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Singapore Airlines has announced that it will offer inflight internet access through WiFi from next year through a new collaboration with connectivity provider OnAir.
The new partnership will see OnAir’s connectivity equipment progressively rolled out across SIA’s A380, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ERs from the first half of 2011. This will allow customers with a compatible GSM phone or WiFi device to access the internet, SMS and email while in cruise. SIA will also review whether to offer voice calling prior to the service’s launch.
“The environment that our customers have gotten used to on the ground can soon be replicated in the air, when they fly with Singapore Airlines on aircraft fitted with this new connectivity platform,” said SIA’s senior VP products and services, Yap Kim Wah. “Travelling on business or pleasure, they are just a click or an SMS away, with access to live information, social networking and news updates, as well as inflight shopping.”
SIA joins Emirates as the second long haul carrier in the Asia Pacific region to commit to rolling out the OnAir system across its long haul fleet. V Australia is also understood to be looking at offering similar services using Panasonic technology, which has now received regulatory clearance from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
