Intelsat’s 2Ku system has been installed on the first of J-AIR’s E190 aircraft. 13 additional aircraft will have the solution installed by the fall of 2024. (Photo: J-AIR)
In an announcement this week, Intelsat and Japan Airlines Co. shared news of the launch of Intelsat’s connectivity service on Embraer E190 aircraft for J-AIR, a subsidiary airline of Japan Airlines. The first of J-AIR’s E190 aircraft has already had Intelsat’s 2Ku system installed. 13 more aircraft will see the system installed by the fall of 2024.
Now, J-AIR will be the first in Japan to offer in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) services on regional aircraft, according to the announcement.
Keisuke Suzuki, SVP, Customer Experience of Japan Airlines, remarked on their close collaboration with Intelsat’s team to deliver high-quality connectivity. “Intelsat’s capable and reliable 2Ku system will provide miles of entertainment to our customers making J-AIR the first regional aircraft offering the IFC services in Japan,” Suzuki commented in the press release.
Dave Bijur, senior vice president of Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation, was also quoted in the announcement of the 2KU system launch, saying, “Adding 2Ku will enable the same free inflight internet experience they have had since 2017 on the larger jets. For Intelsat, this is a great showcase for other E190 operators around the world who want to offer a free service to all their passengers.”
Virgin Australia is another airline that recently selected the 2Ku satellite connectivity solution that Intelsat offers. It announced in October that Intelsat’s IFC service will be installed on the airline’s existing fleet of Boeing 737 NG aircraft and on 737 MAX aircraft in future deliveries.
Jeff Sare, President of Intelsat Commercial Aviation, shared thoughts on the future of connectivity at the recent APEX Expo in Long Beach, California. “It’s all about the passenger experience,” he said. “At the end of the day, if a passenger on an airplane isn’t getting the service they need, they’re going to complain.”