Alaska Airlines to bring fast Wi-Fi to E175 regional jet fleet
Debuting on Horizon Air, the Wi-Fi service will be rolled out across Alaska’s regional jet fleet over a two-year period
Alaska Airlines has selected Intelsat to equip its E175 regional jet fleet with high-speed connectivity.
In a January 24 statement, the airline said Intelsat’s new system, the first to use an electronically steered array (ESA) to communicate with both traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites and new low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, closely aligns with its needs for its regional feet. This unique combination of using both LEO and GEO satellites enables higher speeds and more coverage, particularly across remote areas in the state of Alaska.
“Bringing a streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi solution to our regional jets is another key investment in modernizing our fleet, emphasizing innovation and taking care of our guests changing needs,” said Sangita Woerner, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience for Alaska Airlines, in the same statement.
“With the growth in remote work, we know staying connected at 34,000 feet is more important than ever. Intelsat’s new system will give our guests the peace of mind that no matter whether it’s a short flight or longer journey, there will be reliable, affordable and convenient Wi-Fi. It’s just another way we show care in the air,” she added.
The new system will debut on Horizon Air, Alaska’s sister airline, in early 2024 and roll out across its regional jet fleet, including partner SkyWest, over a two-year period. With nearly all Alaska’s mainline fleet set to feature satellite Wi-Fi from Intelsat by this coming April, the carrier is on track to provide consistent streaming-fast Wi-Fi across its entire fleet by 2026.
