Emirates set to launch wi-fi services across A380s

Monday, 12 December 2011 6:05 PM

The system will be rolled out across Emirates entire A380 fleet

Emirates Airline said on Monday that wi-fi services are being launched on a number of its A380s to allow passengers to surf the web and email during long-haul flights.

The service, which is in collaboration with service provider OnAir, will initially launch on 11 of 19 Emirates superjumbos, the carrier said in a statement.

The system is due to be installed across the entire fleet of 71 Emirates A380s on order.

In addition to wi-fi, from mid-2012 all new Emirates A380s will be delivered with a full range of wi-fi, mobile phone and mobile data services, it added.

Price plans for the service will start at $7.50 for mobile devices and $15 on laptops.

Emirates said the $7.50 package should be sufficient for the average Blackberry user to stay connected all the way from Dubai to Paris - a flight of over six and a half hours.

To access the service, all customers have to do is open up their device's wireless connections, log on to the OnAir network and follow the simple steps to access the internet.

As part of a pilot phase, customers onboard many A380 flights have been using the service for many months already as the system was installed and activated on the first few A380s last year.

Patrick Brannelly, vice president Corporate Communications, said: "Emirates recognises that being connected inflight is increasingly important especially on our longer flights.

"Adding internet access is going to be a vital and ubiquitous part of any inflight experience, just as it is in everyday life on the ground."

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Posted by: John murray Monday, 27 February 2012 8:50 AM[UAE] - Ireland

I'm flying from Ireland to Perth aus will my plane have wi fi

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Posted by: Abdullah Wednesday, 14 December 2011 12:54 PM[UAE] - UAE

Congratulations to Emirates for this world first! the worlds greatest airline again stands out from the crowd

Posted by: soussou Wednesday, 21 December 2011 7:54 PM[UAE] - Germany

Dear Abdullah, i rather think it is sad to be so misinformed or rather oblivious to reality! Dubai's mantra for so long has been that they had to have the BIGGEST of everything - well, in the long run it often turns out that bigger is not necessarily better... And yes, please enlighten me as to the "world leading companies" that you mentioned in your post, because the ones making global headlines are usually the ones that failed at what they attempted to do...

Posted by: Telcoguy Wednesday, 21 December 2011 11:16 AM[UAE] - Uae

There seems to be lot of "jealous" and"bitter" posters in the palm threads, where another Dubai company is getting lot of heat. Maybe you should post your views there. We would all be interested, for sure.

Posted by: john Thursday, 15 December 2011 5:45 PM[UAE] - uae

Abdullah, I am not sure I follow you. How is Telcoguy being bitter. He simply pointed out that Emirates are not the first to do this. Why are you being so defensive?

Posted by: Telcoguy Thursday, 15 December 2011 3:05 PM[UAE] - UAE

@abdullah I am very sorry to read your post. It must be sad to be so misinformed.
In the meantime, in case you decide that facts are more relevant than opinions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnAir_(telecommunications)#Customers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connexion_by_Boeing

Congratulations to Emirates to become the 26th customer of OnAir, the second company to provide broadband access on flight.

Posted by: Abdullah Thursday, 15 December 2011 12:43 PM[UAE] - UAE

Dear Telcoguy

I have read many of your comments and you are clearly very jealous about the success of Dubai, the UAE and our world leading companies like Emirates.

Im very sorry you have these feelings, it must b very difficult to be so bitter

Congratulations to Emirates on this achievement - where other airline mess around, emirates leads - and thats a true world first

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Posted by: Ines Wednesday, 14 December 2011 9:42 AM[UAE] - UAE

Emirates is catching up - but certainly following other Airlines who have the service in place since years. I have been enjoying it on Lufthansa for some time now!

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Posted by: Nicole Tuesday, 13 December 2011 10:33 PM[UAE] - Uae

Just came bad from Toronto and used the wifi service. I used the $7.50 for 5mb on my blackberry and it lasted the entire 13hours.mi had it on silent and just used BBM, whatsapp, email and Facebook. Didn't appear to bother anyone else around me... Will use it again for sure. And emirates ICE widescreen digital is the best in the world!!

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Posted by: joe Tuesday, 13 December 2011 8:59 PM[UAE] - uae

SInce when is this an Emirates innovation? If anything, Emirates are playing catch-up...

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Read All 22 Comments

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