Delta Air Lines and Crunchyroll are teaming up to bring anime to the skies. Beginning later this year, passengers will be able to enjoy a specially curated selection of Crunchyroll anime as the airline’s in-flight entertainment. This includes over 50,000 movies and TV episodes, adding up to over 25,000 hours of animated goodness.
Anime will be available in over 169,000 seatback screens across Delta’s fleet. It will also be accessible via in-flight Wi-Fi on your smartphone or other personal device; if you choose to connect this way, Delta will offer a 24-hour free trial of Crunchyroll, redeemable during the flight or after (terms and exclusions apply, of course). This marks the first-ever curated Crunchyroll experience 30,000 feet in the air, and is the largest offering of anime of any U.S. carrier.
“There is nothing better on a long flight than immersing yourself in the rich storytelling and world-building of anime. Fans can go deep on one series or sample one episode of many series – from action to adventure, romance and more. And when they get hooked they can continue their experience on the Crunchyroll app,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll, in a statement. “We are excited to share what we love with Delta passengers and go to new heights together.”
“At Delta, we see every flight as an opportunity for discovery,” added Julieta McCurry, Delta V.P. of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity. “Whether you’re diving into the anime genre for the first time or continuing a favorite series, bringing Crunchyroll to Delta gives our customers access to a world of storytelling while onboard and beyond. It’s part of Delta’s commitment to delivering industry-leading entertainment that reflects the passions and interests of our customers.”
This Delta-Crunchyroll team-up is a fun perk and a clear sign of how mainstream anime has become — even if diehard fans will probably already have their favorite episodes downloaded long before boarding. More details on the lineup will be revealed closer to launch later this year.
