Market report highlights growth targets for inflight entertainment and connectivity, names RTX among key vendors

A market report published Aug. 19, 2026 projects expanding demand for commercial aircraft inflight entertainment and connectivity systems, citing airline fleet growth in Asia-Pacific and a shift toward both new aircraft installs and upgrades to existing cabins. The forecast, covering 2026 through 2031, lists a broad set of aircraft- and cabin-technology suppliers, including RTX.

The report frames opportunity around inflight “entertainment and connectivity” systems that support passenger streaming and in-flight internet experiences, often delivered through onboard servers and cabin access points. It also emphasizes how wireless connectivity and the widespread use of personal devices can drive upgrades, including so-called BYOD, or “bring your own device,” where passengers rely on their own phones, tablets, and laptops rather than dedicated onboard screens.

Beyond passenger expectations, the forecast highlights how airline fleet planning can translate into hardware linefits, meaning equipment installed during aircraft production or early in the aircraft lifecycle rather than retrofitted years later. It specifically points to narrowbody aircraft and regional jets as areas where inflight connectivity and entertainment installs can grow, reflecting how many carriers rely on these platforms for high-frequency routes.

For already-fielded aircraft, the report also flags premium cabin retrofits as a continuing demand source. Retrofits are cabin upgrade programs where airlines install or replace connectivity and entertainment equipment to improve product differentiation, especially in premium classes where willingness to pay for onboard services may be higher.

The announcement distributed by Yahoo Finance presents the report as featuring multiple industry players, naming Panasonic, Thales Group, Safran, RTX, Burrana, Astronics Corporation, and others. RTX is singled out among suppliers that provide technologies used by airlines and aircraft manufacturers to deliver inflight systems, though the release does not break out RTX-specific revenue, contract wins, or delivery timelines.

The distribution also describes the market opportunity as tied to adoption of wireless connectivity and evolving in-flight consumer behaviors, which can influence how airlines design cabin networks and manage onboard services. However, the release does not provide granular detail on expected market size, regional shares, pricing, or adoption rates, leaving readers to focus on the demand drivers rather than hard performance metrics.

Company or sector context is important here because inflight connectivity and entertainment has become an increasingly competitive layer of the airline customer experience. As airlines aim to reduce passenger friction and monetize onboard services, they typically weigh system performance, installation and retrofit disruption, and the cost of operating connectivity services. The report’s emphasis on linefits and retrofits suggests airlines may be balancing longer-term aircraft strategy with near-term cabin upgrades.

Still, the announcement does not disclose what assumptions the forecast uses, what sources it relies on for aircraft delivery plans, or whether it accounts for changes in connectivity networks and regulatory environments by country. It also does not specify whether RTX’s inclusion reflects product categories, geographic coverage, or assessed participation in specific program types, such as new aircraft installs versus cabin upgrades.