Airline Retail Conference: Media inMotion Debuts Apple Watch App for Monarch Airlines
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APEX Insight: Media inMotion’s IFE-interfacing Apple Watch app for Monarch Airlines utilizes wearable technology for an integrative, second-screen entertainment experience.
The second-screen phenomenon is gaining momentum in the aircraft cabin. It’s a standard part of modern-mobile-device user behavior and the premium in-flight entertainment (IFE) offering now in first and business-class cabins.
Some of the world’s top full-service airlines, like Qatar Airways with its latest A350 (IFE by Thales), have now introduced this concept in the economy-class cabin with a small monitor in the IFE control handset. Now, thanks to some insightful innovation and Apple’s popular new smartwatch, this multi-screen experience is possible without the installation of a complex and expensive embedded IFE system.
Today, at the Airline Retail Conference (ARC) in London, Media inMotion announced that it’s been developing an IFE interfacing Apple Watch app with customer Monarch Airlines.
“Monarch is a forward-looking airline that’s keen to provide a unique and superior passenger experience by taking advantage of new technologies, so we’re thrilled to be developing this app together.” – Martin Cunnison, Media inMotion.
“In April, Apple launched its first watch and 2.3 million units sold in the first week. There are already 3,000 apps available for it, and analysts predict that adoption is going to take an even steeper curve upwards,” says Martin Cunnison, CEO of Media inMotion. “It’s only a matter of time before wearable technology is ubiquitous, so it makes perfect sense that we’re already working on this. Monarch is a forward-looking airline that’s keen to provide a unique and superior passenger experience by taking advantage of new technologies, so we’re thrilled to be developing this app together.”
Although the app is still in its final phases of release, passengers with the Apple Watch and the app downloaded (for free of course) prior to the flight, will be able to sync up with Monarch’s MPlayer wireless IFE system – also powered by Media inMotion – for the ability to do a number of things that complement the streaming IFE experience already onboard.
“Users of the watch app will be able to browse and order food, beverages and [view the] duty–free selection or check their flight status and weather conditions at their destination, with a quick glance at their Apple Watch,” explains Cunnison. “In the future we want to enable smart payment tools like Apple Pay, push notifications and other exciting features suitable for smart watches. The Apple Watch app opens a window to engage an otherwise closed consumer.”
For more on airlines adapting Apple Watch apps read “Telling More Than Time: Flight Notifications From Your Wrist.”