Delta’s iPad app now allows passengers to stream movies & TV shows during flights

Delta Air Lines has updated its Fly Delta iPad app to allow passengers to stream movies and TV shows from the onboard wifi network. Using wifi to stream movies to iPads was first trialled back in 2011 by Qantas, followed by Hawaiian Airlines almost a year ago and introduced as a standard service by United back in May.

The Delta Studio service provides all streaming content free of charge to international, First Class and Economy Comfort passengers, while domestic Economy customers get some content free with ‘premium content’ being chargeable … 

The app also allows you to do a whole bunch of other stuff, including browsing destination guides, trip-planning, booking flights, viewing flight maps and the ‘Glass Bottom Jet’ – “an amazing view of what you’re flying over through photos, landmark information and social content from your friends.”

The FAA changed its rules on personal electronic devices last year, allowing them to be used during all phases of flight, with Europe’s EASA following suit soon afterwards.

iPads have been seen on airline flight decks for some time now, as airlines use them to replace the mass of paperwork pilots have to have access to during a flight, following FAA approval. American Airlines as the first commercial airline to fully transition from paper to iPads in all its aircraft.

Jet Blue took things a step further by allowing pilots to receive updated weather reports and company documents on their iPads in-flight. And there’s even a Boeing iPad app to assist aircraft mechanics in carrying out maintenance procedure.