Azul, Brazil’s leading airline by departures and destinations, has partnered with Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, to equip seven of its new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with Viasat’s advanced Ka-band in-flight connectivity solution. The first of these aircraft is set to enter service next year.
Passengers on the new Airbus A330-900neos will enjoy the same high-quality in-flight Wi-Fi that Azul’s other aircraft offer, thanks to Viasat’s reliable connectivity. Travelers will have access to internet services from gate to gate, including options for streaming audio and video, web browsing, and messaging.
Jason Ward, Azul’s Chief People and Customer Officer, emphasized the importance of top-tier connectivity in enhancing the passenger experience. “What sets Azul apart in Brazil is our superior connectivity on select aircraft. Given Brazilians’ need for real-time sports updates and staying connected with loved ones, it’s clear that high-quality Wi-Fi is crucial for customer satisfaction. We are eager to continue our collaboration with Viasat to further enhance our in-flight Wi-Fi offerings.”
Don Buchman, VP and GM of Commercial Aviation at Viasat, expressed enthusiasm about expanding the partnership. “Having served Azul’s passengers successfully for several years, we’re thrilled to extend our connectivity to more of their aircraft. Our mission is to provide consistently high-quality in-flight Wi-Fi so passengers can enjoy seamless online activities at 35,000 feet, just as they do on the ground, even as data demand and expectations rise.”
In addition to increasing the number of Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft, Azul is partnering with Viasat to enhance the passenger experience further by introducing ad-supported streaming sessions through the Viasat Advertising platform. Azul is the latest airline to integrate this platform.
Viasat continues to focus on the aviation market by combining high-throughput satellite capacity with the flexibility to meet varying demand, especially over major airport hubs in Brazil and beyond. This expansion builds on their collaboration that began in 2021, marking Azul as the first South American airline to offer Viasat’s in-flight internet service and the first in the region to provide free in-flight Wi-Fi, utilizing Viasat’s Ka-band network and its partner satellite, SGDC-1.
