Viasat and Deutsche Telekom Boost European Aviation Network In-flight Broadband Coverage in Mediterranean Sea

- Additional ground stations enhance Viasat’s award-winning connectivity solution.

- Airline customers, including the Greek flag carrier AEGEAN, to benefit from improved service on flights to and from Cyprus.

Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and Deutsche Telekom, announced this week a ground network expansion for Viasat’s award-winning European Aviation Network (EAN) to further support in-flight broadband service in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Set to meet growing demand from airline passengers, three new ground stations are now operating in the region to complement more than 300 ground network antenna sites already set up across Europe. These sites will provide enhanced capacity to EAN’s existing satellite coverage.

The enhanced capacity is particularly beneficial for passengers flying to and from Cyprus with the award-winning Greek airline AEGEAN. The airline launched its in-flight connectivity service, powered by EAN, in 2022 to enhance its onboard passenger experience; since early this year, AEGEAN is offering free Wi-Fi access to all its passengers. 

To date, more than one million passengers have enjoyed the in-flight connectivity service since launch. The service is being installed on AEGEAN’s Airbus A320 and A321, covering both existing aircraft and upcoming deliveries. 

Icelandair selects Viasat for inflight connectivity on new Airbus fleet

The Icelandic carrier Icelandair has chosen Viasat, a global leader in satellite communications, to provide inflight Wi-Fi systems for the airline's new fleet of Airbus A321XLR and A321LR aircraft. 

Icelandair is expecting to put the new jets on services between Iceland and major cities in Europe, as well as on transatlantic flights, to various destinations in the U.S. The Airbus aircraft are scheduled to start being delivered to the carrier in the last quarter of this year.

Viasat's satellite connectivity service will be configured to provide a high-quality, fast online experience on all routes Icelandair serves, including streaming entertainment, and real-time productivity tools, keeping passengers and crew connected throughout the flight.

While providing fast in-flight connectivity across popular flight corridors and busy airport hubs, Icelandair will benefit from Viasat's focus on serving the aviation market – which it does through a combination of high throughput satellite capacity and the ability to flex that capacity, to meet demand where it peaks and is most concentrated. Thanks to this, together Viasat and Icelandair can provide a consistently high quality, high-speed, and content-rich in-flight Wi-Fi experience, even during times of intense demand.

"For several years now, we have enjoyed a great partnership with Icelandair while servicing its complete Boeing 737 MAX fleet," said Don Buchman, VP and GM, Commercial Aviation at Viasat. "We understand the patterns of Icelandair's operation and passenger demand for in-flight Wi-Fi, and we are excited to extend this experience and trust to include fast and resilient connectivity on the new Airbus aircraft."

"By expanding our high-speed streaming Wi-Fi offering to the new aircraft, we are doubling down on the state-of-the-art connectivity that has become a highly sought-after element of the Icelandair passenger experience," said Helga Huld Bjarnadóttir, Director of Product and Service Management, Icelandair. "Viasat has proven to be an innovative and trusted partner for how we approach the future of Wi-Fi at Icelandair, and we look forward to continuing this into the future."

Earlier this month, Icelandair confirmed it had selected Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to power the 35 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, comprising a mix of leased and purchased A321XLR and A321LR aircraft.  The carrier also selected an EngineWise agreement for the long-term maintenance, repair and overhaul of its GTF engines. Pratt & Whitney will provide support to facilitate smooth entry into service and efficient long-term operation of the engines.

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