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Royal Jordanian Airlines selects Viasat to bring Wi-Fi to fleet

The company plans to roll-out the Wi-Fi on board its E2 Embraer Jets by the end of this month.

Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) and Viasat Inc. have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at prioritising high-speed Wi-Fi to enhance the future passenger experience. Under this agreement, Royal Jordanian Airlines will deploy Viasat’s in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution across multiple fleets, aligning with the airline’s strategic plan to expand and modernise its aircraft.

The initiative will see more than 40 total aircraft equipped with Viasat connectivity systems, with plans to factory-install the system on new Embraer E2, Airbus A320, Airbus 321, and Boeing 787-9 fleets. Additionally, the airline intends to retrofit its Boeing 787-8 widebody aircraft with the advanced Wi-Fi solution.

The connectivity service is designed to offer passengers a premium online experience, featuring fast internet speeds, streaming entertainment options, real-time communication capabilities, and productivity tools to keep passengers and crew connected throughout the flight. Viasat’s advanced in-flight Wi-Fi will be accessible on various flight routes in the Middle East region and beyond, with different aircraft types catering to short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul routes.

Commenting on the new IFC partnership, Samer Majali, Vice Chairman / Board Designee CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines, said: “We are committed to providing our passengers with a superior in-flight experience. By introducing high-speed streaming Wi-Fi on our new fleets, and even installing it on some aircraft of our existing fleet, we are enabling state-of-the-art connectivity while in-flight, and providing passengers with an enhanced and curated entertainment experience. We are looking forward to introducing the first Wi-Fi on board our E2 Embraer Jets arriving by the end of this month.”

Don Buchman, VP and GM of Commercial Aviation at Viasat, added: “As Royal Jordanian Airlines looks to enhance its passenger experience for the future, we are proud to be part of enabling a next-level experience through fast and resilient connectivity wherever Royal Jordanian Airlines flies. We have worked closely with the team at Royal Jordanian Airlines to develop a solution that will match its goals and provide an advanced experience for passengers. We look forward to a successful relationship for many years to come.”

The adoption of Viasat’s IFC solution is gaining traction globally, driven by its capacity to meet high demand and deliver a consistently high-quality, high-speed, and content-rich in-flight Wi-Fi experience. With anticipated flight routes across the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, Royal Jordanian Airlines will leverage Viasat’s high-speed, high-capacity Ka-band satellite network, including the forthcoming ViaSat-3 constellation, once launched and in service.