Singapore Airlines has introduced a mobile application that offers business travellers greater control over their inflight entertainment (IFE) experience – even before boarding the aircraft.

The Companion app, which was developed for Singapore Airlines by MTT in conjunction with Panasonic Avionics, enables customers to review the IFE video and audio content that will be available on their flight, create pre-selected favourites lists, and control the seat-back IFE system, all using their personal electronic devices. To make use of the app, customers can install the SingaporeAir tablet application on their device prior to the aircraft’s departure. Once on board, they can link their device to KrisWorld – the airline’s award-winning IFE system – using the aircraft’s in-flight wifi network, and enjoy movies, TV shows or music from their list of favourites or from the entire media list via the seat monitor.

Linking the app to the IFE system also enables the personal device to be used as a remote control, to pause, play, or skip through media content. SIA will be the first airline in the world to enable this on a Panasonic in-flight entertainment system. Customers will be able to multi-task, thereby maximising their experience of KrisWorld, such as by browsing through the index of KrisWorld content on their device while watching a movie showing on the seat monitor. Customers can even access real-time information on the flight progress and flight path without interrupting their movie viewing.

“With the proliferation of personal mobile devices and the arrival of our new Airbus A350 fleet, this latest innovation will help enhance the in-flight entertainment experience for our customers,” says Singapore Airlines senior vice president product and services Tan Pee Teck. “It offers more information and greater control both on the ground and in-flight, and we are excited to be the first airline in the world to offer such an application to our customers.”

Current features of the companion app will initially be available on the Airline’s new fleet of Airbus A350-900s, with plans to progressively roll it out to the Boeing 777-300ERs and other aircraft in future. The app is now available on iOS and Android tablets, with availability on iOS and Android mobile phones in the second quarter of 2016. www.singaporeair.com