Air New Zealand gets connected with in-flight Wi-Fi
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Air New Zealand has confirmed that it will start introducing in-flight Wi-Fi in 2017.
The national carrier’s CEO, Christopher Luxon, made the announcement at a travel trade event in Sydney this week, saying that trans-Tasman flights between Australia and New Zealand would be the first to get connected.
“Air New Zealand is in the final stages of commercial negotiations with Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics with internet connectivity,” Luxon revealed. “Proving flights will begin in the second half of 2017 and world-class internet services progressively available on Tasman, Pacific Island and long-haul jet fleets from the end of next year.”
Following this international roll-out, Air New Zealand plans to launch Wi-Fi on its domestic jet aircraft services from 2018.
The new service will be supplied by Inmarsat’s global GX satellite constellation and integrated with Air New Zealand’s in-flight entertainment system, which is provided by Panasonic Avionics. This, according to Luxon, will deliver fast and reliable Wi-Fi even when flying across remote parts of the world.
“Given Air New Zealand operates some of the longest flights in the world, and in oceanic areas where there has historically been poor quality satellite service, we have patiently worked with partners until comfortable that a service which meets the high expectations of our customers is available,” the CEO said.
“Proving flights on a partner company test aircraft have now given us the confidence to introduce what we believe will be the world’s most reliable in-flight connectivity. Customers will be able to use their social media channels, stay on top of emails and browse the internet,” he added.
In addition, Air New Zealand said the new Wi-Fi service would enable it to improve the “real-time features” of its in-flight entertainment system and allow flight crews to improve customer service by helping them with their ground transport arrangements prior to landing.
Air New Zealand has not revealed how much it will charge for the Wi-Fi service, with details of the operating business model due to be announced in the first half of 2017.
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