More than 40 per cent of air passengers prefer to use their own device to access in-flight entertainment, which could be useful for airlines looking at ways to cut costs. Courtesy of Emirates Airlines
More than 40 per cent of air passengers prefer to use their own device to access in-flight entertainment, which could be useful for airlines looking at ways to cut costs. Courtesy of Emirates Airlines

Transport

Four out of 10 air passengers want own device for in-flight access

Some airlines are testing faster in-flight WiFi while others offer device rentals

LeAnne Graves

October 31, 2017

More than 40 per cent of air passengers prefer their own devices to access inflight entertainment, according to a poll.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said in its global passenger survey released on Monday that the concept of 'Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) provided a “win for both the carriers and the passengers they carry”.

The Montreal-based aviation trade body surveyed nearly 11,000 passengers from 152 countries, finding that 42 per cent of travellers would prefer using their own devices such as tablets and smartphones to access entertainment while in the air.

“The importance of smartphone technology, the demand for more automation and personalisation throughout the travel process and desire to stay connected is not new to aviation; however the [survey] highlights the extent of the opportunities on offer and the need for airlines and airports and to invest significantly in this area,” said Nick Careen, Iata’s senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security.

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He said airlines and airports need to increase easy-to-use mobile services to satisfy customers and meet demand.

“But industry can’t achieve this alone. Government support is essential to change antiquated regulations before the industry can fully transform," he said.

Etihad said on Sunday that it was introducing to its passengers from late-2018 a faster internet service that cuts current in-flight buffering. The technology from satellite operator Yahsat and telecom company du will be outfitted to an Etihad plane during the Dubai Airshow next month.

While there is a growing demand for technology, BYOD support has dropped from last year’s 51 per cent. Iata could not be reached for further comment.

American Airlines have already started to dismiss seat-back entertainment with its latest order of 100 Boeing 737s, expected to start service by the end of the year. TV screens on seats cost up to US$3 million per aircraft, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The absence of the built-in screen can be replaced by tablets on offer from the airline. US carrier, United, announced that it was testing a programme to offer in-flight entertainment Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablet rentals on its service between Honolulu and Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Guam. This helps the airline recoup expenditures on the smart devices charging $9.99 for use of six hours or less or $14.99 for more than six hours.

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FINAL RESULT

Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)

Wanderers
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cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2

Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

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Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
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