The CEO of Delta Air Lines said from the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that members of the airline's frequent flyer program will be able to avail of free internet.
Delta is not a pioneer when it comes to offering free wi-fi on domestic flights. The airline has provided free internet to passengers for over a decade. Outside of the U.S., a cluster of carriers have supported this complimentary amenity.
Take Japan Airlines as an example. In 2017, JAL announced it would provide free internet access to all customers on domestic routes, as supported by a traditional Gogo Ku-band airborne system which had been fitted years earlier to some 77 JAL aircraft.
Japan Airlines has already installed Intelsat's more advanced 2Ku IFC solution on the first of 14 E190s operated by its regional commuter subsidiary, J-AIR.
Wireless IFE was only available to passengers. J-AIR will be the first regional operator in Japan to offer both inflight entertainment and internet, as well as the first E190 aircraft in the world to have the Intelsat 2Ku system.
They have had a free inflight internet experience on larger jets with the addition of 2 Ku. Dave Bijur, senior vice president of Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation says, "This is a great showcase for other E190 operators around the world who want to offer a free service to all their passengers."
The package is designed for larger transport aircraft. Japan Airlines and Intelsat have been able to bring it to the 2-2 configuration.
J-AIR, the first regional aircraft in Japan, will offer miles of entertainment to its customers thanks to Intelsat's 2Ku system.
Intelsat is working with a cable and wiring specialist to bring to market a new broadband inflight solution that can operate on the same networks as the regional jets.
The low-profile, low-power Ka1717- branded package for regional jets will compete with a new breed of electronically steerable antennas as well as nextgen air-to-ground offerings.
During an interview with Runway Girl Network, the director of sales, Asia Pacific, Jerome Viagas, said that his firm is providing all the structures and the adapter plate, the radome and all the integration and certification package to integrate these antennas
The satcom antenna will be flight-tested this year.
It's not clear whether Delta will consider this package for jet equipage. Delta said it will have free wi-fi on international and regional aircraft by the end of the year. The regional jets are connected to the air-to-ground network managed by Intelsat. Delta longhaul aircraft are fitted with Intelsat's Ku-band and 2Ku IFC solutions at the moment. Delta has tied loyalty to free wi-fi.
There are related articles.
The image was credited to J- Air.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
