In-flight WiFi connectivity is coming to the turboprop market. De Havilland Aircraft announced a series of enhancements to its Dash 8-400 offering, including integration of a Starlink in-flight internet kit on board.
wifi
Spirit officially activates WiFi, launches new pricing options
Since Spirit Airlines announced plans to add in-flight Wi-Fi services four years ago, the carrier has planned to market its offering differently than other airlines. Now, two months after completing the A320/A321 installs and after a year of active testing, the service is out of beta and Spirit is kicking off a major marketing push.
Air Canada selects Intelsat 2Ku for A321 internet service
Air Canada’s A321 fleet will soon fly with the Intelsat 2Ku in-flight internet solution. Under the agreement the carrier will upgrade its offering for 15 existing aircraft, while also taking 15 new deliveries with the system installed from the Airbus factory in Hamburg.
Astronics boosts cabin WiFi, power offerings
Airlines can now deliver power and WiFi on board more efficiently, thanks to the next generation of Astronics offerings. The company’s new CabinAXe wireless access point and EmPower® UltraLite G2 USB power solutions each bring notable upgrades to their respective product line.
Turkish launches new WiFi on 737s, A321s
With more than a dozen aircraft fitted, Turkish Airlines is finally ready to officially launch its newest in-flight connectivity platform. The service, powered by Anuvu and in-country partner Profen, can be accessed on 13 of the company’s Airbus A321 and Boeing 737NG planes.
Hawaiian Airlines gets online with Starlink
Hawaiian Airlines will offer fast, free in-flight WiFi on its long-haul flights from 2023. The carrier announced a deal with Starlink to deliver the internet connectivity service on its A330, A321neo, and 787 aircraft.
JSX selects Starlink for in-flight WiFi
SpaceX signed the first airline customer for its Starlink satellite service. JSX will offer in-flight WiFi powered by the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, with the first plane expected to be equipped later this year.
China Airlines selects Inmarsat GX by SITA for A321neo in-flight WiFi
Passengers on China Airlines’ new A321neo fleet can access high speed internet service in the sky. The carrier selected SITA to deliver its Internet ONAIR product on board, backed by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation satellite network.
Breeze picks Viasat for WiFi in the sky
Chalk up another in-flight WiFi win for Viasat. Breeze selected the satellite provider to deliver internet service on its A220 fleet beginning later this year.
A line-fit shift
The in-flight connectivity industry has something of a history around getting hardware installed at the factory, but not really as a line-fit option. Later this year another aircraft manufacturer will finally transition to a more traditional installation approach, with the blessings of regulators.