Virgin Atlantic Partners with Gogo for In-Flight Internet

British Airline Virgin Atlantic will provide high-speed internet connectivity on its flights. According to Virgin Atlantic, the company has partnered with Gogo, a provider of an in-flight broadband Internet service, to offer in-flight connectivity. With the deal, Virgin Atlantic has become Gogo's first European airline customer.

Gogo will provide its new satellite-based 2Ku system to Virgin Atlantic for travelers to avail the facilities of high-speed internet during flights. Once the deal is finalized, Gogo's system will offer in-flight connectivity with a speed up to 70Mbps.

Both the companies are working to finalize the agreement, where all the aircrafts of Virgin Atlantic will install Gogo's 2Ku system. The in-flight technology for most of the Virgin Atlantic flights is expected to launch by mid-2015.

Reuben Arnold, Virgin Atlantic's brand and customer engagement director, said, "We're always looking at ways to enhance the on-board experience for our customers and expanding in-flight connectivity across our fleet is just one of the ways in which we are doing this".

Arnold also said that Virgin Atlantic is impressed with Gogo and its connectivity solution and now the company is looking forward to make sure that all the customers will enjoy the service even when they are on flight. So far, there are about 10 major airlines' 2,000 commercial aircrafts, which have been equipped with Gogo's high-speed internet connectivity. Added to that, the company gives its internet services to more than 6,000 business aircraft.

Telecom major T-Mobile is also expanding its services in partnership with Gogo. Users of T-mobile will be able to send free in-flight text, voicemail retrieval and pictures in the planes that have been equipped with Gogo's internet system. To access the services, travelers should have Wi-Fi calling-enabled phone in airplane mode connected to Gogo's Wi-Fi. In September, Gogo has signed a deal with Vietnam Airlines.