More than a decade after its first attempt, Qantas will bring inflight internet to its long-haul fleet. And it’ll be free for everyone on board.
ViaSat-3
Evolving inflight connectivity: Viasat takes on the art of passenger engagement
Viasat turned in another quarter of revenue growth, driven by mobility. Further growth will depend, among other things, on helping airlines better deliver the services to passengers.
STCs show signs of progress
When it comes to tracking connectivity installations, sometimes regulators share the most useful insights. Taking a look at which STCs have (and have not) been issued lately offers up some details on a few key programs across the industry.
Going offline? Viasat targeted for Chinese sanctions
Viasat is a target of Chinese sanctions, which could knock some airlines offline in and over the region.
Big revenue, big write-offs for Viasat
Viasat took in $1.2 billion last quarter, but also recognized $1.6 billion in write-offs related to satellite failures and program cancellations. More interesting, however, is growing clarity of what the future constellation will look like – and who the future customer base will be – for the combined companies.
KONNECT VHTS comes online, boosting Eutelsat capacity
Eutelsat’s KONNECT VHTS satellite is now active, bringing 500 Gbps of Ka-band capacity into service over Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
Viasat updates pricing plans in BizAv push
Viasat expects to deliver improved inflight connectivity to its business aviation customers from early 2024. This “expanded range of service options,” announced at NBAA 2023 in Las Vegas, will be available across a range of antenna terminal hardware
Delta activates inflight internet on ex-LATAM A350
With the single-aisle fleet conversion coming to a close, Delta Air Lines is now moving forward with installations of the Viasat inflight internet system across the long-haul fleet. The first A350 to carry the hardware entered service over the weekend.
Viasat recovers 10% of capacity, will not replace ViaSat-3 Americas satellite
Just 10% of the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite’s planned capacity will be available, the company has confirmed. Still, that should leave the satellite as one of the highest capacity systems in orbit, enough that Viasat “remains confident that it will meet the current and future needs of its mobility customers.” A replacement satellite will not be required.
Wi-Fi now active on Korean’s A321neo, powered by Viasat
Korean Air activated inflight Wi-Fi on its A321neo fleet this month. The carrier selected Viasat as the provider, diversifying its supplier base.