---
title: "What is In-flight entertainment? | Benefit Systems"
description: "In-flight entertainment is the onboard entertainment offer, delivered either through seatback screens or streamed to a passenger's own device."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is In-flight entertainment?

In-flight entertainment is the onboard entertainment offer, delivered either through seatback screens or streamed to a passenger’s own device.

Also called: IFE.

## How it works #

Whether screens are fitted depends on the aircraft type and cabin configuration rather than on the airline as a whole, the same carrier flies the same route both ways. Anyone who depends on it checks the aircraft type and seat map instead of the marketing page. Streaming requires your own device, a holder and a charged battery.

## Not to be confused with #

In-flight entertainment is not the same as onboard Wi-Fi: one runs from the aircraft server without internet, the other is a paid data connection.

## In German #

The German term is Bordunterhaltung. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/bordunterhaltung)

## Related terms #

- [Hard product and soft product](/en/glossary/hard-and-soft-product): Hard product means the physical fittings of an aircraft or hotel, while soft product means the service, catering and staff experience.
- [Aircraft type](/en/glossary/aircraft-type): Aircraft type is the model operating a flight, and it determines seat layout, cabin fit and therefore what the journey is actually like.
- [Cabin class](/en/glossary/cabin-class): Cabin class is the physical section of an aircraft, economy, premium economy, business or first, each with its own seating and service.

## Articles that use this term #

- [How do you find out which aircraft you’ll get?](/en/knowledge/finding-your-aircraft)
- [What does “business class” actually mean?](/en/knowledge/what-business-class-means)
- [Why seat pitch matters more than the cabin name](/en/knowledge/seat-pitch)