Viasat’s in-flight connectivity solution will be installed on more than 1,000 Delta Air Lines aircraft. (Photo: Delta)
Delta Air Lines just announced that it selected Viasat to provide in-flight connectivity to its fleet. The Atlanta-based carrier recently made headlines for announcing that it would provide all SkyMiles Members with free Wi-Fi on almost all domestic flights. This industry-leading decision will be supported by its new partnership with Viasat; their collaboration means that Viasat will provide connectivity on over one thousand aircraft within the Delta fleet.
Viasat is a global communications company that has helped consumers, businesses, militaries and governments to communicate more efficiently and reliably. While it has a diverse list of clients, Viasat already has a strong presence in the airline industry, where it provides in-flight connectivity for several major carriers. These customers include American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, and more recently, Southwest Airlines. The addition of Delta to their extensive list of airline partners highlights the benefit an experienced and tested company can bring to such a dynamic industry.
With the partnership, Viasat will provide connectivity on a wide range of aircraft within Delta’s fleet. This includes widebody aircraft like its Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 767 models. Viasat will also be installed on smaller, narrowbody aircraft with new deliveries, including the Airbus A220 and the Boeing 737 MAX 10, for which the airline recently placed a sizable order. By the end of the year, 700 existing aircraft will be equipped with Viasat Wi-Fi.
Don Buchman, Viasat’s Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Aviation, demonstrated enthusiasm and confidence in their partnership with Delta when he explained, “We are honored to continue expanding as the technology provider supporting Delta’s mission to offer fast, free Wi-Fi as part of its evolved customer experience. The speed and scale at which we have reached this milestone together—now with more than 1,000 aircraft planned—has been astounding and is a tribute to our collaboration.”
Delta’s aircraft will be equipped with Viasat’s Ka-band IFC system, which is designed for compatibility with both the company’s network of satellites and improved systems like the upcoming three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation. This system, which is scheduled to launch in April of this year, will have more than 1 terabit per second of throughput capacity, making it the highest-capacity broadband satellite of all time. ViaSat-3 will provide Delta with high-quality connectivity by combining throughput capacity with the ability to shift this capacity to meet demand where it is most concentrated.
As demand for air travel returns, airlines across the world are turning to updated technology to win over customers. Viasat will assist Delta in best serving its customers by providing consistent connectivity that will allow Delta to continue to provide its customers with a pleasant on-board experience.