Viasat is ploughing ahead with installs, with the announcement that its in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution will be installed on a total of more than 1,000 Delta Air Lines aircraft.
Viasat’s Wi-Fi to the seat on a Delta aircraft -Image, Delta/Viasat.
The move confirms that Delta has selected Viasat IFC services for its widebody fleets, including all active aircraft in its Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 767 fleets.
In addition to previously announced mainline fleets, the Airbus A220 and upcoming deliveries on the Boeing 737MAX will be outfitted and serviced by Viasat.
These will be delivered alongside Delta’s promise of offering more than 700 Delta aircraft with Viasat-equipped aircraft by the end of 2023.
Delta’s Viasat-equipped aircraft are being outfitted with Viasat’s latest Ka-band IFC system and are designed to be compatible with the Company’s complete network of satellites, including the forthcoming three-satellite ViaSat 3 constellation, the first of which is scheduled to launch in April 2023.
In Quotes
Don Buchman, Viasat’s vice president and general manager, Commercial Aviation said:
“We are honored to continue expanding as the technology provider supporting Delta’s mission to offer fast, free Wi-Fi as part of its evolved customer experience,”
“The speed and scale at which we have reached this milestone together – now with more than 1,000 aircraft planned — has been astounding and is a tribute to our collaboration.”
Building out the Delta connectivity dream
With Delta offering its domestic customers free Wi-Fi access (for the cost of a SkyMiles membership), having the connectivity to support this is going to be key.
With the Ka connectivity deployment that is in flight, there will come a point where bandwidth might be an issue. Thankfully, Viasat is progressing with its Viasat-3 constellation – each of the three is s expected to have more than 1 Terabit per second (Tbps) of throughput capacity. Combined with the ability to flex capacity where it is needed and concentrated, both Viasat and Delta can deliver high-quality Wi-Fi to the seat of the passenger on the aircraft.
And providing the costs can be managed, it will be attractive – not just to Delta, but to other airlines and users too.
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