Gogo expands Wi-Fi deal with Air Canada

Itasca-based Commercial airline Wi-Fi provider Gogo said it plans on rolling out Wi-Fi on Air Canada's entire North American fleet in May.

The agreement also provides for future type-testing of Gogo satellite solutions for Wi-Fi on international flights. The international trials will take place in 2015.

"We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with Air Canada and to begin installing Wi-Fi as soon as possible," said Gogo's president and CEO Michael Small. "We have often said that there is no one-size fits all technology for the global connectivity market."

Air Canada currently has two Wi-Fi-equipped Airbus 319 aircraft that operate in Canada and the U.S. and, subject to a final agreement with Gogo, the carrier plans to begin outfitting its remaining Airbus A319, A320 and A321 narrow-body and Embraer 190 fleet types, as well as its Air Canada Express CRJ-705 and Embraer 175 aircraft, with Gogo's Air-To-Ground (ATG) and next generation ATG-4 technologies.

"The introduction of Wi-Fi across our narrow-body North American fleet will be another welcome amenity for customers, who already enjoy the award-winning service of North America's Best Airline," said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

The installations are to begin in May, with the goal of equipping 29 aircraft in 2014 and a targeted completion date of December 2015 for the designated 130 narrow-body aircraft. The 2Ku and Global Xpress satellite trials are expected to take place on select international aircraft in 2015.