Virgin Atlantic introduced the first in-flight entertainment system using personal seatback screens.
Virgin Atlantic installed seatback video screens that let passengers choose entertainment independently rather than watching one shared cabin movie. The system was introduced on the airline’s long-haul aircraft during the 1990s and became a defining feature of its premium-focused service.
Earlier aircraft commonly used projector screens or overhead monitors, meaning the entire cabin watched the same program at the same time. Personal screens changed the experience by giving travelers more control over films, television, games, and other content.
The exact hardware and availability varied by aircraft and cabin. Modern systems are often touchscreen-based and can also display maps, flight information, and connecting-flight details.