Viasat will install its inflight internet solution across more than 1,000 planes for Delta Air Lines as part of an updated agreement between the two companies. The deal includes all active aircraft in its Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 767 fleets. In addition to previously announced mainline fleets, the Airbus 220 and upcoming deliveries on the Boeing 737MAX will be outfitted and serviced by Viasat.
The news confirms a January report from PaxEx.Aero.
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.
– Don Buchman, Viasat’s vice president and general manager, Commercial Aviation
The companies expect more than 700 planes to carry the Viasat hardware by the end of this year. The remaining aircraft will be fitted by the end of 2024.
The timing for the long-haul fleet is driven in part by the launch cadence for Viasat’s new ViaSat-3 satellite constellation. The new satellites dramatically increase both capacity available and the coverage footprint for Viasat’s service. By late 2024 it should be able to keep Delta’s planes connected nearly anywhere on the globe; only polar routes would be out of range.
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