Etihad Airways has completed the fitting out of mobile and internet connectivity across its fleet of 24 Boeing 777s including aircraft serving London, Manchester and Dublin.
The move comes only months before the airline’s entire fleet of 89 passenger aircraft is connected.
The will make the UAE carrier the first in the Gulf region and one of the few airlines in the world to offer mobile and internet connectivity services on every aircraft.
The fleet includes 28 Airbus A320s, 26 A330s, 11 A340s and 24 Boeing 777s.
In-flight connectivity includes wi-fi, mobile services and Live TV.
High-speed broadband services will be available to passengers on wi-fi enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops. They will be able to surf the internet, update social media, purchase gifts, upgrade seats and change travel plans in addition to making and receiving phone calls, text messages and emails.
Packages to access the internet start at $5. Mobile telephone usage will be billed by mobile service providers based on international roaming rates.
The Live TV on board service will show live news and sporting events on seven television channels including BBC World News, CNBC, CNN, euronews, Japan’s NHK World Premium, Sky News Arabia, and Sport 24.
The airline’s chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, claimed: “We are a global market leader in terms of onboard connectivity solutions. We believe that onboard connectivity is an important competitive differentiator for our guests and are continuously introducing new communications technology to enhance their travel experience.
“The roll out of our state-of-the-art connectivity solution will give our modern connected guests a seamless, robust experience at 35,000 feet, similar to what they expect at home or work.”