British Airways is set to trial a major change to its in-flight entertainment system that could reshape the way passengers watch films and TV shows at 35,000 feet, but not everyone is on board. The airline has announced a new ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) trial, allowing passengers to stream content directly to their phones, tablets, or laptops instead of relying solely on the traditional seat-back screens.
The trial is expected to launch later this month on selected long-haul flights departing from London Heathrow. Specifically, the BYOD feature will be tested on Airbus A380, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-200. Travellers on these flights will be able to connect to the plane’s onboard Wi-Fi to stream the same entertainment available via the seat-back screens, completely free of charge.
The move aims to improve passenger experience, particularly for those who have dealt with malfunctioning screens on long journeys.
While British Airways confirmed that the existing seat-back screens will remain in place during the trial, the change is stirring up debate among frequent flyers.
Some passengers have welcomed the update, praising the flexibility and familiarity of using their own devices.
Others, however, are concerned about the potential downsides: battery drain, forgotten chargers, smaller screens, and the possibility of unreliable Wi-Fi.
Travel expert Clive Wratten told The Telegraph that the success of BYOD depends heavily on onboard tech infrastructure. “Every seat must have reliable power and Wi-Fi,” he said. “Without that, this could become more frustrating than convenient.”
While British Airways insists the change is a trial, with no current plans to phase out seat-back screens, other airlines have already gone further.
American Airlines, Qantas, and Etihad have started removing in-seat entertainment from some aircraft to cut costs and reduce weight.
In contrast, rival carrier Virgin Atlantic is taking a different route. It recently announced it will become the first UK airline to offer free, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi on all flights, powered by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.
The rollout will begin in 2026 and be completed by 2027.
For now, British Airways’ BYOD trial only applies to select long-haul routes, so short-haul passengers are still advised to download their entertainment before takeoff.