No surprise, given the contract signed last November, but a Cathay Pacific 777 sporting 2Ku is now flying. This is one of an expected 127 aircraft in the Cathay Group to receive the 2Ku kit.
Click here for a photo of B-KPQ on its first commercial flight after 2Ku was installed
It spent a month out of service for the install (typical for the first of a new type or carrier) and returned to flying on 28 July 2018. The service is still in testing mode as is typical with new fleet installs of connectivity services. Aircraft B-KQZ appears to be on the ground in Hong Kong now for an extended period of time. That gives it decent odds of being the next install to leave the shop. B-KQC also recently spent a month in the shop to get an interior refresh. It is unclear if 2Ku was installed at the same time.
The carrier expects to fit all of its A330s and 777s with the 2Ku system. The A350 fleet carries the Panasonic Avionics connectivity kit on board.
Sharp eyes from Jason Rabinowitz to catch this one.
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I was just onboard B-KPQ and the antenna was installed but there was no WiFi signal inside the plane. Crew said they are still waiting for a component from GoGo for activation?
My understanding it that it is still in testing, but not waiting for any hardware to still be installed. It typically takes a bit of time (weeks to months) for the portal and other bits to be fully tested and ready to go following the initial hardware fitting.