Commercial flyers moved a step closer to in-flight wireless service with two new announcements Thursday.
ARINC Inc. will launch a high-capacity satellite broadband system for commercial airlines to build on its SkyLink satellite, the Maryland-based company announced. ARINC, which will showcase the new service at the World Airline Entertainment Association in September, said it is currently negotiating with several potential customers.
“Four domestic airlines have already expressed interest, and we’re in a second round of talks with three of them,” said Robert Thompson, senior director of ARINC Satellite Services.
Asiana Airlines has selected Boeing’s Connexion to provide high-speed Internet-based communications aboard its long-haul fleet. The technology is scheduled to be installed on Asiana’s 777-200ER by July of next year, with service to follow shortly after installation.
“Choosing Connexion by Boeing to address the in-flight communication needs of our passengers very much aligns with our goal to become recognized by our customers as the best airline in the world,” said Asiana’s Ghil Byung-Wui. “With Connexion, this innovative, new high-speed service will provide additional choices that our passengers now demand while in-flight.”
Terms of the Asiana deal were not disclosed.
