The skies over Japan will be a bit more connected starting in 2014 thanks to a deal between Japan Airlines and in-flight internet provider Gogo. The deal calls for the entire domestic JAL fleet – 77 planes – to be fitted with Gogo’s gear, keeping them online during their flights within the country. The addition of internet services is part of a larger plan which will also see a number of other upgrades to the JAL domestic fleet, including new seats and more flights with a premium cabin offering.
Unlike the service with their USA-based partners the JAL/Gogo implementation will be satellite-only; this is the first Ku-only partner gogo has signed on with. Using Ku-band service will allow Gogo and JAL to take advantage of existing satellite coverage in the area and to have the systems online in mid-2014. JAL indicated in their release that the service would be fee-based, not complimentary.
Moving forward with a wholly satellite-based solution reinforces Gogo’s place as a technology-agnostic provider of connectivity in the aviation market. So long as the platform is reliable Gogo is willing to consider it as a base for their service. As connectivity platforms mature that positioning bodes well for Gogo; being able to adapt their solution to any connection, not just ones they manage directly, should open up more opportunities such as this one down the line.
Never miss another post: Sign up for email alerts and get only the content you want direct to your inbox.
