Should the Viasat/Inmarsat merger eventually close, the company may need to send a thank you present to the Starlink team at SpaceX. After four months of additional review, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a provisional approval to the combination, and the upstart LEO operator is cited as a major factor in the determination.
ViaSat
Market optimism, antenna debates as the first regional jets get a Wi-Fi upgrade
Major optimism from suppliers as the first regional jet WiFi upgrades are set for installation. But there’s still lots of debate as to which solution is technically best for the regional jet market and beyond.
First Breeze plane with Viasat inflight Wi-Fi now flying
The first Breeze Airways plane with Wi-Fi on board is now flying. The A220-300 was fitted with the Viasat inflight internet service earlier this month and is now operating in beta mode as it flies within Breeze’s network.
Qantas refines its first class suites for Project Sunrise A350s
We’re still nearly three years away from service launching, but Qantas continues to tease out how it plans to make 20+ hours on board comfortable for passengers flying on its longest routes.
Delta confirms fleet-wide commitment to Viasat inflight internet
It has been intimated and implied for roughly two years. Now it is confirmed. Delta Air Lines expects Viasat’s inflight internet service to be active across its entire fleet by the end of next year.
Delta shifts Wi-Fi on new A220s
Delta’s newest A220 looks a bit different than the others. The radome atop the fuselage suggests that Delta has shifted inflight internet providers for the type.
Viasat secures 737 type certification in China
Viasat continues to expand the scope of its inflight connectivity offering in China. The company announced this week it secured a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) to install its advanced Ka-band satellite connectivity system on the Boeing 737NG aircraft series.
Delta makes it official: Inflight WiFi will be free
Delta Air Lines is making inflight Wi-Fi free on board. The new program launches 1 February 2023, though it comes with more fine print than the company is letting on.
Viasat satellite internet now available on Gulfstream G450s
Gulfstream G450 owners now have another choice for inflight internet service. Viasat announced receipt of a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for installation of its Global Aero Terminal 5510 on the type.
Sichuan Airlines taps Viasat for inflight connectivity
Sichuan Airlines selected Viasat to provide inflight connectivity, in partnership with AeroSat Link and China Satcom. The deal represents Viasat’s first connected airline customer in China.