Watch Dota 2 on plane flights with Air China

Esports Industry
August 6, 2019
Kieran Lee

This may be the start of something great, competitive game VODs being available throughout flights across the world. However, that may still be a few years away considering the general slow roll out of new practices within the airlines. This is especially so considering that not even all flights globally have internet / wifi access for its passengers.

Dota 2 VODs with Air China

© Dota 2 Twitter

Air China rolls out Dota 2 VODs

The news first broke through Dota 2’s Weibo, one of the largest social media platforms in China. The post details that Dota 2 VODs would be available through their in-flight entertainment, the small screen planted mostly on the seat in front of you. Air China would be hosting Dota 2 content for the month of August. This was later confirmed by the Dota 2’s official Twitter account.

Why only August?

It is likely due to a licensing trial, where Air China wishes to test the waters for esports related content, and whether passengers would watch it. While this period does perfectly coincide with the largest Dota 2 tournament of the year, The International 2019, Air China’s Dota 2 collaboration does not include the TI9 coverage.

Future for game VODs throughout the world

This collaboration between Dota 2 and Air China is a major testing ground regarding esports’ presence within flights. If flyers take interest in Air China’s August coverage of Dota 2 content, it is likely other VODs, especially League of Legends, will start appearing throughout inflight entertainment systems globally.