SES has a new agreement to equip 18 Finnair Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with multi-orbit inflight connectivity, enabling the Finnish flag carrier’s passengers to make use of fast, reliable internet access during their journeys.
Under the agreement, the Embraer E2 aircraft, which will be line-fitted at Embraer, will be equipped with SES’s electronically steered array antenna (ESA), which offers reliable connectivity to a multi-orbit network, combining SES’s geostationary (GEO) satellite services with low-earth orbit (LEO) capacity from its partner Eutelsat. The first connected aircraft is expected to enter service in 2027.
The new service will support Finnair’s ambition to provide passengers with a seamless connected experience from gate to destination. Customers will be able to stay in touch, stream content, work online and access digital services with the same ease and confidence they increasingly expect on the ground.
Simon Large, Chief Customer Officer at Finnair, commented: “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.”
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, commented: “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.”
