Etihad Airways has launched its first A330-200 aircraft fitted with its new “Etihad Wi-Fly” internet and mobile connectivity.
The technology is powered by the Panasonics Avionics Global Communications Suite, and will be fitted to ten aircraft by the end of 2013, with all Etihad aircraft featuring some form of in-flight connectivity by the end of 2014.
All narrow-body aircraft will have data and mobile connectivity, while all wide-bodies will also feature wifi internet access.
The wifi service costs US13.95 for one hour, or US$24.95 for 24 hours, and will be free for Diamond First customers. Mobile phone use will be charged according to the individual passenger’s international roaming rates.
The first A330-200 fitted with Etihad Wi-Fly will be used on long-haul services to cities including Brussels, Dublin, Manchester, Munich, Frankfurt and Milan.
Etihad also has an existing agreement with OnAir, which provides connectivity on three of the carrier’s A320s and three A330-300s (see online news January 18).
Announcing the launch of Etihad Wi-Fly, the carrier’s president and CEO James Hogan said that the internet offering is “high-speed, in line with what our guests would experience at home or at work, so we believe this will be hugely popular”.
For more information visit etihadairways.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
