Global Eagle and SkyLights Team to Bring Pioneering Immersive Entertainment to Premium Airline Passengers

05 Apr, 2017 – Global Eagle and SkyLights today announced a strategic relationship to advance commercialization of video headset technology and immersive inflight entertainment (IFE) solutions.

Global Eagle, through its EIM distribution subsidiary, will provide SkyLights with award-winning content from its extensive, fully licensed film catalogue. The two companies will also explore current and next-generation virtual reality (VR) opportunities for IFE.

Global Eagle is the world’s foremost supplier of satellite connectivity and content for the commercial aviation industry. SkyLights is an innovative enterprise that has developed a signature VR headset-based, entertainment solution for premium passengers. It enables them to enjoy 2D and 3D films, series or 180-degree content on a wide-angled cinema-style screen.

Earlier this year, the SkyLights Bravo Theater system was deployed on an exclusive fleet of private jets and France’s XL Airways fleet of A330-300 and A330-200 aircraft. Early feedback from passengers revealed a 90 percent recommendation rate with average usage times of four hours per passenger.

“This is a total ‘win-win’ proposition for all parties,” said Alexis Steinman, Global Eagle’s senior vice president for digital media solutions. “SkyLights gains access to a broad portfolio of fully licensed films, including early-window, award-winning movies from our EIM portfolio. Global Eagle will also work collaboratively with SkyLights to bring to market immersive entertainment solutions that will give airline customers a competitive edge among premium and business passengers.”

“This strategic partnership brings together our expertise in video headset technology and immersive media, and Global Eagle’s unmatched connectivity and content solutions in the global IFE market,” said David Dicko, SkyLights’ CEO. “This will accelerate market penetration and help airlines offer their premium passengers an innovative IFE experience never before possible.”