Key Takeaways
- Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Stellar Entertainment to provide in-flight audio content, including boarding playlists and curated album collections.
- The partnership will see two boarding playlists, one for daytime and one for night flights, updated monthly and available via Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight entertainment system and Spotify channel.
- Stellar Entertainment’s relationships with major record labels Sony, Universal, and Warner enable it to offer a unique audio experience with current, interesting, and authentic music.
- The partnership aims to create a memorable and engaging experience for Virgin Atlantic passengers, setting the airline apart in a competitive market.
- Stellar Entertainment also recently partnered with Azerbaijan Airlines as its exclusive content service provider.
Introduction to the Partnership
Virgin Atlantic has announced a new partnership with Stellar Entertainment to provide in-flight audio content to its passengers. The partnership will see Stellar Entertainment provide Virgin Atlantic with two boarding playlists, one for daytime and one for night flights, as well as curated album collections and playlists for passengers to listen to throughout their journey. This content will be available via the carrier’s in-flight entertainment system, as well as on Virgin Atlantic’s Spotify channel, Virgin Atlantic Vera. According to Sam Allen, Stellar Entertainment’s CEO, the company’s partnerships with major record labels give it the ability to source and deliver content that others cannot, making its audio offering unique.
Content Offering and Curation
The boarding playlists, which are updated monthly, feature a mix of upbeat and relaxing songs to suit the time of day. For example, the February 2026 daytime playlist includes songs like "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift, "People Watching" by Sam Fender, and "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by The Ting Tings. In contrast, the nighttime playlist features more relaxing records, such as "Saturn" by SZA, "Pressure" by The 1975, and "Make Me a Better Man" by Malcolm Todd. Stellar Entertainment Audio Programming Manager Sebastian Conde explained that the company adds 27 albums and playlists every month, with a mix that differs from month to month. The company also receives monthly data on how many people are interacting with each album, which helps inform its curation decisions.
Benefits of the Partnership
The partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Stellar Entertainment aims to create a memorable and engaging experience for passengers, setting the airline apart in a competitive market. According to Virgin Atlantic Inflight Entertainment Manager Cathy Walters, creating an experience that connects with guests beyond their flight is a powerful differentiator. The partnership allows Virgin Atlantic to offer a unique audio experience that feels current, interesting, and authentic, thanks to Stellar Entertainment’s relationships with major record labels. This, in turn, helps to build an audio presence that feels memorable and authentic, underpinning the airline’s entertainment heritage and continuing to engage with customers long after their journey.
Stellar Entertainment’s Unique Selling Point
Stellar Entertainment believes that its relationships with major record labels Sony, Universal, and Warner make its audio offering unique. These partnerships give the company the ability to source and deliver content that others cannot, which means that Virgin Atlantic can offer a mix of music that feels current, interesting, and authentic. This is a key differentiator for Stellar Entertainment, and one that sets it apart from other content providers. As Sam Allen, Stellar Entertainment’s CEO, noted, the company’s partnerships across the music industry give it a unique ability to deliver high-quality content that meets the needs of its clients.
Expansion and Future Plans
Stellar Entertainment has also recently partnered with Azerbaijan Airlines as its exclusive content service provider. This move marks a significant expansion for the company, and demonstrates its growing reputation as a leading provider of in-flight audio content. With its partnerships with major record labels and its ability to deliver high-quality content, Stellar Entertainment is well-positioned to continue growing and expanding its client base in the future. As the company continues to evolve and expand its offerings, it is likely that we will see even more innovative and engaging audio content from Stellar Entertainment in the years to come.
