The top movies and TV shows of Qantas’ inflight entertainment are in for 2014, with the airline’s passengers gravitating towards some familiar favourites to stay amused on domestic hops and international jaunts.
Winning the crown as the most-watched premiere movie of the year is the sci-fi film Divergent, in which the world is divided into factions based on virtues, with the ordinary plotting to destroy the extraordinary.
The slightly more conventional Audrey Hepburn flick Breakfast at Tiffany’s came in first place as the most popular Oscar-winning classic with Qantas passengers, with ‘Premiere’ and ‘Oscar Classics’ the winner and runner-up as the most-viewed content categories on board.
“We know what you’re watching – it’s not Big Brother but we absolutely know what you’re watching on board,” said Olivia Wirth, Qantas’ Group Executive Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the unveiling of Qantas’ new inflight entertainment system.
“We know that blockbusters and new releases are the most popular, so that’s why we’ve committed more of them” – with the airline soon to double its library of box office smash hits through its content partnership with Foxtel.
Following Divergent as the most-viewed movies in 2014 are Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the child-friendly The Lego Movie, which also doubles as the most popular family movie in the skies.
Qantas inflight entertainment: the small screen winners
House of Cards taking out the title as the most popular TV drama may come as no surprise, with Australian Business Traveller tipping its far-reaching success back in February.
(And if you’re loading the full second season of House of Cards onto your iPad rather than watching it via Qantas’ own entertainment system, don’t forget to buy it via the Qantas Mall to earn an impressive six frequent flyer points per dollar spent.)
“I like box sets, actually, I’m a binge watcher so I like to go through them all… I’m really bad,” Wirth told Australian Business Traveller.
But defying the trends, she also enjoys “French movies as well… my husband doesn’t like watching them, so it’s an awesome time to watch subtitled movies – that’s my secret passion.”
Overall, children’s programming proved to be the biggest hit in the television space – with Peppa Pig keeping your little ones entertained more than any other show, followed by the comedy and drama categories for business high flyers and older holidaymakers.
Qantas inflight entertainment: the hit tracks of 2014
Modern travellers appear to have rather contemporary tastes, with pop, new releases and rock the three leading music genres being beamed to earbuds in the air.
Topping the Qantas charts in 2014 is Royals by Lorde…
… followed by Tennis Court, another Lorde hit…
… and Katy Perry’s Roar taking out the Bronze:
What takes your fancy at 35,000 feet – a great movie, a little music and TV, or some serious and Wirth-worthy ‘binge watching’? Share your favourites, and any hidden gems you’ve discovered in the comments below!
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
30 May 2014
Total posts 4
Thank goodness I bring my own entertainment on-board.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
'Royals' is an interesting choice. I suppose there's nothing quite like being stuck in Economy, listening to a song that goes, 'That kind of luxe just ain't for us.'
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
How can they know what we are watching or listening to.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
“We know what you’re watching – it’s not Big Brother but we absolutely know what you’re watching on board,”
Does Qantas merely record an instance of viewing, at the point of pressing the "play" button or does it record an entry when the entire movie has been played?
I'm wondering how they account for passengers who try to give these new films a shot but find it utterly unbearable after the first 15-20mins and turn off/change channels. These types of viewing should not bias the data collected.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
"We know what you’re watching – it’s not Big Brother but we absolutely know what you’re watching on board"
No, that does not sound creepy at all, Olivia Wirth.
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