Finnair launches best in market in-flight internet service on European flights
(Warsaw 25.7.2018) Finnair has launched as of July 19th new high-speed internet service on its narrow-body Airbus fleet on European flights.
The service has been installed on 6 of Finnair’s narrow body Airbus aircraft. By the end of this summer, about 20 such aircraft are expected to be installed with internet connectivity and the entire narrow-body Airbus fleet is expected to be internet connected by summer of 2019. Finnair already provides internet connection on all its long-haul flights.
Finnair customers are subsequently able to enjoy the industry’s fastest in-flight connection speeds – even gate-to-gate – and each customer can use the internet as they do on the ground, from web surfing and online shopping to listening to music and even watching movies and TV shows from popular video streaming services.
“We are very happy that we can offer our customers something truly special, a state-of-the-art internet connection on our European flights,” says Piia Karhu, SVP, Customer Experience at Finnair. “Customers can also enjoy the services we provide online through our Nordic Sky portal, such as the latest digital newspapers and shopping possibilities. Having an internet connection onboard also enables us to introduce new tools for our crew to improve the on-board customer experience.”
Finnair invites its customers to test the new European service free of charge during a two month testing period. During this period, Finnair gathers information on system functionality and feedback on the overall customer experience.
To deliver the high-speed in-flight internet service, Finnair partnered with global communications company, Viasat Inc.
“Finnair is a customer-focused airline that brings the latest technology to their fleet to ensure advanced passenger engagement. We’re proud to partner with them, and provide onboard internet experiences that deliver on unmatched speed and quality”, says Don Buchman, Viasat vice president and general manager, Commercial Aviation. ”In entering the passenger testing phase, we’ll be gaining the critical insights needed to further optimize our service to ensure Finnair customers get a unique experience built around their needs, interests and usage behaviors.”
Internet connection on European flights:
Coverage
Once the installations are complete, the in-flight internet connection will be available on most of Finnair’s European flights. There are some limitations above sea areas like the Bay of Biscay and the North Sea where the satellite coverage and connectivity are unavailable. Some restrictions also apply over Latvia, Lithuania, parts of Belarus and Russia. Restrictions may also apply to gate-to-gate internet service availability due to specific country and aviation agency regulations.
Pricing
Internet connectivity will be complimentary on European flights during the testing period, which lasts for two months. Finnair will communicate the pricing model during the autumn.
Nordic Sky portal
The Nordic Sky portal is available for all Finnair customers onboard aircraft equipped with an internet connection. Customers do not need to get an internet connection to access the Nordic Sky portal, but they can enjoy various digital services such as news, shopping, access to Finnair Customer Care and check their flight connections. Access to Nordic Sky portal is free of charge on all Finnair flights.
Device support
All Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones, tablets and laptops will be able to access the new high-speed in-flight internet service.
Further information:
Finnair Media Desk, +358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com
www.finnair.com, www.finnairgroup.com
www.twitter.com/Finnair
www.facebook.com/finnair
www.instagram.com/feelfinnair
www.youtube.com/finnair
Images: gallery.finnair.com
Finnair blog: blogs.finnair.com
Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, carrying more than ten million passengers annually. In 2017, Finnair's extensive network connects 18 cities in Asia and 7 cities in North America with over 100 destinations in Europe. The airline, a pioneer in sustainable flying, was the first European airline to fly the next-generation, eco-smart Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and it is the first airline listed in the Leadership Index of the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project. The only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, Finnair has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past nine years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.
