Product Feature Builder
Qatar Airways Google Casting and Fast Pairing
Feature Brief
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The Problem
Traditional in-flight entertainment systems often lack the flexibility and connectivity that passengers experience at home, leading to lower engagement and higher costs for maintaining extensive offline content libraries.
Customer Needs
Passengers want a seamless second-screen experience, allowing them to easily cast content from their personal devices to the in-flight entertainment system, enhancing their travel experience.
Business Needs
This feature strategically positions Qatar Airways as an industry leader in innovative in-flight experiences, potentially reducing content costs and increasing passenger engagement, thereby maximizing the return on investment for the Starlink bandwidth.
Operational Needs
Successful implementation requires technical validation, a tiered commercial structure for Google Cast, and a coordinated launch and marketing strategy with Google.
Success Metrics
Key performance indicators include increased in-flight entertainment engagement rates, reduced costs associated with content libraries, and positive passenger feedback on the new connectivity experience.
Initial Concept
The feature will enable passengers to use Google Cast and Fast Pair technology to stream content from their personal devices to the in-flight entertainment system, providing a familiar and enhanced entertainment experience at cruising altitude.
Feature Canvas
Objectives
To pioneer an industry-first in-flight entertainment (IFE) system by integrating Google Cast and Fast Pair into the Thales FlytEDGE system, providing passengers with a seamless, home-like connectivity experience at 35,000 feet.
Goals
1. Enhance passenger experience by enabling personal casting and second-screen capabilities.
2. Reduce costs associated with maintaining extensive offline content libraries through a "Bring Your Own Content" (BYOC) strategy.
3. Maximize engagement and ROI on the Starlink bandwidth investment.
4. Establish Qatar Airways as a leader in innovative in-flight technology.
Dependancies
1. Collaboration with Google and Thales for technical integration and validation.
2. Execution of the tiered commercial structure for Google Cast.
3. Coordination with marketing teams for the teaser and global reveal events.
4. Alignment with Starlink bandwidth capabilities for seamless connectivity.
Deliverables
1. Integration of Google Cast and Fast Pair into the Thales FlytEDGE IFE system for Airbus A321 and A350 fleets.
2. Completion of technical validation and implementation of a tiered commercial structure for Google Cast.
3. Development of a joint launch and marketing strategy with Google, including teaser and global reveal events.
4. Live system demonstrations at industry events like Google I/O and the Farnborough International Airshow.
Timeline
1. Proof of Concept (PoC) completion and technical validations: Completed.
2. Teaser launch at Google I/O Keynote in Mountain View: May 2026.
3. Global reveal and live demo at Farnborough International Airshow: July 2026.
4. Fleet rollout and passenger availability: Post-July 2026, aligned with fleet schedules.
Key Metrics
1. Increased in-flight entertainment engagement rates.
2. Reduction in costs associated with maintaining offline content libraries.
3. Positive passenger feedback and satisfaction scores related to the new connectivity experience.
4. Successful execution of the joint launch strategy with Google, as measured by industry recognition and media coverage.
Stakeholders
1. Qatar Airways Product Management and Engineering Teams.
2. Google (for Cast and Fast Pair technology integration and marketing collaboration).
3. Thales (for FlytEDGE IFE system enhancements).
4. Starlink (for connectivity support).
5. Marketing and Public Relations Teams (for launch campaigns).
6. Passengers (end-users and key beneficiaries of the feature).
Feature Research
It is really important at this point that you do additional research. We suggest you do Competitor Analysis and then Surveys and Customer interviews on the feature concept. to ensure your feature is bring value and solving customer problems. This helps you refine your thought and will aid in surfacing requirements.
Story Map
User Activities
User Stories
Success Metrics
Tasks
Value Proposition Canvas
Customer Jobs
- Stream content from personal devices to the in-flight entertainment system effortlessly
- Enjoy a seamless second-screen experience while travelling
- Access a familiar, home-like connectivity ecosystem at 35,000 feet
- Enhance travel comfort with personalised entertainment options
- Minimise reliance on preloaded in-flight content libraries
Customer Pains
- Limited flexibility in traditional in-flight entertainment systems
- Inconvenience of navigating unfamiliar interfaces
- Frustration with outdated or irrelevant preloaded content
- Lack of connectivity options that mirror home environments
- Difficulty in pairing personal devices with in-flight systems
Customer Gains
- Enhanced engagement with in-flight entertainment through personalisation
- Cost savings on maintaining extensive offline content libraries
- Streamlined connectivity for a more enjoyable travel experience
- Increased passenger satisfaction and loyalty
- Recognition of Qatar Airways as an innovative industry leader
Gain Creators
- Eliminate the need for extensive preloaded content libraries
- Simplify device pairing with Fast Pair technology
- Reduce passenger frustration with outdated in-flight systems
- Provide a seamless and intuitive casting experience
- Address connectivity gaps with high-speed internet solutions
Pain Relievers
- Provide a familiar, home-like entertainment experience at cruising altitude
- Enable passengers to bring and stream their own content
- Increase engagement rates through personalised entertainment options
- Reinforce Qatar Airways' position as a technology pioneer
- Optimise the ROI on Starlink connectivity investments
Products & Services
- Google Cast and Fast Pair integration with Thales FlytEDGE IFE system
- Seamless second-screen capabilities for passengers
- High-speed connectivity powered by Starlink bandwidth
- Jointly marketed launch events with Google
- Live system demonstrations at global industry events
Requirements
Product Feature Goals
Qatar Airways Google Casting and Fast Pairing
We are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our partnership engagement with Google and Thales to introduce an industry-first entertainment experience on our upcoming Flytedge IFE system on Airbus A321 and A350 fleets. By integrating Google Cast and Fast Pair into the Thales FlytEDGE IFE system, we will become the first airline to offer a seamless, "home-like" connectivity ecosystem at 35,000 feet.
Feature Goals
1. Enhance passenger experience by enabling personal casting and second-screen capabilities.
2. Reduce costs associated with maintaining extensive offline content libraries through a "Bring Your Own Content" (BYOC) strategy.
3. Maximise engagement and ROI on the Starlink bandwidth investment.
4. Establish Qatar Airways as a leader in innovative in-flight technology.
Strategic Fit
The integration of Google Cast and Fast Pair into the Thales FlytEDGE system aligns with Qatar Airways' strategic objectives to lead the aviation industry in technological innovation. By enhancing passenger engagement and reducing operational costs, this initiative will support our mission to deliver superior travel experiences and maintain our competitive edge in the market.
Assumptions
1. Passengers will increasingly demand flexible and familiar in-flight entertainment options that mirror their at-home experiences.
2. Successful technical validation and execution of a tiered commercial structure with Google Cast will be achieved, aligning with our fleet's rollout schedule.
3. Coordinated marketing efforts with Google will effectively raise awareness and position Qatar Airways as a pioneer in in-flight technology.
4. Starlink bandwidth capabilities will provide the necessary support for seamless and high-speed connectivity during flights.
Customer needs to be meet
Customer Needs to be Met
Epic 1: Seamless Second-Screen Experience
As a customer, I want the capability to easily cast content from my personal device to the in-flight entertainment system, ensuring a familiar and convenient entertainment experience.
As a customer, I desire a streamlined pairing process that allows me to connect my device to the IFE system quickly and effortlessly.
Epic 2: Enhanced In-Flight Entertainment
As a customer, I wish to enjoy an 'at-home' entertainment experience at 35,000 feet, improving my overall travel satisfaction.
As a customer, I expect a high-quality streaming experience that does not lag or disrupt during my flight.
Epic 3: Connectivity and User Interface
As a customer, I want a user-friendly interface that guides me through the process of pairing and casting content to the IFE system without needing extensive assistance.
As a customer, I expect continuous and reliable connectivity during my flight to enjoy uninterrupted entertainment.
Business needs to be meet
Business Needs to be Met
Epic 1: Enhance Passenger Experience
As a business, we want to provide passengers with a seamless second-screen experience, enabling them to easily cast content from their personal devices to the in-flight entertainment system.
Epic 2: Reduce Content Costs
As a business, we want to offset the costs associated with maintaining extensive offline content libraries by adopting a 'Bring Your Own Content' (BYOC) strategy.
Epic 3: Increase Engagement and Maximize ROI
As a business, we want to maximize engagement with the in-flight entertainment system and maximize ROI on our Starlink bandwidth investment.
Epic 4: Establish Market Leadership
As a business, we want to position Qatar Airways as a leader in innovative in-flight technology through the successful implementation and marketing of this industry-first feature.
Epic 5: Successful Implementation and Launch
As a business, we want to ensure the successful technical validation and integration of Google Cast and Fast Pair into the Thales FlytEDGE IFE system.
As a business, we want to develop and execute a coordinated launch and marketing strategy with Google, featuring teaser and global reveal events.
Epic 6: Achieve Positive Passenger Feedback
As a business, we want to obtain positive passenger feedback and satisfaction scores regarding the new connectivity experience to ensure ongoing improvement and service excellence.
Operational needs to be meet
Operational Needs to be Met
Technical Integration and Validation
Complete technical validation of Google Cast and Fast Pair integrations with the Thales FlytEDGE IFE system specifically for Airbus A321 and A350 fleets.
Establish a tiered commercial structure agreement with Google for effective cost management of Google Cast services.
Ensure alignment with Starlink's bandwidth capabilities to support seamless connectivity during flights.
Marketing and Launch Coordination
Develop a coordinated marketing strategy with Google for the feature's teaser launch at Google I/O in May 2026.
Plan and execute a global reveal at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026, including live demonstrations of the feature.
Ensure consistent messaging and integrate launch strategies with Qatar Airways' overall marketing plan to position the airline as an innovation leader.
Fleet Deployment and Scale
Coordinate with operational teams to ensure the rollout of the upgraded FlytEDGE system post-July 2026, aligning with the schedule of Airbus A321 and A350 fleets.
Ensure system readiness for a seamless passenger experience upon deployment, including comprehensive testing and validation before rollout.
Stakeholder Alignment and Communication
Facilitate ongoing collaboration with Google and Thales to address any integration challenges and ensure successful implementation.
Engage with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing teams at Qatar Airways to keep stakeholders informed and aligned with project milestones and objectives.
Conduct regular updates and communication with passengers, emphasising the benefits and enhancements of the new IFE experience.
Proposed Roadmap
Roadmap Breakdown
Roadmap Timeline