In what CEO Bernd Bauer describes as “A major step in digitizing the flight experience and a real upgrade for our guests,” Discover Airlines will add inflight internet to its A330 fleet. The carrier will see the new Panasonic Avionics multi-orbit solution activated, with installations beginning later this year, after the peak summer season
The introduction of this new technology … opens up opportunities to further personalize the entertainment program and service on board. We are very pleased to be one of the first airlines to use this new technology. – Bernd Bauer, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Airlines
Discover will offer passengers complimentary messaging on board, while full connectivity packages will be available for purchase. Pricing was not announced, but the company expects it to be in line with the current offering. Additionally, purchased packages are valid on Discover and Lufthansa.
Panasonic Avionics will deliver the connection via the company’s new multi-orbit solution. First announced in 2022, it uses both LEO and GEO satellite constellations to deliver an optimal connected experience.
Read more: Panasonic Avionics launches multi-orbit test flight program
The company expects most of the network traffic to be handled by the LEO connection. PAC’s John Wade has been clear that the company’s “entire ethos remains leading with LEO; we will give you LEO until we cannot. It is such a radically different experience.”
Discover is the first airline to be named as a customer for the new PAC solution, though it is not the first to fly. Another customer is expected to have the system on board later within the next four weeks.
The carrier operates 13 A330s today.
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