Global broadband services provider ViaSat has been contracted to provide high-speed wireless internet on Finnair’s entire Airbus A320 short-haul fleet flying in Europe.
The Wi-Fi equipment will be installed from next May, with completion scheduled for June 2018.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Once completed, the system will provide in-flight internet connection to the passengers at a speed of 12mbp or more.
ViaSat has also collaborated with Eutelsat Communications in order to offer the satellite-based internet across Europe.
Finnair customer experience development SVP Piia Karhu said: "Our customers increasingly value the possibility of being connected during their flights and this change will also create great opportunities for Finnair to further develop its in-flight portal that will serve customers with news, entertainment and great shopping opportunities on their portable devices.”
The carrier currently operates six A350-XWB aircraft, which has already been providing wireless connectivity for its passengers.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataFinnair will take delivery of five more A350 aircraft by the end of next year.
Last July, the airline said that its entire Airbus A330 long-haul fleet would be retrofitted with Wi-Fi connectivity by next May.
By June 2018, Finnair’s both long-haul and short-haul fleet will start providing internet connectivity. The carrier recently relaunched Wi-Fi coverage over Chinese airspace.
Flying between Asia, Europe and North America, Finnair carries more than ten million passengers a year and connects 17 cities in Asia with more than European 60 destinations.
ViaSat noted that El Al Israel Airlines is currently conducting customer trials of its services and expected to enter full retail service by the end of this year.
