US carrier Delta Air Lines has confirmed it will be rolling out a more accessible flight map for its in-flight entertainment systems. The airline confirmed today that most of its 165,000 seatback screens will be getting the upgraded flight maps.
Maps, maps, maps
The SkyTeam Alliance carrier claims to have the most seatback screens in the industry, and now they will have even more features. The new flight map will continue to provide the features customers already enjoy while prioritizing accessibility to ensure that even more customers are empowered to experience the flight map effortlessly and independently.
According to the airline, approximately 80% of Delta’s passengers enjoy the curated content on its in-flight entertainment systems each month. The systems already include a high-contrast display and features designed specifically for travelers with low-vision disabilities. The most used feature on the system is not movies, television series, live TV, audio, or games but the in-flight map.
Almost half (45%) of customers engage with the map during their flights. Some travelers have recently begun “rawdogging” flights, where they avoid all distractions with the exception of the inflight map and looking out the window. Other customers use the map feature to mindfully immerse themselves in their journey as they watch the miles go by. For Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director of Customer Experience – In-Flight Entertainment, Delta Studio, and WiFi at Delta, the new flight map demonstrates the airline’s understanding of the importance of making this experience accessible:
“No one better connects the world than Delta.
“To truly fulfill that promise, we must ensure every customer can connect with their journey in a way that enhances their experience and makes them feel valued and cared for. We are proud to be the first airline to launch this technology, setting the standard for inclusive travel experiences across the industry.”
The airline already offers 100% closed captioning on all movies and television series content and has increased audio descriptive content by 40% in the last year.
What has changed about the map?
The carrier’s existing flight map was already built to meet all Americans with Disabilities Act and European Accessibility Act standards, but the airline now seeks to make it even more accessible. The airline sought the input of its Advisory Board on Disability, which presented an early version of the map for hands-on testing and feedback that was instrumental in refining the final design and functionality of the new product.
The new flight map is rolling out to customers now on more than 650 aircraft across the airline’s fleet and includes several new core features:
- High-Contrast Visuals: Bright colors against a dark background or grayscale rendering ensures maximum visibility and reduced eye strain.
- Color Blind Palette: The new system incorporates the use of patterns and textures in addition to colors to distinguish different areas and elements on the map.
- Large Text & Icons: All text and iconography are now rendered at larger sizes, eliminating the need to squint or strain to make out details.
- Streamlined Information: Clearly labeled map features, such as countries, borders, and major cities, are prioritized to reduce clutter and enhance readability.
- Zoom & Pan Controls: Users can zoom in or out and pan around the map view to adjust to their preferred perspective and visual needs.
- Voice Narration (coming soon): The airline is still developing a voice narration feature that will leverage AI and flight data to provide audio updates on arrival times, points of interest, and more.
Working with inflight map provider FlightPath3D, the airline looked to listen, learn, and innovate based on the real experiences of those most affected by inclusive design efforts. Thomas Panek, Chair of Delta’s Advisory Board on Disability and President of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, noted how exciting the updates are for the community:
“It’s exciting as a visually impaired person that Delta is making the flight map more accessible for low-vision users.
“By making flight maps more accessible to low-vision users, Delta is making the experience better for all travelers.”
The announcement follows the news that Delta is installing its Sync feature in even more of its planes and adding BBC News to the lineup of available live TV channels.
Source: Simple Flying
