Emirates is now offering Wi-Fi services for all flights, providing passengers with the opportunity to stay connected during their journey. When passengers sign up for Emirates Skywards, the airline’s loyalty program, they become eligible to receive free Wi-Fi connectivity throughout their flight. This enhancement has resulted in an increase in passenger usage, with an additional 30,000 Economy Class travelers connecting to the complimentary onboard Wi-Fi service each week.
With a substantial investment of over $300 million in onboard connectivity, the Dubai-based airline has significantly expanded its customer base, now serving an average of 450,000 passengers per month. This surge represents a remarkable 30% spike in Wi-Fi usage compared to the same period last year.
On specific routes, such as those traveling through the Americas, nearly 20% of passengers take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi service, while routes through Europe and Africa boast an impressive usage rate of over 11%.
Currently, nearly 10% of all Emirates passengers are utilizing the complimentary onboard Wi-Fi service, showcasing the popularity and value it brings to their travel experience. To further improve the passenger experience, Emirates remains dedicated to ongoing investment in system improvements and enhancements.
Plans To Introduce High-Speed, In-Flight Broadband
Emirates has recently announced its plans to introduce high-speed, in-flight broadband on all 50 of its upcoming Airbus A350 aircraft, scheduled to enter service in 2024. This innovation, which runs on Inmarsat’s GX Aviation, will revolutionize onboard connectivity by providing faster speeds and wider global coverage, even for flights over the Arctic.
As the first aircraft in its fleet to leverage Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, the Airbus A350s will deliver unmatched broadband capabilities to Emirates passengers. In addition, Emirates has committed to a hefty investment to equip these A350 aircraft with Thales’ AVANT Up system and Optiq, enhancing passenger connectivity even further. Optiq, the industry’s first smart display, offers two Bluetooth connections, built-in Wi-Fi for seamless device pairing, and support for fast-charging personal devices with up to 60 watts via USB-C.
With the arrival of the A350s in 2024, passengers can anticipate an unprecedented level of connectivity and a seamless travel experience from takeoff to landing.
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