The 2Ku service includes a mechanically-steered, phased-array antenna
(seen above) that will replace the gimballed antenna Intelsat originally
installed on the airline’s fleet nearly 10 years ago._
Intelsat To Deliver 2Ku Connectivity Upgrade to Japan Airlines
McLean, Va. – Intelsat [1], operator of the world’s largest
integrated satellite and terrestrial network and leading provider of
Inflight Connectivity (IFC) services, has reached an agreement with
long-time customer Japan Airlines (JAL) to upgrade about 50 Boeing 737s
and 767s to the company’s 2Ku inflight connectivity solution.
“We value the trust that JAL has placed in Intelsat throughout our
10-year relationship,” said Dave Bijur, senior vice president of
Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation. “JAL was Intelsat’s
first non-U.S. commercial aviation customer, and we look forward to
continuing to support JAL’s market-leading inflight connectivity
service in Japan where their guests enjoy free service.”
In addition to the fleet of Boeing 737s and 767s, JAL’s subsidiary
airline, J-AIR Co. Ltd. is currently installing Intelsat’s 2Ku system
on the carrier’s fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft. As recently
announced, J-AIR will complete installation of the 2Ku system on 14
E190s by the end of 2024. When completed, J-AIR will be the first
regional airline in Japan to offer inflight entertainment and
connectivity services.
“Intelsat has been a trusted partner of JAL since 2013,” said
Mitsuko Tottori, senior vice president of Customer Experience at Japan
Airlines. “Working with Intelsat, we are able to offer more robust
inflight connectivity for our passengers. We are proud to have been
among the first airlines in the world to offer free service for all
passengers flying on our domestic routes starting in 2017 and look
forward to the greater speed and reliability benefits the new 2Ku
terminals will bring.”
The 2Ku service includes a mechanically-steered, phased-array antenna
that will replace the gimballed antenna Intelsat originally installed on
the airline’s fleet nearly 10 years ago. The service is designed to
operate on today’s high-throughput satellites, as well as with
Intelsat’s fleet of new software-defined satellites (SDS) that will
enter service in 2025.
For more information about Intelsat’s commercial aviation connectivity
products, visit here. [2]
About Intelsat
Intelsat’s global team of professionals is focused on providing
seamless and secure, satellite-based communications to government, NGO
and commercial customers through the company’s next-generation
worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by
operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleet
and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their
tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the
skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six
decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry
“firsts” in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a
legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of
challenges Intelsat [3] team members now have their sights on the
“next firsts” in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the
digital transformation of the industry.
About Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL) was founded in 1951 and became the first
international airline in Japan. A member of the oneworld Alliance, the
airline now reaches 376 airports in 64 countries and regions together
with its codeshare partners with a modern fleet of 224 aircraft. JAL
Mileage Bank (JMB), the airline’s loyalty program, is one of the largest
mileage programs in Asia. Awarded as one of the most punctual major
international airlines and a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and a
“World Class” airline by APEX. JAL is committed to providing
customers with the highest levels of flight safety and quality in every
aspect of its service, and to becoming one of the most preferred
airlines in the world.
