TUI Airways has unveiled a new industry-first in-flight platform that allows passengers to browse and book holiday activities whilst still in the air.
*All details correct at time of publish (30 July 2025)
In addition, passengers will also be able to watch movies and chat directly from their smartphones or tablets as part of the new platform.
Chief Commercial Officer at TUI Airline Peter Glade said: “Our new platform seamlessly combines entertainment, travel information, and messaging services right where our guests’ holiday begins: onboard our aircraft.
“This makes TUI even more digital and optimises our in-flight experience for customers. We are also very proud to be the first airline to introduce a custom platform that will enable our guests to book exclusive excursions for their holiday destination while flying through the sky”.
The world-first digital platform enables travellers to use their own smartphones or tablets to explore and secure spots on more than 1,500 TUI Musement experiences during their flight, ensuring they don’t miss out on popular excursions while on the way to their destination.
From cultural tours and cooking classes to boat trips and adventure activities, passengers can browse the full range of TUI Musement offerings and reserve their preferred experiences. After landing, they will receive a payment link by email to quickly confirm their booking.
Chief Marketing Officer of TUI Musement, Mirco Fiumene, said: “This seamless integration allows travellers to discover authentic local experiences and secure their spot before they even arrive. It’s about making every moment of the journey count.”
The service currently features special promotional pricing on the “TUI Collection”, which is a carefully curated selection of sustainable experiences led by knowledgeable local guides.
As part of the new platform, TUI Airways will become the first airline worldwide to enable WhatsApp messaging during flights via the Iridium Certus network.
This feature will be available for both iOS and Android users and can be booked by the hour or for the entire flight duration. Other messaging services, such as iMessage, will be integrated in the coming months.
The system also grants customers smartphone access to over 100 movies, 20 TV series, 16 podcasts and 6 games, including exclusive content such as Season 1 of TUI World Cook.
Access to the system is simple and affordable: for £3.35 per device, passengers can enjoy full access to movies, series, and podcasts. Those who want to stay connected via WhatsApp during the flight can opt for one hour of connectivity at €/3.50, or €/6.00 for the entire flight.
Additionally, the platform offers extensive shopping and activity options as well as flight and destination information.
Initial feedback shows that the new interactive flight progress display with a 3D moving map, altitude, remaining flight time, outside temperature, and speed is a highlight for many guests.
Jill Nye, Director of Customer, Cabin Crew and Inflight Services, TUI Airline, said “The positive feedback confirms that with our new inflight platform, we are meeting our guests’ needs.
“We are committed to a long-lasting, flexible solution that grows with the expectations of our passengers and sustainably improves the flight experience. Today, we are already exploring the next innovation steps, such as the use of high-speed connectivity or the integration of further content”.
The platform is designed to work independently of specific hardware, ensuring future viability. The project was nominated for the “FTE Innovate Award” and is considered a benchmark in the industry for smart, cost-efficient, and sustainable narrowband inflight solutions.
For holidaymakers who like to plan ahead, this innovation means their in-flight experience will reach new heights.
For more information, go to www.tui.co.uk.
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