Fast wifi is comming fall 2017
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
Fast wifi is comming fall 2017
SAS will invest 500 mio. SEK to install wifi on all (their own) single aisle aircraft with the first aircraft ready in second half of 2017.
Provider will be ViaSat and Eutelsat’s European satellite connectivity. Onboard speed will be at least 12 Mbps to each passenger. Wifi will be offered gate to gate.
First aircraft will be the A320neo, which also will have USB outlets at seats, extra leg room and more comfortable seats – is the promises in the press release from SAS.
In addition, 70 existing cabins will be upgraded between 2017 and mid-2019.
Wifi will be free on short haul flights for all Eurobonus members and SAS Plus ticket holders.
Provider will be ViaSat and Eutelsat’s European satellite connectivity. Onboard speed will be at least 12 Mbps to each passenger. Wifi will be offered gate to gate.
First aircraft will be the A320neo, which also will have USB outlets at seats, extra leg room and more comfortable seats – is the promises in the press release from SAS.
In addition, 70 existing cabins will be upgraded between 2017 and mid-2019.
Wifi will be free on short haul flights for all Eurobonus members and SAS Plus ticket holders.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
But in the broader scale, very few airlines offer free Internet. So in the general scale of things, the offer as stated is pretty decent....
#4
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond, Delta Skymiles 360, BAEC LTG, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
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Offer-wise its the same as on their long-haul aircraft. I find 12 Mbps to each passenger a stretch, that's what you get to the whole plane at the moment and is shared by everyone on-board.
Nonetheless, the wi-fi on SK's long-haul flights is actually useable and I benefit from it so I can only welcome it on their short-haul flights as well. If its really as fast as advertised, even better.
Nonetheless, the wi-fi on SK's long-haul flights is actually useable and I benefit from it so I can only welcome it on their short-haul flights as well. If its really as fast as advertised, even better.
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
It works - some times. At times it can be a hassle to get a slot and doing anything meaningful. At other times it is ok for simple tasks such as mails. Problem: you can't trust it before boarding. Based on my only 6 DY-flights.
#8
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#9
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Posts: 1,273
#10
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Their E is *G so it's like EBG and E+ is EBD.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: TK E+
Posts: 602
But it either don't work or is not available, so it doesn't really matter how free it is On my 200K++ miles on TK metal per year, I think I can count on one hand the flights where it was actually possible to use the internet connection.
#12
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Given Norwegian is eating into SAS's network so very extensively, it seems like SK is slowly playing catch up but who knows if they are going far enough.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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JetBlue is the largest carrier based in the Americas to offer free, general-use wi-fi to passengers free of any requirements to be a member of a program or to be flying a premium class of service. Norwegian is the largest carrier based in Europe to do the same.
Given Norwegian is eating into SAS's network so very extensively, it seems like SK is slowly playing catch up but who knows if they are going far enough.
Given Norwegian is eating into SAS's network so very extensively, it seems like SK is slowly playing catch up but who knows if they are going far enough.
The question really is how high up on the list of reasons to select an airline wifi really is. And then how much higher free wifi is. And how much additional RPK(M) it generates.
My best guess to why it is not universally free on SK is not for the few customers they will be selling it to, but for the potential of expanding the marketing database called Eurobonus membership.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: TK E+
Posts: 602
This is a really good question. In this time of age we are online 24/7 and personally I actually enjoy those hours on the plane where I can be completely offline, without feeling bad about it. However, I'm mostly flying Scandinavia - Asia back and forth, so I fly at night. I do see the practical in being able to work while flying Scandinavia to the US during day time.
#15
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Its a tremendous expense with very little return. Everything is soft facts, not really hard revenue. SAS will know what exactly is going on with their aircraft and save (a bit) on line maintenance. Delayed pax can potentially check and rebook their flights. IFE will be available to all. Some may even pay a bit to watch premium IFE. Does this justify such an expense? I'm 100% certain no one will book SAS because of that little additional feature. Especially when in competition with DY/FR.
The Viasat solution is based on a limited time Eutelsat deal: http://blog.wandr.me/2016/09/surfing...t-haul-fleets/
The Intelsat solution LH is installing is handed over to T-Mobile, who is actually paying LH to install it, or rather is leasing space onboard. T-Mobile plans to install phone hotspots and grab mobile data traffic etc. The same model already is implemented on longhaul.
The Viasat solution is based on a limited time Eutelsat deal: http://blog.wandr.me/2016/09/surfing...t-haul-fleets/
The Intelsat solution LH is installing is handed over to T-Mobile, who is actually paying LH to install it, or rather is leasing space onboard. T-Mobile plans to install phone hotspots and grab mobile data traffic etc. The same model already is implemented on longhaul.