Parata Airlines announced on Friday that it has inked a deal with Panasonic Avionics, a global leader in in-flight entertainment and communication systems, to introduce high-speed Wi-Fi on its flights.
The airline aims to offer Wi-Fi services on its long-haul routes, including flights to the U.S., scheduled to launch in the first half of next year.
As part of the agreement, Parata Airlines will progressively outfit three of its A330-200 aircraft with Panasonic’s cutting-edge in-flight high-speed Wi-Fi system.
The high-speed Wi-Fi service provided by Panasonic utilizes low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology, akin to SpaceX’s Starlink system.
LEO satellites, operating much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, significantly reduce latency, resulting in faster and more reliable connections.
This enhancement will allow passengers to enjoy a seamless experience for web browsing, messaging, and data-intensive activities such as video streaming.
The implementation of this system is a strategic move to elevate the in-flight experience for customers, ahead of the airline’s planned launch of long-haul international flights next year. Parata Airlines is set to commence U.S. flights in the first half of the year.
The airline intends to offer the high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi service complimentary to Business Smart Class passengers. For Comfort Class (economy) passengers, the airline is currently exploring various operational models for service provision.
Yoon Cheol-min, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Parata Airlines, stated that its investment in high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi aims to provide the customers with a connectivity experience in the sky that rivals what they’re accustomed to on the ground.
He further added that it’s committed to continually enhancing the in-flight services and digital content offerings to ensure the passengers enjoy an increasingly comfortable and satisfying travel experience.