MONTREAL and CHICAGO – Air Canada will soon offer satellite connectivity on international flights, allowing customers to email, surf the internet and stream entertainment at broadband speeds.
Air Canada is presently the only Canadian carrier offering customers in-flight Wi-Fi across its entire fleet of narrow-body aircraft in North America. Under the new agreement, Gogo's 2Ku connectivity technology will be installed on Air Canada's wide-body international aircraft, starting with the Boeing 777 this fall.
"Air Canada is pleased to announce it will offer customers the ability to stay connected whenever and wherever they fly by extending in-flight, North American connectivity to its wide-body aircraft flying overseas using satellite technology," said Air Canada passenger airlines president Benjamin Smith, in Monday’s news release. "While business travelers will welcome satellite Wi-Fi service as a productivity tool, it will have widespread appeal for all travelers by allowing them to stay in touch, access the internet and enjoy additional entertainment options throughout their entire journey."
"The performance of Gogo's 2Ku technology is unmatched in global aviation today and is built on the concept of an open system with the ability to leverage dozens of Ku-band satellites in orbit”, added Gogo president and CEO Michael Small. “We've also built it to leverage any of the new Ku-band LEO satellite constellations coming on line in the future. This system design will enable Air Canada to continue to deliver industry leading connectivity to its passengers for the foreseeable future.”
