Which Indian Flights Have TV Screens? Air India, IndiGo & More
If you specifically want a TV screen built into the seat in front of you, Air India is still the Indian airline to look for. Air India’s newer Airbus A350 aircraft have modern personal HD screens, and many of its Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 long-haul aircraft also have traditional seatback inflight entertainment.
For most other Indian airlines, the reality is very different. On a normal IndiGo flight—domestic or international—you should not board expecting a TV screen, onboard movies, Wi-Fi or even a dependable streaming entertainment system. IndiGo advertises Hello 6E entertainment on selected routes and aircraft, but it is not a fleet-wide feature and should be treated as a bonus rather than something you can rely on.
Akasa Air is similar from a passenger’s point of view. Its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft do not have seatback TV screens, and Akasa does not currently promote a widely available movie-and-TV streaming system. Even on international flights lasting several hours, passengers should normally bring their own downloaded entertainment.
This guide explains which Indian flights actually have TV screens, what you realistically get on Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa, and how to prepare before boarding a long flight with no entertainment at all.
Quick answer: Want a real seatback TV? Look first at Air India A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 flights, but verify the aircraft because configurations can vary. On normal IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa and SpiceJet flights, assume there will be no seatback TV and bring your own entertainment.
Table of Contents
- Which Indian Flights Have TV Screens?
- Air India vs IndiGo vs Air India Express vs Akasa
- Does Air India Have TV Screens?
- Air India A350 TV Screens
- Air India 787 and 777 Entertainment
- Do Air India Domestic Flights Have Screens?
- What Is Air India Vista Stream?
- What Happened to Vistara’s TV Screens?
- Does IndiGo Have TV Screens?
- What Is IndiGo Hello 6E?
- Do IndiGo International Flights Have Entertainment?
- What About IndiGo Long-Haul Flights?
- Why Doesn’t IndiGo Install TV Screens?
- Does Air India Express Have TV Screens?
- What Is AirFlix?
- Does Akasa Air Have TV Screens?
- What About Akasa International Flights?
- Does SpiceJet Have TV Screens?
- Does a 4-Hour Flight Have TVs?
- Does DGCA Require Inflight Entertainment?
- Why Do Indian Low-Cost Airlines Skip IFE?
- Can You Watch Netflix on IndiGo or Akasa?
- How to Download Movies Before Flying
- Can You Charge Your Phone Onboard?
- Entertainment Tips for Families and Kids
- How to Know If Your Flight Has a TV
- What If the Aircraft Changes?
- Which Indian Airline Is Best for Entertainment?
- Entertainment Checklist Before Flying
- Related Guides
- Official Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian Flights Have TV Screens?
Air India is the main Indian airline where you can realistically look for a personal TV screen.
Your best chances are on:
- Air India Airbus A350
- Many Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliners
- Many Air India Boeing 777 long-haul aircraft
- Some former Vistara aircraft now flying under Air India
On most flights operated by:
- IndiGo
- Akasa Air
- Air India Express
- SpiceJet
you should not expect a TV screen built into your seat.
| Airline | Seatback TV? | What You Actually Get |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | Yes on many widebodies | Seatback IFE on many A350, 787 and 777 flights; Vista Stream on other aircraft |
| IndiGo standard fleet | No | Normally no built-in entertainment; bring downloaded content |
| IndiGo A321XLR | No seatback screen | Digital IFE streamed to your personal device |
| Air India Express | Generally no | AirFlix wireless entertainment on supported aircraft |
| Akasa Air | No | No movie IFE to rely on; bring downloaded content |
| SpiceJet | Generally no | Bring your own entertainment |
Long flight does not mean TV screen. A four- or five-hour IndiGo or Akasa international flight can still have essentially the same entertainment setup as a short domestic low-cost flight: your own phone or tablet and whatever you downloaded before boarding.
Air India vs IndiGo vs Air India Express vs Akasa
| Feature | Air India | IndiGo | Air India Express | Akasa Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seatback TV screens | Yes on many widebodies | No standard fleet-wide screens | No standard screens | No standard screens |
| Wireless movie streaming | Vista Stream on many aircraft | Hello 6E on selected flights only (1 Aircraft) | AirFlix on supported aircraft | No comparable movie portal currently promoted |
| Can you rely on IFE? | Best chance on A350/787/777 | No | Depends on aircraft/service | No |
| International flight = better IFE? | Often on long-haul widebody | No | Not necessarily | No |
| Best backup | Still download content | Download content | Download content | Download content |
Does Air India Have TV Screens?
Yes, on many Air India aircraft—but not every flight.
Air India is the closest Indian airline to the full-service international experience passengers may know from airlines such as Emirates or Singapore Airlines.
Depending on the aircraft, Air India can provide:
- Personal seatback screens
- Movies
- TV shows
- Music
- Kids’ programming
- Games
- Flight maps
- Wireless entertainment through Vista Stream
Do not assume “Air India” automatically means a TV screen. Aircraft type matters. A widebody international aircraft can offer full seatback entertainment while a narrowbody domestic aircraft may use streaming to your own device instead.
Air India A350: The Best Bet for a Modern TV Screen
Air India’s Airbus A350 is one of the easiest aircraft to choose if a modern personal entertainment screen matters to you.
| Cabin | Published Screen Size |
|---|---|
| Business Class | 21-inch HD touchscreen |
| Premium Economy | 13.3-inch HD touchscreen |
| Economy | 12-inch HD touchscreen |
The A350 entertainment system includes thousands of hours of movies, television and audio programming.
If your priority is a proper TV screen, Air India A350 is one of the safest Indian-airline choices.
Do Air India Boeing 787 and 777 Flights Have TV Screens?
Many do.
Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777 aircraft are commonly used on long-haul international routes and many configurations include built-in seatback entertainment.
However, Air India has a mixed fleet with aircraft from different eras and configurations.
That means two flights marketed as “Air India Boeing 777” may not necessarily have identical:
- Seats
- Screen sizes
- Charging outlets
- IFE software
- Cabin condition
For 787 or 777 flights, check the exact aircraft configuration rather than relying only on the aircraft name.
Do Air India Domestic Flights Have TV Screens?
Some do, many do not.
Air India occasionally operates widebody aircraft such as the A350 on domestic routes, and those aircraft can retain their full seatback entertainment system.
But an ordinary Air India domestic narrowbody flight should not automatically be expected to have a physical screen.
Instead, many narrowbody aircraft use Air India’s wireless entertainment system called Vista Stream.
What Is Air India Vista Stream?
Vista Stream lets passengers watch entertainment on their own:
- Phone
- Tablet
- Laptop
Air India has expanded Vista Stream across its narrowbody fleet.
The content can include:
- Movies
- Shows
- Music
- Documentaries
- Kids’ programming
- Live flight maps
Important: Wireless inflight entertainment is not the same thing as internet access. Your phone may connect to an onboard Wi-Fi network solely to stream entertainment stored on the aircraft.
What Happened to Vistara’s TV Screens?
Vistara no longer operates as a separate airline.
Its operations were integrated into Air India, so passengers searching for:
- Vistara Boeing 787 entertainment
- Vistara A321neo screens
- Vistara inflight entertainment
should now check the corresponding Air India flight and aircraft.
Old advice telling you to “book Vistara for better entertainment” is outdated. The aircraft may still exist, but it now operates within Air India.
Does IndiGo Have TV Screens?
For the overwhelming majority of IndiGo flights, no. IndiGo's standard A320, A321neo and ATR aircraft do not have personal seatback TV screens, and passengers should not expect complimentary built-in movie streaming as part of the normal Economy experience.
That applies to most IndiGo domestic flights and many of its regular international flights to the Gulf and Asia. If you are flying a normal IndiGo sector, the safest assumption is that your own phone or tablet—and whatever you downloaded before boarding—is your inflight entertainment.
Practical IndiGo rule: On a normal A320 or A321neo flight, assume there is no TV and no onboard movie service. Download Netflix, Prime Video, music, podcasts or kids' shows before you leave home.
What About IndiGo Inflight Entertainment?
IndiGo does now have a real digital inflight entertainment product, but it is tied primarily to its new Airbus A321XLR long-haul operation, not the standard fleet most passengers fly every day.
On the A321XLR, IndiGo offers entertainment streamed directly to passengers' personal devices. The airline says the system includes:
- Indian and international movies
- TV shows
- Games
- Anime
- Animated content
- Other digital entertainment
The aircraft also includes device holders and in-seat power, making the bring-your-own-screen setup much more practical on long flights.
This is the important distinction: IndiGo's A321XLR entertainment should not be described as though it is available throughout the airline's enormous domestic and short-haul fleet.
Do IndiGo International Flights Have Entertainment?
Most ordinary IndiGo international flights still should not be assumed to have inflight entertainment.
Flights from India to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Bangkok or Singapore are often operated by the same A320-family aircraft used on domestic routes.
So a four- or five-hour international flight can still have:
- No seatback screen
- No onboard movie library
- No general inflight internet
International status by itself does not change the cabin product.
Where Is IndiGo's New IFE Actually Showing Up?
The clearest current example is IndiGo's A321XLR long-haul fleet. The aircraft entered service in 2026 on routes such as India–Athens, and IndiGo specifically advertises personal-device inflight entertainment as part of the A321XLR experience.
IndiGo has also deployed A321XLR aircraft on selected longer international routes such as Delhi–Istanbul. These aircraft are different from the standard narrowbody experience familiar to most IndiGo passengers.
Don't book a normal IndiGo flight expecting Hello 6E because you saw an inflight-entertainment page on IndiGo's website. Check the actual aircraft. If it is a standard A320 or A321neo, bring your own downloaded entertainment.
What About IndiGo Long-Haul Flights?
This is where some confusion comes from.
IndiGo has operated or marketed selected longer international services using aircraft arrangements that are different from its ordinary A320-family operation.
Some long-haul wet-leased aircraft can provide inflight entertainment, including seatback entertainment depending on the aircraft.
That does not mean your regular IndiGo flight from India to Dubai, Muscat or Singapore has the same setup.
Treat long-haul leased aircraft as an exception. Check the operating aircraft on your exact flight.
Why Doesn’t IndiGo Install TV Screens?
IndiGo is a low-cost airline built around:
- Lower operating complexity
- Quick aircraft turnarounds
- High aircraft utilization
- Simpler cabins
- Lower fares
Traditional seatback entertainment adds:
- Weight
- Wiring
- Screens
- Seat electronics
- Maintenance
- Content systems
- Repair costs
For a carrier where most passengers already have smartphones, tablets and headphones, installing a screen at every seat is not central to the low-cost model.
That is why a limited wireless product such as Hello 6E makes more sense for IndiGo than retrofitting hundreds of aircraft with traditional IFE.
Does Air India Express Have TV Screens?
Generally, no.
Air India Express is a low-cost carrier and does not normally provide traditional seatback television screens.
Its entertainment approach is based around personal devices rather than built-in screens.
What Is Air India Express AirFlix?
Air India Express promotes AirFlix as a complimentary wireless entertainment hub.
On supported flights, passengers can stream available content to their own personal device.
This is still different from a seatback screen.
If a physical TV matters to you, choose Air India rather than Air India Express.
Does Akasa Air Have TV Screens?
No. Akasa Air does not offer traditional seatback TV screens across its standard Boeing 737 MAX operation.
Akasa highlights cabin features such as:
- USB charging on many aircraft
- SkyBeats music during boarding and deplaning
- SkyLights cabin lighting
- Café Akasa food and beverages
Those features may improve the cabin experience, but they are not a movie or television entertainment system.
Akasa entertainment reality: If you want to watch a movie, download it to your phone or tablet before boarding.
Do Akasa International Flights Have Entertainment?
Do not assume so.
Akasa operates international flights using its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and crossing an international border does not change the basic cabin-entertainment product.
A multi-hour flight to the Gulf or elsewhere can still have:
- No seatback screen
- No large onboard movie library
- No general internet service for Netflix
What you may get is USB charging on many aircraft, which at least helps when you are watching your own downloaded content.
Akasa international does not mean Emirates-style entertainment. Plan as though you will be entertaining yourself for the entire flight.
Does SpiceJet Have TV Screens?
SpiceJet generally does not provide traditional seatback TV screens.
Its entertainment offerings have varied over time, so unless your specific flight advertises an onboard service, the safest assumption is:
bring your own movies, shows, music and reading.
Does a 4-Hour Flight Automatically Have TVs?
No.
Flight duration has almost nothing to do with whether an Indian airline installs a screen.
You can have:
- A relatively short Air India A350 sector with a personal HD screen
- A four-hour IndiGo flight with no seatback entertainment
- A multi-hour Akasa international flight where your tablet is your only screen
Do not use flight duration as a proxy for entertainment. Check the airline and aircraft.
Does DGCA Require Indian Airlines to Offer Inflight Entertainment?
No.
Inflight entertainment is a commercial airline amenity, not something every airline is legally required to provide.
DGCA regulation focuses on areas such as:
- Safety
- Aircraft operations
- Crew requirements
- Passenger protection
- Dangerous goods
- Operational standards
An airline is not required to install a TV screen just because a flight lasts four or five hours.
No TV screen is not something an airline normally owes compensation for. It is part of the airline’s product choice.
Why Do Indian Low-Cost Airlines Skip Inflight Entertainment?
Traditional seatback entertainment is expensive and complicated.
It adds:
- Hardware weight
- Extra seat wiring
- Monitors
- Maintenance
- Software systems
- Content licensing
- More equipment that can fail
Low-cost carriers generally prefer:
- Simpler seats
- Fewer onboard systems
- Lower maintenance
- Passengers using their own devices
From the airline’s perspective, most customers already walk onto the plane carrying a better screen than many old seatback systems: a modern smartphone or tablet.
Can You Watch Netflix on IndiGo or Akasa?
Not by relying on onboard internet.
Do not assume that seeing the word “Wi-Fi” in an inflight entertainment system means you have normal internet access.
Hello 6E and similar systems can use an onboard wireless network to deliver stored entertainment without giving passengers unrestricted access to the internet.
Akasa does not currently advertise general onboard internet suitable for Netflix streaming.
If you want Netflix on an Indian low-cost flight, download it before you board.
How to Download Movies Before an Indian Flight
- Choose your movies or shows while you still have Wi-Fi.
- Use the download option in Netflix, Prime Video or your preferred app.
- Download enough content for the full flight.
- Open the Downloads tab before leaving home.
- Check that each episode actually downloaded.
- Charge your phone or tablet.
- Bring headphones.
For a 4-Hour Flight
A reasonable backup is:
- Two movies, or
- Four to six TV episodes, or
- One movie plus podcasts and an e-book
If you are traveling with children, download more than you think you will need.
Can You Charge Your Phone on IndiGo or Akasa Flights?
Akasa Air
Akasa says a majority of its aircraft have USB charging ports for personal devices.
Some newer cabin descriptions refer to USB charging at each seat.
IndiGo
Charging availability depends on aircraft and configuration.
Do not assume every standard IndiGo A320-family seat has a USB port.
Board with your phone fully charged. An onboard power outlet should be treated as a bonus rather than your entire entertainment plan.
Power Banks
If you bring a power bank, remember it belongs in cabin baggage, not checked baggage.
See Power Bank Rules on Flights in India.
Families and Kids: Plan Your Own Entertainment
The difference between a full-service flight and an Indian low-cost flight becomes much more obvious when traveling with small children.
A four-hour flight with no screen can feel very long if your child expects cartoons.
Before Boarding
- Download favorite cartoons.
- Download several episodes, not just one.
- Download two or three movies.
- Bring child-sized headphones.
- Add offline games.
- Bring coloring or activity books.
- Charge the tablet fully.
- Keep a backup activity for later in the flight.
Do not tell children they can watch something onboard unless you already downloaded it. Even advertised wireless IFE can be unavailable because of aircraft changes or technical problems.
How Do I Know If My Flight Has a TV Screen?
- Check the operating airline. This matters on codeshare flights.
- Check the aircraft type.
- For Air India, A350 is a strong screen bet.
- For 787 and 777, check the actual configuration.
- For IndiGo, assume no seatback screen unless your exact aircraft says otherwise.
- For Akasa, assume no seatback TV.
- Recheck the aircraft near departure.
Does the Seat Map Tell You?
Sometimes, but not perfectly.
A seat map can help identify:
- Aircraft type
- Cabin layout
- Former Vistara configuration
- Widebody vs narrowbody
But not every booking system clearly marks TV screens.
What If the Aircraft Changes?
Airlines can substitute aircraft for operational reasons.
Your booking may originally show:
Airbus A350
and later change to another aircraft.
That can change:
- Seat type
- TV screen
- Charging
- Wi-Fi
- Entertainment system
Always download backup entertainment even when your scheduled aircraft has a screen.
Which Indian Airline Is Best for Inflight Entertainment?
If You Want a Physical TV Screen
Air India.
Your strongest options are:
- Air India A350
- Many Air India 787 flights
- Many Air India 777 flights
If You Are Fine Watching Your Own Device
You may encounter:
- Air India Vista Stream
- IndiGo Hello 6E on selected flights
- Air India Express AirFlix
If You Are Flying IndiGo or Akasa
The safest approach is:
assume there will be no entertainment and prepare your own.
| Your Priority | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Modern seatback TV | Air India A350 |
| Long-haul Indian full-service IFE | Air India widebody |
| Wireless entertainment | Air India Vista Stream / AIX AirFlix / selected IndiGo Hello 6E |
| IndiGo flight | Bring downloads |
| Akasa flight | Bring downloads |
| Travel with children | Never rely only on airline IFE |
Entertainment Checklist Before Flying
- Check your aircraft type.
- Check whether your exact flight advertises IFE.
- Do not assume international means TV screen.
- Download movies before leaving home.
- Download the airline app if needed.
- Fully charge your phone or tablet.
- Bring headphones.
- Bring a charging cable.
- Keep a permitted power bank in cabin baggage.
- Download extra kids’ content for family trips.
- Recheck the aircraft before departure.
Bottom line: If by “TV” you mean an actual screen in the seat, Air India is the clear Indian leader. On normal IndiGo and Akasa flights—including many international routes—you should assume there will be no seatback entertainment and prepare your own movies, shows and music. IndiGo’s Hello 6E exists, but only on selected routes and fleets, so it should never be your only entertainment plan.
Related Flight Comfort and Airline Guides
- Top Airlines for Inflight Entertainment: Watch Bollywood Mid-Flight
- Wi-Fi on India Domestic Flights
- Wi-Fi at Indian Airports
- Akasa Air Review
- Why IndiGo Airlines Ranked Among Worst
- IndiGo International Flights: What Travelers Should Know
- Indian Airline Fleet: Air India, IndiGo, Akasa & More
- Codeshare Flights
- Domestic Airlines in India
- Air India Booking Class Codes Explained
Official Sources
- Air India Inflight Entertainment
- Air India A350 Inflight Entertainment
- Air India Vista Stream
- IndiGo Inflight Entertainment
- IndiGo Long-Haul Aircraft Entertainment FAQ
- Air India Express Inflight Services
- Akasa Air Cabin Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian flights have TV screens?
Air India is the main Indian airline offering traditional seatback TV screens, especially on its Airbus A350 and many Boeing 787 and 777 flights. Most low-cost Indian airlines do not have seatback screens.
Does Air India have TV screens?
Yes, on many aircraft. The Air India A350 has personal HD touchscreens in every cabin, and many 787 and 777 aircraft also have seatback entertainment. Other aircraft may use Vista Stream instead.
Does every Air India flight have TV screens?
No. Air India’s entertainment setup depends on aircraft type and configuration. Some narrowbody flights use Vista Stream on passengers’ personal devices rather than built-in screens.
Does IndiGo have TV screens?
Normal IndiGo aircraft do not have traditional seatback TV screens. Some special long-haul aircraft may differ, but ordinary domestic and regional international flights should be booked assuming there is no seatback screen.
Does IndiGo have inflight entertainment?
IndiGo advertises Hello 6E wireless entertainment on selected routes and fleets. It is not available on every flight, so passengers should not rely on it and should download their own content before travel.
Does IndiGo Hello 6E work on every flight?
No. IndiGo itself says inflight entertainment is available only on selected routes and fleets.
Do IndiGo international flights have TV screens?
Most normal IndiGo international narrowbody flights do not have seatback TV screens. Routes to the Gulf and Asia can last several hours but still have the same basic low-cost entertainment setup as domestic flights.
Do IndiGo long-haul flights have entertainment?
Some special long-haul services using leased aircraft can offer inflight entertainment, including seatback screens depending on the aircraft. This should not be confused with the standard IndiGo fleet.
Does Akasa Air have TV screens?
No. Akasa’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft do not have traditional seatback TV screens as a standard feature. Passengers should download their own movies and shows.
Do Akasa international flights have inflight entertainment?
Do not expect seatback TV or a large movie-streaming system merely because the flight is international. Akasa’s basic low-cost cabin product remains similar on domestic and international routes.
Does Air India Express have TV screens?
Generally no. Air India Express uses a personal-device approach and promotes AirFlix wireless entertainment on supported flights rather than seatback screens.
Does a 4-hour flight have TV screens?
No. A four- or five-hour low-cost flight can have no seatback entertainment at all. Flight duration does not determine whether the aircraft has TV screens.
Does DGCA require Indian airlines to provide TV screens?
No. Inflight entertainment is a commercial airline amenity and is not mandatory simply because a flight lasts a certain number of hours.
Can I watch Netflix on IndiGo?
Do not depend on normal onboard internet for Netflix. Download movies and shows before the flight. Hello 6E, where available, provides its own onboard entertainment rather than unrestricted Netflix streaming.
Can I watch Netflix on Akasa?
Download it before flying. Akasa does not currently advertise general onboard internet suitable for normal Netflix streaming.
Can I charge my phone on Akasa Air?
Akasa says a majority of its aircraft have USB charging ports, although availability can vary by aircraft configuration.
How do I know if my Air India flight has a TV screen?
Check the aircraft type and configuration. The A350 is a strong choice for modern seatback IFE, while individual 787 and 777 configurations should be checked separately.
What happened to Vistara’s entertainment?
Vistara no longer operates separately. Its aircraft have been integrated into Air India, so check the current Air India flight and aircraft configuration.
Which Indian airline is best for inflight entertainment?
If you want a physical seatback screen, Air India is the strongest Indian option. If you are flying IndiGo, Akasa or another low-cost carrier, prepare your own offline entertainment rather than depending on the airline.
