Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an antenna, an external communications transceiver connected to the antenna for communicating external the aircraft, and a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) spaced throughout the aircraft for distributing entertainment related data. A distribution network is connected to the SEBs and to the external communications transceiver. An internal communications transceiver is connected to the distribution network for establishing an external communications link with a portable wireless device carried by a passenger internal to the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes a headend unit, and a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) spaced throughout the aircraft. The headend unit includes a digital satellite radio receiver. A local area network (LAN) connects the digital satellite radio receiver for providing digital satellite radio signals to the SEBs. The IFE system further includes a plurality of passenger control units (PCUs) connected to the plurality of SEBs, with each PCU permitting passenger selection of the digital satellite radio signals.