Virgin America to offer Netflix over inflight WiFi

New and existing Netflix members can enjoy the entire Netflix catalog.

Netflix and Virgin America are joining forces to provide complimentary in-flight WiFi access that allows new and existing Netflix members to enjoy the entire Netflix catalog.

The experience is made possible by Virgin America’s recent connectivity partnership with ViaSat, which brings significantly faster WiFi to the airline’s 10 new airbus A320 aircraft being delivered from fall 2015 to mid-2016.

The partnership uses ViaSat’s satellite-based in-flight internet service to enable Virgin America’s passengers to experience internet speeds similar to what they expect at home.

The first aircraft with the new WiFi entered service this month.

The new ViaSat service will be rolling out to about one aircraft a month through June 2016 – and the WiFi service will be complimentary for passengers until March 2, 2016.

How it works

VX-Netflix-ipad

Passengers on aircraft equipped with the new ViaSat WiFi service will be notified by the Virgin America in-flight team that they can access high-speed WiFi.

They can then open their browser and login for free by selecting the “VirginAmerica” ViaSat network and will then be prompted to either login to their existing Netflix account or to create a new, 30-day free trial account, after which they will then be connected to the Netflix service at 35,000 feet, just like they would on the ground.

Existing account holders will be able to access Netflix through their mobile device, tablet or laptop onboard ViaSat equipped Virgin America aircraft at no additional cost through March 2, 2016, while new members can sign up to enjoy a free 30-day free Netflix trial – good for use both in the air, on Virgin America’s ViaSat-equipped aircraft, or on the ground.

N.B. Image credit: virginamerica.com

Internet links

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