Beirut, February 08, 2018
British Airways has started powering some of its long-haul aircraft with high-speed Wi-Fi, with its first three connected aircraft now in service. The airline will connect 118 of its long-haul aircraft over the next two years.
Customers will be advised of the availability of Wi-Fi when they board a connected aircraft allowing them to browse and stream from the comfort of their seat.
Using the latest generation technology, British Airways will provide high-speed bandwidth to customers, with internet being available approximately 10 minutes after take-off when the aircraft has passed 10,000ft. The portal will work with the latest operating systems from Apple, Android and Windows, allowing customers to connect on a variety of devices.
To celebrate the launch, British Airways is partnering with Visa to connect customers on board the first Wi-Fi enabled flights. For a limited time, customers will be able to connect to high speed Wi-Fi and enjoy an hour of free browsing and streaming, courtesy of Visa.
Customers can choose from two paid-for Wi-Fi packages including the ‘Browse’ package, which supports internet surfing, social media and WhatsApp, or the ‘Stream’ package, which supports streaming of music and entertainment, from the very best online content services, including Netflix*. The packages are available to purchase for one hour, four hours or the full flight.
Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ director of brand and customer experience, said “British Airways has launched its multi-million-pound investment plan to benefit its customers with more choice and quality for all.
Staying connected is important to our customers who want to be able to work, browse and stream in the air. They can now look forward to enjoying the latest generation Wi-Fi across our long-haul fleet over the next two years.”
British Airways has launched its multi-million-pound investment plan to benefit its customers with a focus on excellence in the premium cabins and more choice and quality for all.
Six hundred million pounds will be spent on Club World with an emphasis on improved catering and sleep, and a new seat in the future. At Heathrow a First Wing check-in area with direct security and lounge access has launched, and lounges around the airline’s network are to be revamped and improved and all customers can look forward to the latest generation Wi-Fi across British Airways’ long-haul and short-haul fleets over the next two years.
Notes to Editors
Prices for the Browse package begin from £4.99 and Stream from £7.99.
* Netflix allows customers to pick from Hollywood movies, top TV shows, documentaries, independent films, stand-up comedy, a wide range of kids titles and the latest new Netflix’s Original such as Bright or Altered Carbon.
About British Airways:
In 2018, British Airways completed 85 years of successful operations to the Middle East. Today the carrier operates multiple daily flights from the region to London Heathrow offering customers excellent onward connections to over 200 destinations.
- Six hundred million pounds will be spent on Club World with an emphasis on improved catering and sleep, and a new seat in the future. At Heathrow a First Wing check-in area with direct security and lounge access has launched, and lounges around the airline’s network are to be revamped and improved. The Club Europe cabin has also been introduced on UK domestic services and all customers can look forward to the latest generation Wi-Fi across British Airways’ long-haul and short-haul fleets over the next two years.
- British Airways flies to more than 200 destinations around the world.
- BA Holidays offer an extensive range of carefully-selected hotels, car hire and travel experiences that are available to book with flights in a wide range of worldwide destinations from ba.com/holidays.
- The airline is one of the world’s largest international airlines, carrying approximately 40 million passengers around the world every year.
- The airline offers a choice of four cabins on the majority of its long-haul services.
- The airline is investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new technology and new routes.
- British Airways operates the majority of its flights from Terminal 5, its home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches.
- British Airways’ home Terminal 5 has been recognised as the world’s best terminal for the fourth consecutive year in the Skytrax awards.
- British Airways has won the Consumer Superbrand for the fourth time in a row, and the Business Superbrand for the third year in a row. This is the first time any company has ever won the double consecutively.
- British Airways’ parent company is International Airlines Group, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, and has just launched a low-cost carrier from Spain called LEVEL.