Busy travellers tune in and unwind

Emirates travellers gearing up for the busy December and January travel season can look forward to over 1,100 entertainment choices onboard all aircraft equipped with Emirates inflight entertainment system, ice, guaranteeing both an exciting and relaxing start to their holiday journeys.

Emirates' 1,100-plus entertainment options span a tremendous variety offered on 600 channels- a quantity that lands the airline top spot for available content onboard. Choices include video and audio on-demand, over 40 interactive games, satellite telephone, sms and email, live BBC news headlines, an airshow moving map and external cameras for a bird’s eye view of the journey en route. The endless list is available on all aircraft equipped with Emirates ice entertainment system- currently about half of the fleet.

In addition, all Emirates aircraft equipped with the TV and Radio Entertainment System now offer more new release films each month. Options include 16 new movie releases, Disney favourites, classic movies and a broad selection of cinema from around the world. A wide range of television options featuring comedy, sport, documentary and children's programmes as well as 26 diverse audio channels add further choice for the passenger. During December and January, younger travellers can choose from such new movies as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Barnyard, Flicka, The Ant Bully, Stormbreaker, Zoom and Disney classics Finding Nemo and Beauty and The Beast.

As with travelling on an ice equipped aircraft, passengers are also offered satellite telephone, sms and email, live BBC news headlines, an airshow moving map, external cameras plus a great selection of 50 games to play.

As family and seasonal traffic increases year on year, inflight entertainment has become increasingly important for air travel customers.

According to Skytrax Research of London, the best-recognized passenger survey in the air travel industry, inflight entertainment has become a highly influential factor in customer evaluation of the overall travel experience and airline choice. The survey has also identified audio and video on-demand as one of the top entertainment features highly favoured by passengers.

Mike Simon, Divisional Senior Vice President Corporate Communications, Emirates, said: “December and January travel are traditionally one of the busiest times for the industry with marked increases in family travel in particular. Emirates has made the most comprehensive selection of inflight entertainment available for every taste and age. Our inflight entertainment provides passengers with respite from the frantic pace of the holidays.”

For last year’s December and January travel rush, Emirates carried over two-and-a half million passengers and this year the airline is expecting to carry close to three-and-a half million. The figures represent a projected increase of 22% this year over last.

"The quality and availability of our inflight entertainment stands as one of the major determinants for our passengers' choice and is reflected by our increasing numbers, particularly around holiday travel periods,” added Simon.

Emirates offers 140 movies and 300 individual television programmes,100 of which are exclusively for children. During the months of December and January, for television alone there is over 150 hours of programming available at any one time! Options for children are extensive with 25 Disney and 10 "young audience" movies available during the festive travel period. Over 40 interactive games covering classic arcade games, multiplayer trivia and children’s games suitable for a variety of age and skill are also available on every flight.