Etihad Airways chooses Viasat as connectivity partner for new Boeing aircraft

Etihad Airways and Viasat announced details at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg this week about the provision of high-speed in-flight connectivity (IFC) and Live TV streaming solutions for Etihad’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

According to Viasat, the new Etihad Airways aircraft are being factory-installed with Viasat’s Ka-band connectivity system at the Boeing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, and planned to begin service in the third quarter of this year.

Viasat says it will enable streaming of four popular international channels and one Arabic channel for the Live TV service on board Etihad’s 787 Dreamliners to passengers’ personal electronic devices and seatback screens, including BBC Arabic, BBC World News, CNN International, CNBC, and Sport24.

Meherwan Polad, Viasat’s Chief Commercial Officer, Global Enterprise and Mobility, said: “We’re thrilled that Etihad Airways – a highly innovative and passenger-centric airline – has chosen Viasat as its connectivity partner on their new Boeing aircraft. This relationship marks an important step for our business in the Middle East, where we will bring powerful in-flight connections to passengers virtually anywhere.”