The next generation of aircraft at Icelandair will fly with the Viasat inflight Wi-Fi service on board. The companies confirmed this week that the new Airbus fleet will enter service – expected later this year – with the Ka-band satellite internet connection on board.
By expanding our high-speed streaming Wi-Fi offering to the new aircraft, we are doubling down on the state-of-the-art connectivity that has become a highly sought-after element of the Icelandair passenger experience.
– Helga Huld Bjarnadóttir, Director Product and Service Management, Icelandair
The A321LRs will join the airline’s 737 MAX fleet in flying with the Viasat service on board. While the release mentions Viasat serving the “complete” MAX fleet, PaxEx.Aero understands that some tails are still not installed. The 757s carry a competing in-flight internet product from Anuvu.
Viasat should be able to support the new aircraft and route profile without any issues under the existing satellite coverage footprint. As Don Buchman, VP and GM, Commercial Aviation at Viasat notes, “We understand the patterns of Icelandair’s operation and passenger demand for in-flight Wi-Fi, and we are excited to extend this experience and trust to include fast and resilient connectivity on the new Airbus aircraft.”
The aircraft will also feature in-seat entertainment via the Astrova solution from Panasonic Avionics. That deal was announced last December and at the time Viasat was seen as the likely supplier for the connectivity side of the IFE/C portfolio.
The deal only covers the LR models on order. Icelandair also holds orders for the A321XLR, but those are not expected to be delivered until the end of the decade. Committing to a connectivity provider now for those planes would be pretty silly.
More on Icelandair’s recent IFE/C moves:
- Icelandair selects Astrova for A321LR entertainment
- Icelandair plans A321XLR shift for fleet renewal
- Icelandair brings the MAX 9 online
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