Delta passengers are in for a unique experience when traveling.
That’s because the airline is rolling out something new for customers aboard their flights and it comes in the form of more options other than just the bland, in-flight movie.
The airline will allow those on board to view content from YouTube – including YouTube Premium and YouTube Music – on their airline’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.
The move was first announced in January at CES, where the partnership with YouTube is slated to add a curated selection of the streaming site’s content to Delta’s existing offers, which includes Delta Studios for a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, and live TV from DirecTV in addition to other entertainment options.
The partnership, which began Sept. 25, also allows YouTube access via in-flight WiFi and mobile devices.
Per Delta’s officials, traveling doesn’t have to be a bore anymore. While more people travel with their smartphones and tablets these days to pass the time, airlines like Delta are making sure passengers’ in-flight entertainment experience is just as smooth as the flight itself.
Delta’s Managing Director of Engagement & Optimization Sarah Downs says the airline has long been committed to ensuring that the in-flight experience is similar to taking in content when at the theater – or even at home.
“We’re giving customers ways to enjoy content from their favorite studios in multiple ways from multiple screens, just like you might do at home,” Downs told Variety, highlighting the “personalization of the seatback screen” through the airline’s ‘Delta Sync’ seatback experience.
About Delta Sync, it’s the airline’s feature that pairs the company’s mobile app and your seatback display, providing up-to-the-minute information on your flight, arrival times, gate, baggage information and more. There’s even a “continue watching” feature that allows you to continue where you left off of a series or movie if you have a connecting flight.
The ‘Continue Watching’ feature allows customers to continue watching from flight to flight, so if you didn’t finish watching a movie on the first flight of your trip, you can pick it up after your layover, or on your return flight,” Downs explains. Delta Sync also offers a media recommendation engine that is “serving up content we think you’ll enjoy,” she noted, “[and] creating a more seamless and connected experience from trip-to-trip.”