United Airlines, Viasat Sign New Contract to Bring High-Speed Connectivity to New Aircraft

Feb. 8, 2018

Viasat Inc. announced a new contract with United Airlines (UAL) to bring Viasat's latest generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system to more than 70 aircraft, including at least 58 of United's new Boeing 737MAX aircraft.

Viasat will serve as the direct in-flight internet service provider to United, deploying its most advanced IFEC system, in order to provide United customers access to fast, reliable internet connections from the air—for accessing their favorite websites to connecting with key business applications such as a corporate VPN and secure email. Viasat's IFEC system will also power  United's Private Screening entertainment option, which offers customers access to hundreds of entertainment titles from its onboard library direct to their own devices.

"We're pleased to expand our relationship with United, now providing direct internet and entertainment services to them and their customers," said Don Buchman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Aviation, Viasat. "We're focused on optimizing customer satisfaction through great connectivity and entertainment. Our goal is to ensure United's customers are fully connected and enjoying their onboard connectivity and entertainment experiences."

United will tap into Viasat's advanced high-capacity Ka-band satellite system, which will include the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 satellite platforms. These capacity-rich satellite platforms will enable Viasat to deliver fast, high quality in-flight internet service to each connected device on the aircraft. This technology will allow United to deliver dependable internet connections gate-to-gate and perform over-the-air content uploads to its onboard entertainment system, ensuring its library has the most current content available.

Viasat is recognized as offering forward-thinking, capable and scalable connectivity service, allowing more customers to access high-quality content on more devices and across more aircraft simultaneously. Over the coming months, United will begin installing Viasat's IFEC system on its airframes, demonstrating its commitment to the onboard customer experience.