Delta Upgrades In-Flight Entertainment Thales Flytedge, with YouTube Partnership

a plane on the tarmac

Delta Airlines is upgrading its in-flight entertainment, by forming a partnership with YouTube, offering SkyMiles Members an enhanced experience that brings their favorite creators, podcasts, and music artists on board, ad-free. This new feature is part of Delta Sync, Delta’s personalized in-flight entertainment system, which was introduced in 2023 for SkyMiles Members.

A New Standard in In-Flight Entertainment

The collaboration with YouTube signifies Delta’s commitment to transforming travel through technology. The next-generation, cloud-based in-flight entertainment system will offer a more personalized and accessible experience, reflecting how passengers consume content at home. With fast, free Wi-Fi and advanced seatback screens, Delta is set to provide a seamless and enriching travel experience.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian emphasized the role of technology in enhancing travel, stating, “Technology has the power to transform travel and create moments for our customers to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.”

Personalized Content and Enhanced Features

a screenshot of a flight
Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

The new system, developed in partnership with Thales Avionics using Flytedge, will debut on select new aircraft starting in 2026. Key features include:

  • 4K HDR QLED Displays: Offering vibrant, theater-like viewing experiences.
  • Bluetooth Capabilities: Allowing travelers to use their personal wireless devices.
  • 96-Terabyte Storage System: Providing extensive high-quality content.
  • Advanced Recommendation Engine: Tailoring content to individual preferences.
  • Do Not Disturb Mode: Giving passengers control over their in-flight experience.

a screenshot of a menu
Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

Innovative Digital Features

a screen shot of a computer
image Credit: Delta Air Lines

    Delta’s new seatback system will include several innovative digital features:

    • Onboard Experience Planner: Helps passengers personalize their in-flight experience.
    • Curated Collections: Offers multimedia content tailored to destinations and passenger preferences.
    • Seatback Announcement Translation: Provides flight information in customers’ preferred languages, enhancing accessibility.
    • Arrival Mode: Integrates essential travel information directly into the seatback display.

    Industry Leaders on Board

    Ranjan Goswami, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Design, highlighted the airline’s commitment to evolving digital experiences, ensuring they remain intuitive and seamless for customers.

    Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice President of Avionics at Thales, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the innovation brought to Delta’s aircraft.

    Future Prospects

    Delta’s partnership with YouTube underscores its dedication to bringing premium content to the skies. Mary Ellen Coe, YouTube’s Chief Business Officer, shared enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the importance of providing access to beloved content even while flying.

    With these developments, Delta is not only enhancing in-flight entertainment but also setting a new benchmark for the industry, promising a more connected and enjoyable travel experience for its customers.

    Delta also announced an exclusive partnership with Uber, and a generative AI feature.

    Analysis

    I’m a software engineer by trade, so I especially enjoy discussing airline technology. I’m intrigued by Delta’s efforts to personalize the PTV (personal TV) experience. At AIX 2024, I had the opportunity to meet with Thales and learn more about their Flytedge platform, which I covered in detail. According to Thales, Delta is using Flytedge, which is exciting because it provides a robust platform for Delta to expand its entertainment offerings and update the system with ease.

    That said, I’ll reserve judgment on Delta’s implementation of Flytedge until I experience it firsthand on a flight. I’m also eager to try Delta’s generative AI features in the future.

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