American Airlines rolls out satellite based Wi-Fi to over 700 aircraft

Satellite based Wi-Fi will offer access to 12 free live TV channels that people can stream on their own personal device

American Airlines, world’s largest airlines in terms of passenger traffic and fleet size, recently confirmed the roll out of satellite-based Wi-Fi across its mainline fleet of over 700 aircraft, that includes Airbus A319 and 320s as well as the Boing 737s which fly the company’s domestic routes.

Reportedly, these planes equipped with satellite would offer access to 12 free live TV channels that one can stream on their own personal device. The feature is available on international flights as well.

Apparently, the last time a similar announcement was made by the airline, only 13% of the airline’s narrow body planes were equipped with the same system. The technology powering all of this uses either ViaSat Ka or Gogo 2Ku for the satellite based systems.

Satellite-based systems offer a large coverage area and a consistent connectivity even over the oceans. The new ones provide much faster connections and reportedly, Delta is also upgrading most its fleet with satellite based system.

Kurt Stache, Senior Vice-President at American Airlines for Marketing, Loyalty and Sales said that the company aims to enhance travel experience for their customers, and they have been working to provide a similar level of connectivity and entertainment options as they would at their homes.

The company finished installing broadband internet on their entire mainland fleet within two years and they intend to set new standards for the customers to see the value the company has for the time they spend with them, Stache added.

According to reliable sources, American Airlines will install power outlets in every seat throughout its mainland fleet. American Airlines is introducing tablet holders to majority of its mainland fleet since they’re removing the in-seat entertainment systems. The airline does not provide Wi-Fi to access chat apps, but the provision of a consistent Wi-Fi product is a step ahead that the company took away from the conventional systems still in use by some carriers.

Source Credit-https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/16/american-airlines-now-offers-satellite-based-broadband-Wi-Fi-across-its-mainline-fleet/