Astana, 15th Jan 2025:
Stellar Entertainment has partnered with Air Astana, the largest airline in Central Asia and the Caucasus, to enhance the inflight entertainment experience for passengers of Kazakhstan’s flag carrier.
As Air Astana’s Content Service Provider, 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.
Zhamilya Jaxybekova, IFE Manager from Air Astana remarked: “We’re pleased to partner with Stellar Entertainment to deliver a world-class inflight entertainment experience with the spirit of Kazakhstan at its core. 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.”
Sam Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Entertainment, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Partnering with Air Astana is an incredible opportunity to combine our global expertise with a localised focus, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. 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.”
Air Astana’s vision for inflight entertainment reflects 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. Some 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 proudly features a curated selection of recent local movie releases, spotlighting the talents of both emerging and established Kazakh filmmakers. Passengers have consistently rated Kazakh films as some of the most memorable onboard experiences, reflecting their universal storytelling appeal.
• 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 February 2025, the airline’s “Spotlight” category will bring classic films to the inflight lineup. 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.
Air Astana is also tapping into Stellar’s renowned expertise in audio programming and licensing, helping to ensure that music plays a pivotal role in the onboard selection. An extensive library combines timeless classics and contemporary hits:
•Fresh and Evolving Content – The airline’s massive music catalogue features 600 albums, with 50% of the library refreshed every month. This allows passengers to discover fresh tracks while enjoying timeless favourites.
•Amplifying Kazakh Voices – Showcasing the country’s vibrant musical talent, Air Astana highlights an unparalleled selection of Kazakh music. From traditional melodies to modern hits, passengers can explore the sounds of Kazakhstan in the extensive inflight library of local music, reinforcing Air Astana’s role as a cultural ambassador.
