Finnair have partnered with ViaSat to deploy in-flight WiFi for its short-haul fleet, and adding some more WiFi to the skies.
Finnair Airbus A320 – Image, Finnair
The installation of the hardware to enable in-flight WiFi will commence in May 2017, with a target completion of June 2018.
The ViaSat solution will be deployed to Finnair’s A320 family fleet – a total of 35 split across the A319/A320/A321 (with 2 leased from Air Berlin). A further 6 are to join the fleet in 2017.
ViaSat’s solution should offer at least 12 megabits per passenger to the seat – so this in theory should be usable for streaming video applications, as well as instant messaging,
ViaSat will be working with Eutelstat to ensure coverage is available across the European continent.
Finnair currently offers WiFi connectivity on its Airbus A350 and A330 fleets.
WiFi is offered free to certain users including:
- Business Class,
- Finnair Plus Gold
- Finnair Plus Platinum
- oneworld Sapphire
- oneworld Emerald
Those in economy class have to pay for WiFi connectivity.
Wireless connectivity is becoming an important part of the passenger experience – where passengers expect to be connected. Adoption in Europe has been a lot hard to achive than the USA (where the preferred solution is an ground to air product). As more high speed spots are beamed from satalites to the ground, this should open up more connectivity options.
And hopefully – cheaper ones for passengers to use.
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