Porter to Line-Fit 30 Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft with Viasat IFC
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Toronto-based Porter Airlines (Porter) has selected Viasat’s in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution for its 30 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The jets will be line-fit with Viasat’s in-flight Wi-Fi offering and enter service during the second half of 2022.
The addition of Embraer’s E2 aircraft to its fleet is part of Porter’s preparation to expand its current regional network across Eastern Canada and the US to include new routes to the west coast, southern US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Kevin Jackson, Porter’s EVP and chief commercial officer, commented, “Using Viasat’s technology allows us to create a distinct digital passenger experience for longer routes that builds on our award-winning approach to hospitality.”
Don Buchman, Viasat’s VP and general manager, Commercial Aviation, said that the system will “enable [Porter’s] passengers to benefit from the speeds, capacity and coverage offered by ViaSat-2 satellite today, as well as its next-generation satellite constellation, ViaSat-3, in the future.” The first of three ultra-high-capacity Ka-band ViaSat-3 satellites is scheduled to be launched next year. The company said the constellation will provide eight times more capacity than its current network.
Earlier this week, Viasat announced it had become the first Ka-band IFC supplier to become line-fit available on Embraer’s family of E2 aircraft after entering into a Buyer-Furnished Equipment (BFE) agreement with the OEM. Airlines will be able to save time associated with retrofits when selecting Viasat’s IFC system as a factory option, and will be able to provide passengers and crew members an IFC experience from day one.
Multiple other airlines, including Azul, have already decided to equip their Embraer E2 aircraft with Viasat’s IFC system before they are delivered . Rodrigo Silva e Souza, VP Marketing, Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented, “With Viasat’s IFC system now line-fit available, we are enabling our airline customers to offer a highly optimized in-flight Wi-Fi experience that will keep them highly-competitive.”