British Airways has begun trialing a Bring‑Your‑Own‑Device (BYOD) streaming service on select long‑haul aircraft—including Airbus A380s, Boeing 787‑9s with Wi‑Fi, and older Boeing 777‑200s—starting July 2025, allowing passengers to access BA’s existing entertainment library on personal devices via onboard Wi‑Fi. The free service acts as a backup when seatback screens fail and could signal a shift toward lighter, less maintenance‑heavy inflight entertainment setups.
However, critics point out that its value is limited on planes that already have high-resolution touchscreens and that BA is not extending the trial to short- and medium‑haul flights, where BYOD could offer a competitive advantage. Customer feedback during the trial will help BA decide whether to phase out seatback screens or enhance the streaming experience with advanced features like Bluetooth support or cross‑flight continuity.
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