Riyadh Air’s Flying Wi-Fi Revolution
Picture this: you’re cruising at 35,000 feet, somewhere above the Middle East, and you’re streaming your favorite show without a hitch. Sounds too good to be true? Not anymore. Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s latest airline sensation, is gearing up to take flight later this year, initially weaving the sky with Boeing 787-9s, subsequently sprinkling in some Airbus A321neos for good measure. And the latest buzz? Well, it’s about to make frequent flyers very happy.
Free Wi-Fi, Courtesy of Viasat
In a world where your mobile data follows you up into the clouds, Riyadh Air’s move to partner up with Viasat for their in-flight Wi-Fi is making waves. Using cutting-edge Ka-band satellite technology and some fancy-sounding multi-orbit solutions, Viasat is set to treat you with factory-installed connectivity on the Boeing 787s. There’s still radio silence on how the A321neos will fare in the Wi-Fi department, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Here’s the kicker: Riyadh Air’s new gizmo will let passengers surf the web, stream, and game from gate to gate. If you’re a member of their yet-to-be-disclosed loyalty program, the world of free Wi-Fi is yours. Not on the VIP list? No worries, sign up while you’re up there flying, and voilà, you’re connected. Plus, who wouldn’t want some live TV action on those seat-back screens? Anton Vidgen, Riyadh Air’s VP in charge of making sure you have a good time on board, describes it as nothing short of revolutionary:
“At Riyadh Air, we are all about jazzing up the travel experience with innovation and tech. With Viasat by our side, guests are in for a treat—free, personalized, seamless Wi-Fi to match the Riyadh Air vibe. This partner-up plays a huge role in our grand plan to become the go-to airline for digital-savvy travelers, raising the bar for what premium travel should be.”
Now, before you brush this off as ‘just another airline perk,’ know that Riyadh Air is marketing itself as the world’s first “digitally native” airline. What does that exactly mean? Your guess is as good as mine, but fast internet up in the sky is a great place to start.
If you’ve hopped on a JetBlue flight or traveled with American and Delta across the U.S., Viasat’s Wi-Fi service might already feel like home. Right out of the textbooks, they’re all about keeping you connected, no matter where you’re heading.
Playing Favorites: Why Viasat Over Starlink?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Starlink. It’s the new kid on the block when it comes to in-flight connectivity, boasting a fan club of airlines that have welcomed them with open arms. But Riyadh Air opted for Viasat instead. Curious? So are we. Here’s a couple of theories: the 787’s composite fuselage isn’t exactly Starlink-friendly, and to top it off, certain regions like China and Russia are Starlink’s blind spots. That’s probably where Riyadh Air looks west, shakes hands with Viasat, and calls it a match.
Despite Starlink’s star power and its own advantages, a 787 airline stationed in the Middle East seems to sing a sweeter tune with Viasat. Surrounding variables and technical compatibility may just have been the deciding factors.
The Takeaway
Riyadh Air’s play to deliver complimentary Wi-Fi to its loyal patrons across the 787 fleet is lining up with their big talk about leveraging tech as a brand differentiator. I mean, if they’re branding themselves as tech hipsters of the skies, you’d expect nothing less than an outstanding digital experience, right?
So, what’s your take on Riyadh Air cozying up with Viasat? And speaking of hopping around, if you find yourself on solid ground, don’t forget to check out an entirely different type of elevation at Val Seny ski resort.