Changes Coming to Air Canada’s Inflight Music Entertainment

For the longest time, I hosted a couple of music channels on Air Canada’s IFE (inflight entertainment system), something I really, really enjoyed.  People still ask me about those programs. But when XM offer the airline–or, more specifically, Spafax, Air Canada’s content marketing agency and the people in charge of the airlines IFE material–a better deal, all the hosts of all the programs were given a terse buh-bye.

I wasn’t terribly upset by this, given that it had been a good run. I was pleased to have had the chance.  And in the dozen or so years since, XM (now SiriusXM) has been provided playlists and albums for people on AC aircraft worldwide.

However, that deal has come to an end. Stingray Digital is now the main music partner.  I quote:

“As a Canadian company, we are thrilled to mark our debut in the in-flight entertainment industry with Air Canada, the largest Canadian airline,” said Eric Boyko, President and CEO of Stingray. “In addition to providing Air Canada customers with the highest quality music content in flight, our partnership includes the promotion of great Canadian artists and musicians.”

Since February 2015, Air Canada customers have had access, free-on-demand, to the expertly curated music content that has contributed Stingray’s stellar global reputation, including:

· Themed music playlists

· Genre-based music playlists

· Music Video playlists

· Concert videos and music documentaries

Hey, Stingray! Hey, Spafax! I fly a lot, so I know a thing or two about the current situation with IFE worldwide. What’s say you and me have a meeting about what we might do about documentaries? Can you imagine having The Ongoing History of New Music heard on your aircraft? People would LOVE it! Call me, okay? Or at least let me call you.