Amazon and JetBlue partner to bring more video content to flyers
One of the largest untapped opportunities for video content distributors is airplane entertainment. Fliers have become more savvy and more prepared for long flights, but WiFi is still generally slow and still generally costs money. Thus, in-flight entertainment (like Delta Studios) that allows users to bypass these hassles has been game changing.
Today, JetBlue and Amazon announced that unlimited Amazon Video streaming will be available this week on over 150 JetBlue aircraft equipped with free Fly-Fi (thank you, JetBlue!) – just in time for holiday travels.
No, it’s not free. Fliers have to be Amazon Prime members, or, they can sign up on the flight (nice move, Amazon).
For Prime members, the service comes at no additional cost; JetBlue customers can also rent or purchase titles in the Amazon Video store, which include new movies and day-after TV programming.
"Offering streaming movies and shows from Amazon Video over free Fly-Fi changes the game in in-flight entertainment, much like our seatback televisions did 15 years ago," said Jamie Perry, vice president of brand and product development, JetBlue. "And we're not stopping at video; our relationship with Amazon offers opportunities to delight our customers in ways that have never been done before."
As part of the multiyear partnership, “Amazon on JetBlue” is now part of JetBlue’s entertainment hub, “The Hub,” and it will also include activities at JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at JFK airport in New York.
"We're excited to bring our unlimited on-demand entertainment to JetBlue and offer it over a fast and free internet, just in time for the busiest travel season of the year," said Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. "Customers can binge-watch their favorite series on Amazon Video, including the new critically acclaimed Amazon Original The Man in the High Castle, catch-up on the latest movies or stream top rated children's programming, instantly while in the sky."