Finnair has signed an agreement withย ViaSatย Inc, a global broadband services and technology company, to install a high-speed wireless internet network on its entire Airbus A320 series short-haul fleet flying in Europe. The installation of the wifi equipment will begin in May 2017ย and will be completed by June 2018.
With a connection speed of 12 Mbps or higher per passenger, the new system will offer the fastest in-flight internet connection currently available on the market, which will also enable the use of increasingly popular video streaming services. ViaSat will ensure end-to-end in-flight connectivity service across the Finnair fleet, and has partnered with Eutelsat to deliver the high-speed satellite-based internet service, which will cover the entire European continent.
โOur customers increasingly value the possibility of being connected during their flights and this change will also create great opportunities for Finnair to further develop its in-flight portal that will serve customers with news, entertainment and great shopping opportunities on their portable devices,โ says Piia Karhu, SVP,ย Customerย Experience Development at Finnair. โWe are very pleased to partner with ViaSat on this project, as we will be able to offer our customers the best possible wifi service available on the market today, and that has the ability to scale once the installations are completed.โ
โFinnair is a forward-looking airline that is recognised worldwide for customer service,โ says Don Buchman, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Mobility at ViaSat. โWith the ViaSat in-flightย wifi system enabled across Europe by Eutelsatโs service, Finnair can deliver greater value to its customers by giving them the freedom to use their own device to engage with the internet in new waysย โ from enhanced online shopping to out-of-the-box online entertainment experiences.โ
Last July, Finnair announced that its entire long-haul fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft would be retrofitted with wifi connectivity by May 2017. Finnair is currently operating six A350-XWB aircraft that already offer wireless connectivity for its passengers. The airline is expected to receive an additional five A350 aircraft by the end of next year. With both the long-haul and short-haul fleet set to offer internet connectivity by June 2018, more than a thousand route pairs in Finnairโs network will offer wifi connectivity for transiting passengers. Additionally, Finnairโs wifi coverage over Chinese airspace has recently been opened, having been closed previously due to limitations by the authorities.
Finnairโs wireless internet access is free for Business class passengers, Finnairย Plusย Gold and Platinum customers, andย oneworldย Sapphire and Emerald level customers. Economy class passengers can purchaseย internet access at an hourly rate or for the duration of the flight.
