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How to Make the Most of Complimentary Entertainment During Your Flight

Flying doesn’t have to be expensive! Take full advantage of complimentary inflight entertainment, from movies to music, without spending extra on Wi-Fi or upgrades.
Sabitha GR March 14, 2025
A father and his young son are sitting together on an airplane
Take advantage of complimentary movies, TV shows, and music airlines provide to make your journey enjoyable without extra cost! Picture: Envato

Flying can be an expensive experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend extra money to stay entertained. Many airlines offer complimentary inflight entertainment, providing passengers with access to movies, TV shows, music, and more. However, not everyone takes full advantage of these free services, often missing out on opportunities to save money while enjoying their journey. By planning ahead and making a few smart choices, you can get the most out of your airline’s free entertainment options without spending extra on Wi-Fi, premium content, or unnecessary accessories. Here’s how you can enjoy your flight without adding to your expenses.

Prepare in Advance for the Best Inflight Entertainment Experience

Maximizing your enjoyment of inflight entertainment starts before you even board the plane. A little preparation can save you from unnecessary expenses and make your journey more comfortable. Checking the airline’s entertainment offerings and carrying essential accessories will help you avoid last-minute inconveniences and ensure you get the most out of the free services available.

Check the Airline’s Website or App Before Your Flight

Many airlines provide a selection of free movies, TV shows, and music, but passengers often miss out simply because they don’t check in advance. Visiting the airline’s website or app before your flight allows you to see what entertainment options are available and plan accordingly. This way, you won’t need to rely on paid Wi-Fi or premium content if the free selection meets your needs.

Emirates, known for its world-class inflight entertainment system ICE, offers passengers a vast selection of movies, TV shows, and music at no extra cost. Travellers can enjoy award-winning content across various genres, making their journey more enjoyable without additional spending. To save even more, Emirates voucher codes can help passengers get discounts on flights, baggage fees, and other services. Checking for available promo codes before booking can lead to great savings, making luxury travel with Emirates more budget-friendly.

In addition, some airlines require passengers to use their official apps to access inflight entertainment. Downloading the app ahead of time ensures you won’t run into connectivity issues once you’re onboard. Taking a few minutes to prepare before your trip helps you avoid unnecessary spending while making sure you have entertainment options that match your preferences.

Bring Essential Accessories for a Better Experience

While airlines provide free entertainment, they often charge extra for accessories such as headphones. Bringing your own wired headphones ensures you can enjoy movies and music without paying for airline-provided options. Since many seatback screens only support wired connections, having the right headphones prevents the frustration of being unable to connect Bluetooth devices.

A headphone splitter is another useful accessory, especially for those travelling with a companion. It allows two people to listen to the same audio from a single device, making shared entertainment easier. A portable stand for your phone or tablet is also a smart addition, as it provides a comfortable viewing angle when using personal device streaming options. These small preparations enhance your inflight experience without adding extra costs.

Accessing Free Onboard Entertainment and Connectivity

Making the most of inflight entertainment and communication starts with a little preparation. Many airlines offer free entertainment and limited Wi-Fi access, but passengers must take specific steps to use these services. Downloading the airline’s app before boarding and knowing when free Wi-Fi is available can prevent unnecessary spending. A few smart choices can help you stay entertained and connected without extra costs.

Download the Airline’s App Before Boarding

Some airlines require passengers to use their mobile apps to access free inflight entertainment, especially on flights that lack seatback screens. If you don’t have the app installed before take-off, you may not be able to watch movies, listen to music, or access other complimentary content. Downloading the app beforehand ensures a smooth experience without needing to purchase Wi-Fi.

Qatar Airways offers passengers an extensive inflight entertainment system through Oryx One, featuring a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and music at no extra cost. By downloading the Qatar Airways app before boarding, travellers can easily access these entertainment options without interruptions. To make the journey even more budget-friendly, passengers can also use Qatar Airways promo codes to save on flights, allowing them to enjoy premium services—including quality inflight entertainment—at a lower cost.

Wi-Fi availability during flights is often limited, making it difficult to download apps once onboard. Many airlines also require passengers to sign in or register before using their entertainment platforms. Completing these steps in advance prevents frustration and guarantees access to free content without paying for the internet. Taking a few minutes to prepare before departure saves both time and money.

A man using his smartphone.
Pre-saving movies, audiobooks, and podcasts allows you to stay entertained throughout your journey! Picture: Envato

Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi Where Available

Not all airlines provide free Wi-Fi, but some offer limited connectivity for essential tasks. Knowing what is available on your flight can help you avoid paying for unnecessary internet packages. Some flights allow passengers to use select services without a Wi-Fi plan, making it easier to stay connected.

  • Messaging Services:

    Some airlines allow free access to messaging apps. This lets you send and receive texts without buying an internet plan.

  • Airline Website Access:

    Many airlines provide free access to their own websites. You can check flight details, baggage policies, and connection information without using paid Wi-Fi.

  • Frequent Flyer Benefits:

    Some loyalty programs offer free Wi-Fi to members. If you are part of an airline’s rewards program, check if you qualify for complimentary internet.

Understanding these options ensures you don’t pay for services you can access for free. Checking Wi-Fi policies before your flight can help you plan accordingly, saving money while staying connected.

Upgrade Your Flight with Smart Viewing Strategies

Making small adjustments before and during your flight can significantly improve your entertainment experience. Pre-saving content ensures you have access to your favourite media without depending on the airline’s selection. Simple device settings can also enhance viewing comfort, reducing strain during long flights. With these strategies, you can enjoy your journey without unnecessary expenses.

Save Movies, Podcasts, and Audiobooks Before Your Flight

Airlines may offer free entertainment, but their selection is often limited. Saving movies, audiobooks, or podcasts before your trip guarantees you have content you enjoy. Whether you prefer thrillers, comedies, or educational material, having offline content lets you watch or listen without worrying about inflight restrictions.

Pre-saved content also eliminates the need for Wi-Fi, saving you from buying expensive internet packages just to stream. Many streaming platforms allow users to store content offline, making it easy to prepare before departure. Taking advantage of this feature ensures a seamless entertainment experience, even if your airline’s selection doesn’t match your interests.

Adjust Settings for a Better Viewing Experience

Optimizing your device’s display settings can make inflight entertainment more comfortable. Lowering screen brightness helps conserve battery life, especially on longer flights. Enabling subtitles allows you to follow dialogues clearly, even when background noise makes it difficult to hear.

Using night mode or blue light filters reduces eye strain, making it easier to watch for extended periods. Adjusting audio settings can also improve clarity, ensuring you get the best experience without needing extra accessories. These small changes enhance your viewing experience without any additional costs.

Enjoy a More Engaging and Cost-Free Flight Experience

Flights can feel long, but staying entertained doesn’t have to cost extra. Many airlines offer free content that goes beyond movies and TV shows, providing educational and relaxation options. Parents can also use available kid-friendly content to keep children engaged throughout the journey. By making smart choices, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and enjoy a stress-free flight.

A young girl is sitting by the aeroplane window
Bring your own headphones and avoid unnecessary expenses! Picture: Envato

Make Use of Free Educational and Relaxation Content

Inflight entertainment includes more than just mainstream entertainment. Many airlines offer educational content like TED Talks, documentaries, and language-learning programs. Taking advantage of these options can make your flight productive while expanding your knowledge on various topics.

Relaxation content, such as meditation music or guided breathing exercises, is also available on some flights. These features help passengers reduce stress, making long flights more comfortable. Choosing these free options ensures a relaxing journey without spending on additional entertainment.

Keep Kids Entertained Without Extra Expenses

Travelling with children can be challenging, but airlines often provide kid-friendly content for free. Many flights include a section dedicated to children’s programming featuring animated movies, interactive games, and educational shows. These options help keep kids engaged without additional purchases.

Parents can also prepare offline entertainment before the flight. Free printable activity sheets and educational apps work well to keep children occupied. Using these alternatives prevents unnecessary spending on inflight toys or paid entertainment services.

Avoid Paying for Unnecessary Extras

Airlines frequently offer premium Wi-Fi, seatback rentals, and exclusive content for a fee. However, passengers can avoid these costs by using the complimentary services provided. Making full use of available inflight entertainment eliminates the need to pay for additional perks.

Bringing personal accessories like headphones and a device stand can further reduce costs. Some airlines charge for basic items that passengers can easily bring from home. A little preparation ensures a comfortable flight without unnecessary expenses.