Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) announced that its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) network will provide connectivity as part of SES’s multi-orbit inflight service selected by Finnish airline, Finnair.
Under the agreement, 18 Embraer E2 aircraft will be equipped with inflight connectivity using Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network. OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity, combined with SES’s GEO services, will support a fast, responsive inflight experience for Finnair passengers, helping them stream content, work online and stay connected throughout their journey.
Already serving more than 10 airlines worldwide, Eutelsat’s OneWeb network is expanding its presence in commercial aviation and business aviation, with further airline deployments soon to follow. Finnair’s selection further expands Eutelsat’s aviation footprint and demonstrates the continued adoption of multi-orbit connectivity solutions by leading airlines who are seeking to enhance the passenger experience for years to come.
Thierry Polycarpe, Vice President for Aviation and Maritime at Eutelsat, said: “Finnair’s selection is further evidence of the value OneWeb brings to inflight connectivity. Our high-speed, low-latency network supports the real-time applications passengers increasingly expect on board and complements GEO to deliver a more resilient inflight service. We are proud to work with SES on this deployment as more airlines embrace the capabilities of Europe’s only operational LEO constellation.”
Blane Boynton, Senior Vice President Aviation at SES said, “Inflight Wi-Fi is a core part of the travel experience. SES’s multi-orbit network delivers the reliability, performance and flexibility airlines need today while providing a clear path for future growth. This agreement is another testament to the growing confidence leading airlines are placing in our solution.”
Simon Large, Chief Customer Officer, Finnair said, “Customer needs are at the heart of everything we do at Finnair, and connectivity is an increasingly important part of the overall travel experience. We are excited to partner with SES to bring a home-like broadband experience to our customers.”
