Airline Magazines: The Ever-Popular In-Flight Entertainment

Even in the technological era, in-flight magazines have played an irreplaceable role. Sitting on an airplane seat, you lose contact from the outside world, sometimes for days. Magazines are amongst the best and most reliable in-flight entertainment.

Magazines are cost-effective and generate higher ROI. Moreover, they are informative. And, since they have a broader reach, they are also a marketing tool. You often come across promotions and deals on airline tickets, hotel, and other travel products.

Before we discuss why in-flight magazines continue to thrive, let’s start with some facts.

Did You Know? Interesting In-flight Magazine Facts

When you book flights from India to the USA the in-flight magazines that you get to surround yourself with has some interesting highlights:

• The first in-flight magazine made its way in 1952.
• The name of the magazine was Clipper Travel. Borrowed from the Boeing 314 Clipper aircraft.
• The 1980s was the golden era for in-flight print media. Some Asian airlines paid thousands of dollars per article.
• In the same decade, Japanese Airlines’ magazine was 300 pages long. They had to remove seats to make room for the magazines.
• The longest-running magazine has been in circulation for over 50 years.

Scope of In-Flight Magazines

Despite technologically-advanced ways to keep the passengers of a flight entertained. An in-flight magazine still serves more purposes than one can imagine on their flights to India.

Entertainment

Earlier, in-flight entertainment options were limited. Backseat magazine was the only thing that came to your rescue. Even today, despite the hi-tech services, the tradition carries on.

As compared to other magazines, in-flight magazines have suffered a lot less. They have managed to retain their audience.

• Keeping yourself occupied while traveling to India, especially long-haul is a challenge. Flying in the economy class of the aircraft does not guarantee facilities such as Wi-Fi, movies, etc. However, you will always find a magazine ready to be read.
• Even if the technology is available, it is not still reliable. Hence, magazines save the day again!

Information

Business-class travelers, in particular, are more inclined towards such magazines. Moreover, magazines are as informative as entertaining. They give you insights, not only about the travel industry but much more.

• The information may also include details about the airline’s fleet, products, and services.
• Also, you will find interesting articles from across the globe. A passenger can gain information about their intended destination.
• By going through advertisements, passengers can find out about travel deals.

Marketing

Magazines are a reliable marketing instrument. So much so, that some flights from USA to India have upgraded their magazines to be accessed digitally. It is possible through the application of tablet computers and other devices.

• Magazines are a tremendous source of business. They have always been used as a marketing tool to generate leads and sales. Even in the technological era.
• For instance, in the year 2009, SkyMall, an in-flight magazine, made a revenue of 130 million dollars.
• Magazines are much more cost-effective and durable than other in-flight leisure services.
• They reach out to millions of passengers each day.

What Makes In-flight Media so Effective?

Have you ever wondered what makes in-flight reading material different from other magazines and in-flight entertainment options?

Many things make in-flight magazines stand-out. Some of the major ones are:

1. Captive Audience: The readers being passengers, or people stuck in a tin can, are much more likely to pick up an in-flight magazine.

Compare this with waiting at an airport lounge, or a doctor’s clinic. Print media is available at other places, but it is often overlooked

2. Uncompromised Quality: In-flight magazines compete with smartphones, the internet, video games, etc.  Thus, it only features well-researched and carefully crafted reading material and visuals.
3. Global Reach: Moreover, such magazines have a global reach. Even if the aircraft functions within the same destinations, the passengers are from different parts of the world.
4. Tangibility: Passengers may carry the magazines with them beyond the aircraft. Unlike other in-flight sources of entertainment. Hence, tangibility is a favorable aspect of print media.
5. Extended Shelf–Life: In-flight magazines are in circulation for longer. Also, they are generally monthly editions.

Some Popular Airline Magazines

Here are some of the top airline magazines that you must check out:

1. En Route

• Published by: Spafax
• Airline: Air Canada

The popular broadcasting channel CNN named En Route the world’s best in-flight magazine in 2012. Apart from English, the magazine content is published in French as well. And, the content departs from the usual general interest topics and focuses only on travel.

2. Open Skies

• Published by: Motivate Publishing
• Airline: Emirates

Open Skies magazine is read by millions of passengers each day in the economy, business, and first-class. The topics focus on destination travel. However, issues like technology, business, culture, lifestyle, entertainment, and others are also covered.

3. KiaOra

• Published by: Bauer Media
• Airline: Air New Zealand

Just like most airline magazines, KiaOra features what New Zealand has to offer. It covers a great variety of topics like art, food, business, etc. The travel stories and articles are quite impressive, as well.

4. Indwe

• Published by: TJT Media
• Airline: SA Express

Indwe, meaning ‘Blue Crane’ in isiXhosa language, is a business lifestyle magazine. It highlights the diverse culture and tourist destinations of South Africa. It also emphasizes the social and environmental issues.

5. Smile

• Published by: Ink Global
• Airline: Cebu Pacific Air

Smile includes celebrity destination guides, interviews, travel features, and more. There are some interesting reads, as well as expert travel advice.

So, what is your favorite in-flight entertainment choice? Magazines are an evergreen source of amusement for flight passengers. And, just like its glorious past, the future looks promising too!