Delta Air Lines recently finalized a partnership with Viasat and took steps to introduce a Delta-developed WiFi access portal to enhance how travelers interact with WiFi. Adding Viasat’s next-generation satellite technology, Ka-Band, will allow the airline to modernize the connection. The new technology is expected onboard in summer 2021 for more than 300 mainline narrow-body aircraft. The Ka-Band, satellite-powered technology includes faster, more consistent connections and an ability to stream all types of entertainment and content to any internet-ready device, gate to gate.

The outfitted aircraft will be compatible with Viasat’s fleet of satellites — first-generation spacecraft and partner satellites; second-generation spacecraft ViaSat-2; and the forthcoming ViaSat-3 class of satellites, expecting to offer global coverage with nearly eight times more capacity than the current fleet.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to delight our customers and offer an unparalleled onboard experience,” said Bill Lentsch, chief customer experience officer, Delta Air Lines. “In working with Viasat, we gain the tools needed to deepen customer interactions and bring us closer to delivering more personalized in-flight content as well as an ability to consistently provide free, fast, streaming WiFi in the future.”