Inflight Entertainment Systems 2026
Panasonic eX3 vs Thales AVANT vs Collins PAVES — every major IFE provider compared. Screen sizes, content libraries, BYOD support, and which airlines have the best onboard entertainment experience.
IFE vs In-flight WiFi: What's the Difference?
IFE (Inflight Entertainment) is the seatback screen system — it runs on the aircraft's local network and doesn't require an internet connection. Content is pre-loaded onto the aircraft's servers before departure. WiFi is the internet service you purchase separately. Some airlines combine both (Emirates ICE + WiFi); others offer strong IFE but limited WiFi (Singapore Airlines), and some offer great WiFi but minimal IFE (JetBlue).
IFE Systems Compared
Panasonic Avionics eX3
eX3 (current) / eX2 (legacy)
Screen size
10–23 inch (varies by cabin)
Resolution
HD 1080p on eX3
Content
3,000–4,500+ titles (varies by airline)
BYOD
Yes
Strengths
- +Outstanding Emirates ICE library (4,500+ films)
- +High-res screens on flagship A380/777 routes
- +BYOD companion app support
Weaknesses
- −Legacy eX2 system significantly older UI
- −Content depth varies widely by airline
Airlines: Emirates (A380, 777X), Singapore Airlines (A350), United (widebody), Turkish Airlines
Thales AVANT Up
AVANT Up / InFlyt 360
Screen size
13–18 inch
Resolution
HD / 4K on AVANT Up flagship
Content
300–1,500+ titles
BYOD
Yes
Strengths
- +AVANT Up is high-quality on new Air France/Delta aircraft
- +4K screens on premium installations
- +Good UI responsiveness
Weaknesses
- −Content library smaller than Panasonic/Zodiac
- −Inconsistent across different aircraft generations
Airlines: Air France (long-haul), KLM (long-haul), Delta (international), American Airlines (787)
Collins Aerospace (Rockwell Collins)
PAVES Prestige / PAVES iQ
Screen size
12–17 inch
Resolution
HD
Content
300–1,200+ titles
BYOD
BYOD via app on newer implementations
Strengths
- +Reliable system with mature software
- +Good noise-cancelling headset integration
- +PAVES iQ touchscreen is responsive
Weaknesses
- −Content library and UI less polished than Panasonic
- −Older PAVES Prestige hardware shows its age
Airlines: Cathay Pacific (B777), British Airways (select), Etihad (wide-body)
Safran RAVE
RAVE / eX1
Screen size
10–13 inch
Resolution
HD
Content
100–300 titles
BYOD
Yes
Strengths
- +Good for domestic aircraft (A320-family)
- +JetBlue's free WiFi makes BYOD streaming excellent complement
Weaknesses
- −Smaller content library
- −Primarily domestic-spec system
Airlines: JetBlue (A320 domestic), Norwegian (long-haul, select)
No IFE / BYOD Only
N/A
Screen size
Your own device
Resolution
Your own device
Content
Varies — airline app or streaming
BYOD
Via your own device (Netflix offline, etc.)
Strengths
- +Your own screen
- +Download content in advance on Netflix / Disney+
- +No shared-screen hygiene concerns
Weaknesses
- −No airline content library
- −Battery drain on long flights
- −No WiFi to stream live — must pre-download
Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Most short-haul LCCs
Best Seatback Screens by Airline
| Cabin | Screen Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates (A380 First Class) | 23" widescreen | Private suite with dedicated screen — industry-leading seatback experience. |
| Singapore Airlines (Suites) | 32" LCD monitor | Technically not seatback — standalone screen in private suite. Unmatched. |
| Qatar Airways (Business Qsuite) | 21.5" | Outstanding content library via Oryx One. Privacy suite context makes it exceptional. |
| Lufthansa (Business, A350) | 15.6" | 4K OLED on the A350. Headphones with active noise cancelling included. |
| Delta (Premium Select, A330) | 13.3" | Thales AVANT system. Good brightness and touch responsiveness. |
| JetBlue (Mint Business) | 17" seatback | Safran system supplemented by free Fly-Fi — stream your own services on the seatback or your device. |
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Maximising Entertainment Without WiFi
Netflix:Download up to 25 titles per device in advance. The app shows download-eligible content with a download icon. Works offline with no WiFi.
Disney+:Offline downloads supported for most content. Higher download quality available vs Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video:Download directly to the app. Some Prime titles restricted from download — check before your flight.
Spotify / Apple Music:Download playlists and albums in advance. Spotify Premium required for offline. Apple Music offline works on any subscription tier.
YouTube Premium:Offline downloads via YouTube app. A less obvious option but useful for YouTube-native content.
Airline apps:Many airlines (BA, United, Emirates) have apps that let you stream content from the aircraft's local server — no WiFi purchase needed, just connect to the aircraft's WiFi.
Common Questions
Which airline has the best inflight entertainment?
Emirates consistently tops independent rankings with its ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment) system: 4,500+ films, TV shows, music, and live news. Singapore Airlines' KrisWorld and Qatar Airways' Oryx One are close competitors with excellent content libraries. Screen quality is best on Emirates A380 First (23") and Singapore Suites (32").
What does BYOD mean for inflight entertainment?
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) means the airline lets you stream entertainment to your phone, tablet, or laptop rather than providing seatback screens. Usually accessed via the airline's IFE app and connecting to the aircraft's onboard server (which doesn't require internet WiFi). JetBlue's approach is notable — it provides BYOD streaming plus free internet WiFi.
Can I use Netflix on a plane?
Netflix requires an internet connection — you need purchased airline WiFi, and enough speed (5+ Mbps for HD). Alternatively, download Netflix content to your device before your flight using Netflix's offline download feature (available on most phones and tablets).