We’re excited to announce our partnership with Air Astana, the largest airline in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Since mid-2024, we’ve worked closely with the airline to provide a fresh, culturally rich selection of entertainment, custom-tailored for both short-haul and long-haul flights. This collaboration introduces passengers to the heritage of Kazakhstan, offering a unique inflight experience beyond traditional content.
As Air Astana’s Content Service Provider (CSP), 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.
This partnership isn’t just about movies and music; it’s about bringing Kazakhstan’s rich heritage to life in the skies. Together, we’re creating a platform that showcases the nation’s culture, sharing its unique stories and sounds with a global audience.
A FOCUS ON CULTURE
Air Astana’s vision for inflight entertainment is as bold as it is inspiring. Their approach to content curation reflects a deep commitment to celebrating Kazakhstan’s identity:
Kazakh Cinema: Passengers can explore an exceptional selection of Kazakh films, highlighting both emerging talent and seasoned filmmakers. These films resonate with universal themes, forging connections with audiences worldwide.
Russian-Dubbed Content: Inclusivity takes centre stage with a full library of films and TV shows dubbed in Russian specifically for Air Astana, making entertainment more accessible for their predominantly Russian-speaking passengers.
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.
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 before they even land. This partnership reinforces our mission to be a cultural ambassador for Kazakhstan.”
MUSIC AS A CULTURAL SOUNDTRACK
Air Astana is also tapping into Stellar’s renowned expertise in audio programming and licensing, ensuring that music plays a pivotal role in the onboard selection. Their extensive music catalog seamlessly blends timeless classics with contemporary hits, creating a soundtrack for every journey:
Fresh and Evolving Content The airline’s massive music catalogue features 400 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.
ACCESS TO PREMIUM GLOBAL CONTENT
Stellar’s strong relationships with Hollywood studios and independent distributors ensure Air Astana’s IFE library combines global blockbusters with local gems. One notable benefit of this partnership is the opportunity for passengers to enjoy early access to premium global content.
Stellar’s Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Jacobs, emphasised the exclusive advantages of this collaboration for Air Astana passengers:
“We are excited to partner with Air Astana to enhance their inflight entertainment offerings and deliver exceptional experiences to their diverse and growing passenger base. This month, travellers can enjoy early access to the critically acclaimed Lee, starring Kate Winslet, and we look forward to collaborating on more unique and engaging content initiatives in the months ahead.”
LEVERAGING STELLAR’S EXPERTISE & INNOVATION
With decades of experience, Stellar Entertainment brings its proven track record to Air Astana. Using advanced tools like the Stellar IFE Portal and pixL™ platform, Stellar streamlines content logistics, boosts operational efficiency, and offers real-time tracking for content performance and budgets, all while simplifying IFE management for clients.
Sam Allen, CEO of Stellar Entertainment, shared his excitement:
“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.”
Together with Air Astana, we’re crafting an inflight experience that goes beyond the ordinary. It’s a celebration of culture, innovation, and connection, offering passengers a chance to explore Kazakhstan’s heritage before they touch the ground.
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