Viasat announced a new contract with United Airlines to bring it’s latest generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity system to more than 70 aircraft, including at least 58 of United’s new Boeing 737MAX aircraft. This means Viasat will now be the direct in-flight internet service provider, deploying its most advanced IFEC system to provide United customers access to fast, reliable internet connections in-flight.
Viasat will serve as the direct in-flight ISP to United, deploying its most advanced IFEC system, in order to provide United customers access to fast, reliable internet connections from the air—for accessing websites to connecting with business applications such as a corporate VPN and secure email. Viasat’s IFEC system will also power United’s Private Screening entertainment option, which offers customers access to hundreds of entertainment titles from its onboard library direct to their own devices.
United will tap into Viasat’s advanced high-capacity Ka-band satellite system, which includes the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, and ViaSat-3 satellite platforms. These capacity-rich satellite platforms enable Viasat to deliver fast, high-quality in-flight internet service to each connected device on the aircraft. This technology allows United to deliver dependable internet connections gate-to-gate and perform over-the-air content uploads to its onboard entertainment system, ensuring its library has the most current content available.
Viasat is on something of a tear here. They won an order from American Airlines for its 737 MAX fleet. This may develop into something even bigger if the airline decides to switch away from Gogo‘s service. Then JetBlue also confirmed that it is upgrading its aircraft to utilize the ViaSat-2 satellite.
