LOT Polish Airlines, the flag carrier of Poland, says it has begun rolling out internet access on its long-haul fleet – with help from global communications company Viasat.
The Ka-band-supported in-flight connectivity (IFC) service is currently available on one Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane. It will be offered on two more aircraft by the end of April.
The new IFC offering is supplied by Viasat‘s Amara connectivity service. LOT signed with Viasat in mid-2024 to equip 15 Boeing aircraft in its fleet with in-flight Wi-Fi as part of a major upgrade that includes improvements to the internal cabin design and seat replacements.
On its launch in April last year Viasat described Amara as its next-generation solution for commercial aviation. Powering this solution are innovations in core satellite network design, hardware advancements, and a suite of digital products.
Coupled with additional features, including smart network enhancements and application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits, Viasat says Amara is designed with powerful scalability so that airlines can differentiate a future-proof onboard passenger experience.
The airline is supplying the service as a complimentary offering to business class and members of the European Miles & More loyalty programme. Paid access is available in two tiers: one geared toward messaging and another (at a higher price) geared towards streaming.
Viasat has signed new contracts or expansion deals with a number of airlines in Europe and the Middle East this year, including Lufthansa, Quantas, Korean Air and Royal Jordanian Airlines.
