Norwegian connectivity includes complimentary tier
Norwegian announced this week the rollout of Basic and Premium high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity on the carrier’s 787-9 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft with one tier available complimentary throughout the flight.
The Basic option is free and will allow passengers to browse, stay-up-to-date on social media, send and receive emails and instant messages by using their personal mobile phones, tablets and laptops on board for the full length of the flight. Premium high-speed Wi-Fi will be available at an introductory price of $14.95 for a three-hour package. Passengers can select their preferred currency when choosing the Wi-Fi package.
The first Wi-Fi connected Norwegian 787-9 Dreamliner was delivered December 18 and features American author Mark Twain on its tailfin. The new aircraft has entered service, which marks the first time Norwegian passengers can experience free inflight Wi-Fi for the full duration of long-haul flights.
More than half of Norwegian’s 787-9 Dreamliner fleet is expected to offer inflight connectivity by 2020. The rollout of Wi-Fi on the airline’s 737 MAX aircraft will commence from mid-January 2019.
“We’re continuously improving the inflight customer experience and we’re delighted to be the first airline offering free Wi-Fi for the full duration of long-haul flights. Millions of Norwegian customers have already enjoyed free Wi-Fi over the skies of Europe and now long-haul passengers can continue to rely on free and high-speed Internet connectivity that will enhance and personalize their journeys. From being the first European airline to launch free Wi-Fi on all short-haul flights followed by free live television, Norwegian’s rollout of high-quality inflight broadband services will offer business and leisure travelers even greater value at affordable fares,” said Vice President Business Development Boris Bubresko, Norwegian, in today’s announcement.
Norwegian has selected the CabinConnect™ system by Collins Aerospace. Passengers will have highly secured access to content through CabinConnect including shows, inflight map and voice and messaging services through their devices.
CabinConnect uses the Inmarsat Global Aviation (GX) satellite network, specifically designed to offer passengers consistent, reliable high-speed global inflight connectivity. Inflight Wi-Fi works via an antenna fitted to each aircraft fuselage that communicates with Inmarsat’s GX satellite network.
“We are collaborating with Norwegian to achieve their vision of optimizing their aircraft and enterprise operations to address both cabin and flight deck requirements, as well as adding new capabilities for the future,” said LeAnn Ridgeway, Vice President of Information Management Services at Collins Aerospace.
In 2019, five brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 19 737 MAX aircraft will join Norwegian’s fleet. Norwegian currently operates 24 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of its overall Dreamliner fleet of 32 aircraft.
