IBNS-CMEDIA: Tata Group-owned Air India on Tuesday unveiled a preview of its next-generation connected in-flight entertainment (IFE) software, the Vista Digital Platform, which aims to transform the way passengers experience entertainment and services during their journeys.
Developed by Air India’s in-house design and software teams, the platform will feature several patent-pending innovations and is currently being integrated with IFE hardware systems. Progressive deployment is planned to begin in the second half of 2027, initially on select new aircraft deliveries, before being extended across the airline’s fleet over time.
Designed to create a more personalised and connected passenger experience, Vista Digital Platform aims to provide greater consistency across different types of in-flight entertainment hardware while enabling richer interactions before, during and after each journey.
Unlike traditional IFE platforms that largely operate as closed, standalone systems, Vista Digital Platform will function as an extension of Air India’s broader digital ecosystem. By leveraging modern software architecture, artificial intelligence and in-flight connectivity, the platform is expected to enable the airline to introduce new features, services and content more quickly and efficiently, while reducing costs and delivering a more seamless passenger experience.
Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India, said the adoption of open-source operating systems by IFE hardware vendors, the deployment of satellite broadband connectivity on aircraft and advances in AI have created an opportunity to reimagine the airline cabin experience.
“The adoption of open-source operating systems by in-flight entertainment hardware vendors, the deployment of satellite broadband connectivity on aircraft and modern AI technologies create a unique ‘app store launch moment’ for reimagining the airline cabin experience,” Ramaswamy said.
He said Air India was among a small number of airlines developing a connected software platform in-house to power personalised entertainment and commerce experiences.
“With this advancement, the inflight entertainment system has the potential to become the most important screen our guests interact with, joining Air India’s award-winning mobile app and website as one of our core digital consumer platforms,” he said.
Ramaswamy added that deployment would begin progressively from the second half of 2027, while the airline was sharing an early preview of the platform.
Key features of Vista Digital Platform
Consistent experience across the fleet:
Passengers often encounter different entertainment interfaces depending on the aircraft they are travelling on. Vista Digital Platform is designed to provide a consistent and intuitive user experience across multiple aircraft types, making navigation more familiar. The platform will also support over-the-air software and content updates, allowing Air India to roll out new features and improvements more efficiently.
Connected journey across digital channels:
The platform will integrate with Air India’s mobile app, website and backend digital systems. In the future, passengers could access loyalty services, travel information and selected booking-related features directly through the seatback screen. The mobile app could also serve as a companion experience, allowing passengers to browse and curate entertainment preferences before boarding and interact with the IFE system during the flight.
Personalisation across journeys:
One of the platform’s key capabilities will be continuity across flights. Passengers could, for instance, resume a movie or programme from the point where they stopped on a previous Air India flight, allowing their entertainment preferences to carry across multiple journeys.
Streaming-style experience:
The interface will offer the ease of navigation and personalisation associated with leading over-the-top (OTT) and streaming platforms. Its AI-powered system is designed to surface relevant content and services, helping passengers discover entertainment, meals, travel products, games, children’s content, reading materials and more.
Location-aware discovery and commerce:
The platform will also feature a patent-pending “commerce-on-map” capability. This could allow passengers to discover and book experiences and travel-related services associated with destinations they are flying over or planning to visit, combining destination discovery with in-flight convenience.
Vista Digital Platform forms part of Air India’s broader strategy to develop technology platforms aimed at reshaping the passenger experience. As digital connectivity and AI technologies continue to evolve, the platform is expected to provide a foundation for new products, services and experiences across the airline’s wider ecosystem.
