All Nippon Airways has announced the start of high-speed Wi-Fi on its international fleet, powered by Viasat. The airline has its first international aircraft equipped with the new Viasat Wi-Fi, and will continue installing the service on other aircraft. They aim to have more than 80% of their international fleet with the free service by 2030.
With this service, all passengers will get free Wi-Fi, regardless of cabin class. This comes in as a difference between rival carrier Japan Airlines, which currently offers free Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight to only first and business class passengers. This difference is perhaps a nod to the Viasat system’s ability to handle the number of users that come with a free Wi-Fi service that JAL’s Panasonic system can’t.
“The integration of Viasat’s Wi-Fi equipment enables the B767-300ER aircraft to offer a seamless and stay connected internet experience, mirroring ground-level performance,” said Tomoji Ishii, Executive VP, Customer Experience of ANA. “ANA is committed to strengthening its in-flight connectivity and will continue delivering future improvements to enhance customer convenience.”
The first aircraft with the new Viasat Wi-Fi is JA625A, a 13 year old Boeing 767-300ER. This aircraft mostly operates short to mid-haul international flights, such as routes to neighboring countries in East Asia.
Although the Viasat launch is exciting, the rollout will take time to reach most of the airline’s other international aircraft. In addition to JA625A, there will be two other 767s equipped with the new Wi-Fi by the end of FY2025 (note that Japan’s fiscal year ends in March), and that will be it for this year.
Moving forward, the airline is scheduled to equip three more Boeing 767s with the Viasat Wi-Fi during FY2026. Boeing 787-9s will begin installation of the new service in the same fiscal year, with 19 of them planned to be equipped.
ANA is also expecting delivery of its first Boeing 777-9 in 2026 after Lufthansa, which will also feature the new high-speed Wi-Fi. All of its 18 aircraft orders will be equipped with the system.
All photos taken by the author.
