May 2: Qatar Airways said that its passengers can now experience ‘Super Wi-Fi’ high-speed broadband connectivity using Inmarsat’s GX Aviation technology. The broadband service is being progressively rolled out on all Boeing 777 aircraft and Airbus A350 aircraft in Qatar Airways’ fleet. Qatar Airways said that it has become the first airline in the MENA region to have invested in the technology to provide this quality of service for passengers.

Passengers on flights fitted with GX Aviation can receive one hour free access to the ‘Super Wi-Fi’ , the airline said in a statement.

According to the company, passengers can also purchase full-flight access to the service selecting from a range of affordable options.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said, “In another first for the MENA region, Qatar Airways passengers can now enjoy high-speed broadband connectivity, providing rich content without restriction, whether using the internet for work or relaxation during their journey. Business travellers in particular will be able to maximise their ‘office in the sky’ with seamless continuity.”

President of Inmarsat Aviation, Philip Balaam, said, “Qatar Airways is renowned as one of the greatest innovators in global aviation with passengers being at the centre of everything they do. We are delighted that they are now pioneering our game-changing GX Aviation inflight broadband across the globe. This unprecedented service adds to the airline’s award-winning, five star onboard experience by allowing passengers to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more during flights.”     

Inmarsat is the same high-tech provider selected by Qatar Airways for its space-based tracking system used to track all its flights worldwide. As one of the world’s leading developers of tracking systems, Inmarsat uses a network of satellites to detect signals transmitted from aircraft and relay this information. The satellites can report the speed, location and direction of the aircraft to the ground-based receivers.

Qatar Airways said it operates a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft to a network of more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America and South America.