[Satellite TODAY 11-08-11] United Continental Holdings selected Panasonic Avionics to provide Ku-band satellite-powered Wi-Fi connectivity in all cabins on more than 300 United Airlines and Continental Airlines aircraft beginning in mid-2012, the commercial airline group confirmed Nov. 7.

   United Continental will use Panasonic’s satellite air-to-ground technology (ATG) to provide connectivity on flights worldwide and to enable wireless streaming of video content. The service aims to enable airline customers to use wireless devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets onboard United Continental aircraft to connect with Internet service using in-flight hotspots. The airline group has scheduled its entire mainline fleet for Wi-Fi installation by 2015. This includes integration of the Panasonic system on Airbus 319 and 320 and Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft.

   “Our customers tell us they value Wi-Fi,” United Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton said in a statement. “As a global carrier, United is especially pleased that the Ku-band technology will enable customers to stay connected on longer overseas flights, something no other U.S.-based international carrier currently offers.”

   Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Continental Airlines previously announced plans to install Wi-Fi on more than 200 DirecTV-equipped aircraft beginning in 2012.