Airbus and SITA joint venture OnAir said Monday it has extended its agreement with Brazilian airline TAM Airlines to install in-flight connectivity systems on its entire long-haul fleet.
According to OnAir, the installations will extend to TAM’s 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 A330s and 27 A350s. The long-haul service will be rolled-out from the second half of 2012. Installation of the 31 short-haul planes has already started, with OnAir connectivity gradually coming into service by the beginning of next year. Including 31 short-haul aircraft, out of which four are already in service, a total of 80 aircraft will be equipped with OnAir’s services over the next coming few years.
"Passengers want to stay in touch during flights. We have seen that with the popularity of OnAir’s services on our short-haul aircraft. There is no doubt that inflight connectivity will become ubiquitous and we are determined to lead the way. That is why TAM will be the first airline in the Americas to provide the full range of passenger connectivity services on their long-haul fleet,” said José Zaidan Maluf, TAM’s supply and contracts vice president.