Stream entertainment, send messages and plan excursions directly on your device. TUI Airline launches new digital experience on board 59 aircraft, with ongoing expansion to more flights.
TUI flights are now more digital than ever. Passengers across Europe can now enjoy a modern, flexible and user-friendly in-flight entertainment experience. With the new platform, travellers can watch films, chat and start discovering and planning activities at their destination right during the flight – all directly on their smartphone or tablet. Following a successful launch, the platform is now available on 59 short- and medium-haul routes Boeing aircraft. .Another 15 planes will be equipped later this year.
– Our new platform seamlessly combines entertainment, travel information and services where our guests' holidays begin: on board. This makes TUI even more digital and optimizes our flight experience for customers across Europe. We are also very proud to be the first airline to enable our guests to book exclusive excursions to their destination while flying to the beach, says Peter Glade, Chief Commercial Officer at TUI Airline.
The system offers many features: in the entertainment section, guests have access to over 100 films in eight languages, 20 TV series, 16 podcasts and 6 games. In addition, exclusive content such as ”TUI World Cook – Season 1” is available free of charge. TUI is also setting new standards in communication: as the first airline in the world, it is enabling WhatsApp messages during flights via the Iridium Certus network. The function is available for both iOS and Android users and can be booked per hour or for the entire duration of the flight. Other messaging services such as iMessage will be integrated in the coming months.
But the new platform goes beyond entertainment. Through TUI Musement, passengers can explore and reserve from more than 1,500 curated experiences for their destination directly on board. Booking is easy. Customers receive a secure payment link via email after landing, allowing them to confirm their booking in minutes. The experiences range from guided city tours and unique culinary workshops to immersive cultural performances. Currently, TUI is offering special prices on all ”TUI Collection” products, a curated selection of sustainable experiences led by local guides and designed to provide authentic insights into the destination.
“Our mission is to make memorable, high-quality experiences easily accessible to every traveler, wherever they are. By integrating our curated portfolio directly into the airline platform, we not only inspire guests to dream about their destination, but also give them the opportunity to start shaping their journey while they are still in the air. It is a seamless extension of the TUI experience – digital, personal and designed to make every moment of the trip meaningful,” says Mirco Fiumene, Chief Marketing Officer at TUI Musement.
In addition, the platform offers extensive shopping and activity options. Flight and destination information completes the offering. An interactive flight progress display with a 3D moving map, altitude, remaining flight time, outside temperature and speed is a highlight for many guests.
– The positive feedback confirms that with our new flight platform we are meeting the needs of our passengers exactly. We are committed to a long-term, flexible solution that grows with our passengers' expectations and sustainably improves the flight experience. Today we are already exploring the next innovation steps, such as the use of high-speed connectivity or the integration of additional content, explains Jill Nye, Director of Customer, Cabin Crew and Inflight Services at TUI Airline.
Access to the system is simple and affordable. For €3.90 per device, passengers get full access to movies, series and podcasts. Those who want to stay in touch via WhatsApp during the flight can do so from €3.50 for one hour or €6.00 for the entire flight.
The platform is technically designed to operate independently of specific hardware, ensuring future viability. The project was nominated for the ”FTE Innovate Award” and is considered an industry benchmark for smart, cost-effective and sustainable narrowband solutions for in-flight experiences.
According to the press release.
