São Paulo – Passengers of the Dubai-based Emirates Airline can now connect to the internet using laptop computers, tablets and smartphones on board eleven Airbus A380 aircraft. The airline established a partnership with provider OnAir, enabling passengers to send and receive messages, check out websites and social networks when flying.
For the time being, the service will be available on 11 A380s, out of 19 operated by the company. In a statement issued this Monday (12th), the airline claims that its entire A380 fleet will have WiFi in coming years, as the system will be installed in the operating aircraft and in the 71 units ordered.
In order to connect to the aircraft’s WiFi network, passengers must go to the website of provider OnAir and follow the instructions. Prices start at US$ 7.50 for mobiles and US$ 15 for laptop computers. According to the company, passengers who connect to the internet using a Blackberry under the US$ 7.50 plan will have access to the web during the Paris-Dubai flight, which lasts six-and-a-half hours.
Emirates did not announce which routes will offer the WiFi connection, but currently its A380s fly to London, Paris, New York, Manchester, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Jeddah, Hong Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur and Rome. The company has been cleared by the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero) to fly to São Paulo with its A380s. However, the flight is still pending homologation from the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
