United Airlines Launches 100th Aircraft with Satellite Wi-Fi

Source: PRNewsFoto/United Airlines

[Via Satellite 10-15-13] United Airlines has launched its 100th aircraft equipped with satellite Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, and expects to have nearly 200 aircraft featuring the service by the end of 2013, the airline said Monday.

In January, United become the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer customers the ability to stay connected while traveling on long-haul overseas routes. Engineers are now outfitting approximately 30 aircraft each month with Gogo satellite Wi-Fi connectivity, as United looks to offer more passengers the ability to connect to the Internet via their personal electronic devices (PEDs).

The airline currently offers satellite Wi-Fi on 13 of its Boeing 747 aircraft and on more than half of its combined fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. United’s entire fleet of Boeing 757 transcontinental aircraft are equipped with air-to-ground Internet connectivity.

“United is improving the inflight experience and offering more customers the ability to stay connected, whether traveling throughout the country or abroad,” said Jeff Foland, executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. “The expansion of satellite Wi-Fi capability underscores our commitment to provide our customers with the user-friendly experience they expect from the world’s leading airline.”