Cathay Pacific has announced plans to equip its entire wide-body fleet with in-flight WiFi beginning in 2018. Over the next few years, connectivity will be available on all Cathay Pacific flights and on selected Cathay Dragon services.
The rollout is scheduled to begin in mid-2018 with full installation expected by 2020. Cathay Pacific’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, already offers in-flight WiFi, and the new program will extend connectivity to the airline’s Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s in response to passenger demand.
Paul Loo, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Cathay Pacific, said the airline has been listening to customers who say staying connected is important. He added that by 2020 all wide-body aircraft are expected to have in-flight connectivity capabilities, creating opportunities to deliver more innovative inflight experiences.
The airline selected Gogo’s 2Ku satellite-based broadband system for the installations, making Cathay Pacific one of the early adopters of this technology in Asia. The 2Ku system supports fast web browsing, email and social media access, though it may have limitations for streaming music and video.
This upgrade aligns with broader airline industry trends toward improved onboard connectivity. For passengers, the expansion means more consistent access to online services on long-haul flights, enabling improved productivity and entertainment options while in the air.
Installation across a large fleet requires careful scheduling and technical work to minimize disruption to flight operations. Cathay Pacific’s phased approach aims to balance rapid deployment with operational reliability, ensuring aircraft remain available for scheduled services during retrofitting.
Once complete, this initiative will bring Cathay Pacific’s wide-body fleet in line with customer expectations for connectivity and position the airline competitively among carriers offering inflight broadband on long-haul routes.