcasts, and daily news. This balance of variety and freshness keeps engagement high throughout the journey.
  
  
• Centralized experience: IFE should never stand alone. It’s a pillar of a seamless, stress-free journey, integrated with Wi-Fi access, services, and retail. Entertainment becomes part of a connected experience, supporting both passenger satisfaction and airline strategy.

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Turning IFE into ancillary revenues

With 26% of airline executives naming ancillary revenues a top strategic concern, the opportunity to turn IFE into a revenue driver has never been clearer. By leveraging IFE/IFC touch points throughout the journey, airlines can convert engagement into spend.

• Targeted retail moments: From bundles to upgrades to F&B pre-orders, content and commerce increasingly live in the same interface. The more relevant and accessible the offer, the higher the conversion.
  
  
• Data-informed offers: IFE and Wi-Fi portals generate valuable behavioral insights. Airlines can use this data to optimize timing, personalize offers, and increase conversion.

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The airlines topping IFE rankings today are those that combine engaging content, reliable connectivity, and digital marketplace to unlock new revenue streams while elevating the passenger experience.

Paul Gros
VP Sales at Moment

“The future of inflight entertainment isn’t just about what passengers watch or play, it’s about how every interaction can create value. By aligning entertainment, connectivity, and retail in a single journey, airlines can transform IFE from a cost center into a growth engine.”

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Download our Passenger In-Flight Digital Behavior report for more insights and data to guide your IFE/IFC roadmap.

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