Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network and provider of Inflight Connectivity (IFC) services, has reached an agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) to upgrade about 50 Boeing 737s and 767s to the its 2Ku inflight connectivity solution.
What does the partnership mean for passengers?
The 2Ku service includes a mechanically-steered, phased-array antenna that will replace the gimballed antenna Intelsat originally installed on the airline’s fleet nearly 10 years ago. The service is designed to operate on today’s high-throughput satellites, as well as with Intelsat’s fleet of new software-defined satellites (SDS) that will enter service in 2025.
In addition to the fleet of Boeing 737s and 767s, JAL’s subsidiary airline, J-AIR Co. Ltd. is also installing Intelsat’s 2Ku system on the carrier’s fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft. J-AIR will complete installation of the 2Ku system on 14 E190s by the end of 2024. Upon completion, J-AIR will be the first regional airline in Japan to offer inflight entertainment and connectivity.
What does this mean for Intelsat and Japan Airlines?
“We value the trust that JAL has placed in Intelsat throughout our 10-year relationship. JAL was Intelsat’s first non-U.S. commercial aviation customer, and we look forward to further supporting JAL’s market-leading inflight connectivity service in Japan where their guests enjoy free service,” commented Dave Bijur, SVP of Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation.
“Intelsat has been a trusted partner of JAL since 2013. Working with Intelsat, we are able to offer more robust inflight connectivity for our passengers. We are proud to have been among the first airlines in the world to offer free service for all passengers flying on our domestic routes starting in 2017 and look forward to the greater speed and reliability benefits the new 2Ku terminals will bring,” said Mitsuko Tottori, SVP of Customer Experience at Japan Airlines.
For more information about Intelsat’s commercial aviation connectivity products, visit here.
