Delta to Install 2Ku Inflight Wi-Fi on More Aircraft

Delta Air Lines has increased its commitment to 2Ku, Gogo's inflight Wi-Fi technology, by at least 350 aircraft. This brings Delta's total 2Ku commitment to more than 600 aircraft in its mainline fleet.

2Ku installation has already started on Delta's Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A319 fleets, and additional fleets will be retrofitted with the new system.

By the end of 2016, Delta will operate more than 35 aircraft with 2Ku. The technology uses dual Ku-band satellite antennas – one receiver for the upward link to the aircraft, and the other for the downward, return link to the ground.

Delta has completed installation of Ku-band satellite Wi-Fi on nearly all of its wide-body international fleet – including Boeing 747, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft as well as Boeing 757 aircraft operating on long-haul routes – and will be 100% complete by September 2016.

2Ku service will be offered on Airbus A330-900Neo and A350-900 aircraft when they enter Delta's fleet in 2019 and 2017, respectively.

In late 2016, Delta will launch IPTV, giving customers the ability to watch live TV from their own devices on 2Ku-enabled aircraft.

"Delta customers have expressed an interest in their time in the air being as productive as their time on the ground, and 2Ku satellite offers a vastly upgraded inflight Wi-Fi experience," said Tim Mapes, Delta's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "By committing to more aircraft with 2Ku technology, we're providing Delta customers with faster and more reliable in-flight connectivity as a part of Delta's commitment to always delivering the industry's best on-board services."

Delta operates one of the world's largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleets, with more than 3,500 connected flights daily, including its entire fleet of 660 domestic mainline aircraft. More than 1,000 Delta aircraft, including nearly all Delta Connection two-class regional jets and 99% of its long-haul international fleet are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi service, offering access to more than 370,000 customers per day.

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