Air Canada plans a big boost to its WiFi offerings on board, including a free messaging for travelers. Live television access on board is also expanding.
live tv
Air Canada adds live television on board
Live news and sports is now flying on Air Canada. The carrier is adding six channels of Canadian television, in English and French, to its inflight entertainment package, powered by Panasonic Avionics and Intelsat 2Ku.
Qatar Airways to live-stream FIFA World Cup on board
Qatar Airways passengers will have access to FIFA World Cup matches live in flight, thanks to a partnership between Panasonic Avionics, Inmarsat, and IMG’s Sport24.
Qatar Airways picks Inmarsat GX for Super Wi-Fi service on 787s, MAX 10s
Qatar Airways is not shy about shifting providers to make sure the services offered meet its standards. That the carrier shifted suppliers on for inflight WiFi on the 787-9 fleet to Inmarsat’s GX Aviation hardware on board is perhaps even more notable.
Southwest selects Viasat for future WiFi installs, adds power, too
Southwest Airlines selected Viasat’s next generation, Ka-band satellite in-flight connectivity (IFC) system on aircraft deliveries, starting this fall. New 737 MAX aircraft will see the Viasat kit installed by Boeing on the factory line, arriving at Southwest with the WiFi service ready to fly.
MEA gives live TV a try
Live television is now flying on Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA) under a two month trial with Panasonic Avionics. The service launched on the carrier’s A321LR earlier this month.
Live TV returns to American Airlines
Live television is back on American Airlines. Driving the return – much as it drove the disappearance last year – is demand for live sports on board.
Flat-rate connectivity bundles launch from Panasonic Avionics
In-flight connectivity packages measured by the megabyte generally suck for consumers. Uncertainty over consumption rates and costs make for a worse passenger experience. Panasonic Avionics now wants to help address that issue, but more for the airlines than passengers.
China Eastern launches local live TV on board with Panasonic Avionics
Live television in flight is coming to China. Panasonic Avionics will deliver multiple channels of live TV service to China Eastern as the launch customer of its expanded channel selection, adding multiple Chinese broadcasters to its portfolio.
Azul CEO talks free WiFi, sees long-term customer value
How can an airline justify a massive, expensive project coming off the absolute worst year the aviation industry ever experienced? For Azul CEO John Rodgerson, the answer was easy. “The way I look at it is when we invite somebody on board the aircraft we want them to feel as if they’re at home.” And today that at-home experience means access to fast, free, internet connectivity.