Netflix Wants To Make It Easier To Stream On Flights

Netflix has set a goal for 2018 — call it an early New Year’s resolution. The company plans to make it easier for customers to stream on their phones or tablets without having high-quality Wi-Fi in hopes that more airlines will partner with the streaming service, Mashable.com reports.

This means that in addition to any in-flight entertainment your airline offers, you could easily stream your favorite Netflix show during your flight.

Variety reports that if Netflix makes it easier to stream from your phone, airline carriers can offer more affordable or even free Wi-Fi to its customers and save the airline money in the process. It’s a win-win-win all the way around — if airlines are willing to hop on board the idea, that is.

Back in 2015, Netflix partnered with Virgin America to offer free Wi-Fi to Netflix subscribers, TheVerge.com explained. Since then, the company started similar services with Aeromexico, Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Continuing to work with airlines to offer accessible in-flight streaming seems to be the next logical step, given the public’s constant demand for entertainment via the Internet.

Those who have been lucky enough to try the service via airlines such as Virgin America have nothing but great things to say about it.

“It’s the best thing to happen to air travel,” one Twitter user wrote. “Four hour flight literally flew by.”

https://twitter.com/FallonKristyne/status/812165038299414528

And for those just hearing the news that Netflix plans to expand the roster of airlines that provide this service, well, let’s just say they can’t wait to press the “continue watching” button.

https://twitter.com/FashionablyYung/status/912737732602023936

Virgin America saw signing this Netflix deal as inevitable. “As Wi-Fi becomes more ubiquitous, it’s going to be increasingly possible for members to enjoy Netflix wherever they want,” Bill Holmes, Netflix’s global head of business development, told Variety. “We’re delighted to partner with Virgin America to extend the joy of Netflix to our members at 35,000 feet.”

Here’s hoping more airlines start to feel the same way! Then, your four-hour flight won’t have to interrupt your binge-watching. Finally.