Viasat
EL AL to equip the majority of its fleet with Viasat IFC service. Credit: Colin Brown.

Communications company Viasat has secured a contract to deploy its in-flight connectivity (IFC) for EL AL Israel Airlines’ Boeing 777 fleet.

Viasat is already offering its IFC service across EL AL’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737-900 and part of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The airline is also planning to equip all of its widebody aircraft and narrow-body fleet with Viasat’s latest IFC solution and in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC), respectively.

The service is expected to be operational on most of EL AL fleet by the end of next year.

Viasat Commercial Aviation vice-president and general manager Don Buchman said: “EL AL takes great pride in being an innovative airline, and they continue to push the in-flight connectivity boundaries.

“EL AL was first to launch Viasat’s fast IFC service in Europe and the Middle East; first to deploy high-speed internet on transatlantic flights using the advanced ViaSat-2 satellite, and are now the first airline to bring IFC to the Boeing 777 aircraft for global routes before the launch of our ViaSat-3 satellite constellation.

“Enabling high-speed, high-quality internet to their full fleet confirms their dedication to bringing customers and crew fast, reliable connectivity service, no matter where they fly.”

The national air carrier of Israel runs flights to 36 direct destinations and carries five million passengers annually. It operates 42 aircraft.

The Viasat in-flight Wi-Fi service allows flight crews to offer an enhanced experience to passengers, who, in turn, can remain connected across all platforms.

In September, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) selected Viasat’s IFC system for its new Airbus A321LR and A330-300E aircraft.