Southwest chooses Viasat for IFE
May 12, 2022
By Chris Forrester
California-based Viasat has won the contract to connect Southwest Airlines to its satellite broadband In-Flight Communications system.
Factory installs of the Viasat equipment onto Southwest’s airlines will start this autumn.
Southwest Airlines says it will provide customers enhanced internet capabilities while onboard, including the ability to stream content and entertainment, watch live television, and access social media platforms and productivity applications on any internet-ready device, gate-togate. Streaming-capable Wi-Fi requires a fast and robust data connection — especially to deliver high quality service on all connected devices while in-flight, regardless of how many passengers are using the system.
Viasat says its technology solves a key challenge in providing high quality connectivity in aviation by addressing variable concentrated demand, such as many aircraft in the same geographical area – at airport hubs or traveling on popular flight routes. The bandwidth advantage and flexibility offered by Viasat’s satellite network provides a consistently high quality, high-speed, and content-rich in-flight Wi-Fi experience.
Don Buchman, Viasat’s VP/GM Commercial Aviation, added: “We admire Southwest Airlines’ deeply customer-centric vision. The overall passenger experience is enhanced by delivering connectivity inflight that is the same as the on the ground experience, from streaming your favorite video content to live television and accessing other internet-based applications during all phases of flight. We look forward to being a part of Southwest’s commitment to continually upping the bar.”