Thaicom and Thai low-cost airline Nok Air have announced the lift-off of the first commercial flight to use the companies' new in-flight satellite Wi-Fi service.
The flight took off from Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport yesterday. The Ku-band in-flight satellite Wi-FI service offers 3G-equivalent speeds, the companies said.
Nok Air has contracted Thaicom to help provide the service on an initial six aircraft, with plans to expand it to the airline's entire fleet of 22 craft within three years.
“We’re very excited to be the first in Asia to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi to our passengers on top of our other free services,” Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin commented.
“In-flight Wi-Fi will provide our passengers with a whole new travelling experience, as they can still connect to what is important to them at 35,000 feet in the air.”
Thaicom and Nok Air first announced the deal in June at CommunicAsia 2014. At the time, Nok Air said it will use the satellite service to provide video as well as internet connectivity, and plans to offer Wi-Fi for free as a commodity service.