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Although Bluetooth has existed since 1998, the year 2016 was a particular game-changer for the wireless connectivity solution.

That&) to stream audio from the in-flight entertainment system (e.g. video, audio, and gaming); and 2) to use a wireless device to control the IFE system (e.g. play/pause). This is an attractive concept to airline passengers, particularly as they look for ways to use their devices more and aircraft-provided surfaces less when interacting with in-flight content.

ҹɫÊÓƵ Avionics’  on the airlines’ United Next revamp shows that there is an appetite in the industry to go wireless. Saudi Arabian Airlines also recently signed on with ҹɫÊÓƵ to bring Bluetooth to their new Airbus cabins.

However, it’s also true that an airplane full of people simultaneously using Bluetooth poses particular and persistent challenges. Chief among them is interference, due to a surplus of overlapping connections. The number of passengers isn’t the only intervening factor, either. Crew and passenger Wi-Fi systems, microwaves in the galley, and reflective surfaces within the aircraft cabin also play a role in the integrity of Bluetooth connections. As well, some OEM aircraft configurations restrict the number of available Bluetooth channels. However, ҹɫÊÓƵ Avionics’ IFE Bluetooth solution uses a unique approach in which emitted Bluetooth signal levels are optimized for each passenger’s personal space. At the same time, we are continuing our research to reduce the likelihood of interference and cross-connections between seats. Airlines considering integrating aircraft-wide Bluetooth service into their passenger experiences may have unique opportunities for presenting the service to customers.

Making Room for Innovation

Although Bluetooth and other wireless devices are becoming more popular, they are not yet totally ubiquitous. In fact, many consumers still prefer wired headphones, both for sound quality and for comfort. In a news story,  that dongles—adapters that allow people to continue using conventional headphones with jack-less devices—are still a very lucrative business; in fact, they’re expected to bring in $25 billion by 2027.

There is clear evidence that one single audio connection standard is far, far off in the distance, and that consumers are willing to figure out a go-between. It gives the industry a bit of breathing room as connectivity leaders work out Bluetooth challenges. Ensuring every passenger can connect in some way could potentially present airlines with new, creative marketing or ancillary sales opportunities – for instance, offering premium-quality headphones/earbuds in the cabin. Taking an open-minded, flexible approach to Bluetooth capabilities can help airlines lay the groundwork for a wireless future while also evolving their offerings alongside passenger trends. At the end of the day, that’s progress.