Communications company, Viasat has announced a new contract with United Airlines to have its latest generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system installed on more than 70 aircraft over the coming months, including at least 58 of United’s new Boeing 737MAX aircraft.
Viasat will serve as the direct in-flight internet service provider to United providing fast internet connections and powering United’s Private Screening entertainment option, which offers customers access to entertainment titles from its onboard library, direct to their own devices.
United will tap into Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band satellite system, which will include the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 satellite platforms. These platforms will enable Viasat to deliver fast internet to each connected device on an aircraft. The technology will also allow United to deliver internet connections gate-to-gate and perform over-the-air content uploads to its onboard entertainment system, ensuring its library of IFE content is up to date.