United Airlines plans to outfit more than 200 two-cabin United Express regional jets with Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment, with the first Wi-Fi-enabled flights expected later this year.
The airline intends to install Gogo’s ATG-4 advanced air-to-ground Wi-Fi product on E170, E175 and CRJ700 aircraft and to complete planned installations by next summer.
Additionally, United and Gogo have agreed to partner on offering in-flight entertainment on two-cabin regional jets, beginning early next year, enabling passengers to watch movies and television shows on their Wi-Fi enabled devices.
Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy:
“United is pleased to extend our growing Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment platform to our fleet of larger regional jets. These new elements will enhance the entire in-flight experience for our customers.”
Michael Small, Gogo’s president and CEO:
“United has been a great partner of ours and we are excited to extend our in-flight Internet service to a large part of their regional fleet,” said “We are also excited to bring their passengers personal device entertainment, as we have long believed that you need multiple technologies to service the needs of all aircraft types and each route that those aircraft fly.”
Along with regional jet Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment, late next year, United plans to begin a trial of Gogo’s 2Ku satellite Wi-Fi on five of the carrier’s aircraft that operate its p.s. “Premium Service” between New York JFK and Los Angeles and New York JFK and San Francisco. These aircraft currently offer Gogo’s ATG-4 product.
Regional Jet Investments
United has announced significant investments in its United Express service, including:
- A fleet of 120 brand new E175 regional jets, which offer 12 seats in United First with in-seat power, 16 United Economy Plus seats, and larger overhead bins throughout the aircraft;
- New, modern seats with a signature seat design on more than 100 CRJ700 aircraft and on the E175 fleet; and
- Freshly prepared food for premium-cabin customers on United Express flights beginning in 2015.
Wi-Fi and Entertainment Investments
The launch of regional jet Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment is United’s latest investment in its customers’ in-flight connectivity. The airline also offers:
More than 340 aircraft with Wi-Fi, including nearly two-thirds of its mainline domestic fleet, with plans to install Wi-Fi on the entire mainline fleet by mid-2015; and
More than 180 mainline aircraft with personal device entertainment, including all Boeing 747s and Airbus aircraft and nine Boeing 777s that primarily fly between the continental U.S. and Hawaii. United plans to offer personal device entertainment on more than 200 mainline aircraft by the end of this year.
N.B. Image credit: unitedcontinentalholdings.com
