Air Astana partners with Stellar Entertainment to enhance IFE with “an engaging, culturally rich journey onboard”

Air Astana has partnered with Stellar Entertainment to enhance the inflight entertainment experience. They are working closely to provide a fresh, culturally rich selection of entertainment, custom-tailored for both short-haul and long-haul flights. This collaboration introduces passengers to the heritage of Kazakhstan, offering a unique inflight experience beyond traditional content.

As Air Astana’s Content Service Provider (CSP), Stellar Entertainment delivers comprehensive IFE services, including content curation, licensing, encoding, metadata, KCTV inflight magazine and IFE guide design and updates in Kazakh, Russian, and English, and dedicated account management.

Air Astana’s vision for inflight entertainment is bold and inspiring, reflecting its unwavering commitment to celebrating Kazakhstan’s unique identity. The content curation strategy is designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the nation, offering passengers a truly immersive experience.

“We’re pleased to partner with Stellar Entertainment to deliver a world-class inflight entertainment experience with the spirit of Kazakhstan at its core,” said Zhamilya Jaxybekova, IFE Manager, Air Astana. “Through their expertise and extensive industry relationships, we can bring the stories and sounds of our country to a global audience, offering passengers an engaging and culturally rich journey onboard. This partnership reinforces our mission to be a cultural ambassador for Kazakhstan.”

Key highlights of Air Astana’s entertainment approach include:

• Championing Kazakh cinema – a cornerstone of Air Astana’s entertainment strategy is its dedication to supporting Kazakhstan’s burgeoning film industry. The airline features a curated selection of recent local movie releases, spotlighting the talents of both emerging and established Kazakh filmmakers.
• Russian-dubbed content – recognising its predominantly Russian-speaking passenger base, Air Astana ensures inclusivity by offering Russian dubs for the majority of its content. Many films and TV shows are dubbed in Russian for the first time, specifically for Air Astana, expanding accessibility and engagement for a wider audience.
• Spotlight on timeless cinema – starting in February 2025, the airline’s ‘Spotlight’ category will bring classic films to the inflight line-up. This collection goes beyond Hollywood blockbusters, offering a journey through timeless classics from around the globe.
• Content adapted for accessibility – Air Astana goes a step further in inclusivity by offering a dedicated section called ‘Accessibility’ within its inflight entertainment system. This section is specifically designed for customers with hearing impairments and visually impaired passengers.

“We are excited to partner with Air Astana to enhance their inflight entertainment offerings and deliver exceptional experiences to their diverse and growing passenger base,” said Daniel Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer, Stellar Entertainment. “This month, travellers can enjoy early access to the critically acclaimed Lee, starring Kate Winslet, and we look forward to collaborating on more unique and engaging content initiatives in the months ahead.”

Using advanced tools like the Stellar IFE Portal and pixL™ platform, Stellar streamlines content logistics, boosts operational efficiency, and offers real-time tracking for content performance and budgets, all while simplifying IFE management for clients.

“Partnering with Air Astana is an incredible opportunity to combine our global expertise with a localised focus, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Kazakhstan,” said Sam Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Stellar Entertainment. “We’re proud to be part of Air Astana’s journey as they expand their network and increase their presence across Central Asia, South and East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.”

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