IFPL Group future-proofs inflight audio with flexible hardware
This is a special feature from the June/July 2025 Seating & IFEC issue of PAX Tech on page 28.
Bluetooth® Audio Jack 2082 from IFPL Group
In the quest for the ultimate inflight entertainment, stunning visuals often steal the show. But what about the sound? When a passenger slips on headphones and hits play, true immersion depends on crystal-clear audio, free from the cabin's inherent hum.
PAX Tech sat down with Mark Reed, Business Development Director - North America, IFPL Group, to learn about their future-proofing approach to in-seat audio jacks and delivering flexible hardware that adapts as cabin technology and passenger expectations evolve.
Function forward
Traditionally, diagnosing faults in aircraft cabin audio systems is time consuming and labor intensive, requiring maintenance teams to manually check each seat’s audio connection.
Mark Reed, Business Development Director - North America, IFPL Group
“We developed a Self-Testing Audio Jack to dramatically speed up the fault-finding process, ultimately saving airlines time, labor and money,” Reed tells PAX Tech.
The jacks, he explains, are equipped with self-test functionality and automatically report operational status to the crew. To check operational functionality an audio signal is sent down the length of the aircraft and the working jacks light up as a visual indicator of operational units.
IFPL’s audio jacks also offer a rapid on-wing replacement feature bucking traditional methods that require invasive removal procedures.
“Our patented cartridge technology is a direct result of listening to the challenges our customers face,” Reed says.
Engineered for rapid on-wing serviceability, IFPL’s modular audio jacks can be swapped out in less than 20 seconds per cartridge without any special tools or seat removal and minimal disruption to cabin operations.
“It is a simple solution that fits seamlessly into existing seat structures and significantly reduces aircraft downtime,” Reed says. “By focusing on operational efficiency from the start, we have created audio products that help airlines save time, cut maintenance costs and enhance the reliability of their IFE systems, all without compromising the passenger experience.”
Elevating inflight audio
A 30-year old sketch by IFPL Group’s founder, depicting the idea for the supplier’s long life audio jack
Inflight entertainment visuals are now on par with what passengers can enjoy in their living room, offering HD screens and stunning 4K displays. But visuals are only half of the onboard IFE experience – without equally impressive audio, passengers cannot immerse themselves to the fullest. And, as Reed points out, delivering premium audio in the aircraft cabin is no small feat, particularly in Economy.
“The cabin environment is inherently noisy, with limited space and any components need to withstand constant use,” he explains. “As passengers increasingly bring their own high-end headphones and personal devices onboard, expectations for seamless, high-quality audio are on the increase.”
IFPL is tackling this challenge by focusing on robust mechanical performance, modular design and superior signal integrity.
Reed tells PAX that the supplier’s jacks are tested to 100,000 insertions. Gold-plated contacts and carefully engineered grounding minimize signal loss and reduce interference, even in high-density seating. Balancing durability with evolving passenger expectations is at the core of how IFPL approaches audio solutions design.
Noise-isolating and noise-cancelling audio jack options can help to further filter out cabin background noise.
“We build active noise cancellation capability into the audio jack,” Reed explains. “If the passenger also has noise cancelling built into their headphones we are coming at it from both angles, which effectively ensures passengers hear more of their content and less engine noise.”
IFPL continues to innovate and improve the inflight audio experience with features like Bluetooth. The company’s one-touch pairing Bluetooth audio jacks simplify the process of connecting headphones to IFE systems, eliminating the need to navigate menus or manually adjust settings. It also reduces the reliance on wired connections onboard, which Reed says can be prone to damage over time.
“These solutions make it easier for passengers to connect their own headphones reliably and enjoy immersive, sound quality to match the visuals,” he adds. “Ultimately, great IFE is not just about what passengers see—it is about the entire sensory experience. Quality audio is a vital part of that.”
Cutting the cord?
In terms of a shift toward wireless cabin environments, Reed predicts that hybrid solutions will dominate the cabin space over the next decade.
“There is growing momentum toward wireless technologies in the cabin—for lighting control, passenger connectivity and even some IFE functions—driven by the benefits of reduced weight, simplified installation and increased flexibility,” he explains. “However, in aviation, reliability and certification remain critical.”
He notes that wired systems continue to offer a level of robustness and signal integrity that is difficult to replace entirely.
“We see the future as a blend of both: smart hybrid systems that combine the reliability of wired infrastructure with the flexibility and efficiency of wireless innovation,” he says.
