United Airlines launches Panasonic Ku-band satellite Wi-Fi on a Boeing 747. The connectivity solution offers customers two speeds of service at different price points.

The aircraft is the first of its international widebody aircraft to feature the connectivity product. United has also outfitted Ku-band Wi-Fi on two domestic Airbus A319 aircraft. It will install the satellite-based Wi-Fi on Airbus A319s and A320s, and on Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft. It anticipates complete installation of the service across 300 mainline aircraft by the end of 2013.

“Satellite-based Wi-Fi service enables us to better serve our customers and offer them more of what they want in a global airline,” United Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton said.

United Continental Holdings selected Panasonic Avionics to supply the service in November 2011.