Airshare has chosen Viasat’s Ka-band inflight connectivity (IFC) system for installation on its new Bombardier Challenger 350 deliveries, as well as future Challenger 3500 deliveries that begin in 2023.
The first installation on an Airshare Challenger 350 was completed in July 2022, with additional installations occurring over the second half of this year.
By selecting Viasat, Airshare will provide fractional owners traveling on these aircraft with a high-speed connectivity solution during all phases of flight, including taxi, take-off and landing. The connectivity solution is designed to enable passengers to enjoy the same connected services in the air as they do on the ground, including high-quality video streaming, video conferencing, access to corporate VPN, and more. Viasat’s satellite capacity will enable all devices on board to stream simultaneously, even in dense geographical areas with heavy aviation traffic.
“Excellent connectivity is no longer simply a nice-to-have amenity while in flight,” said John Owen, president and CEO of Airshare. “Airshare’s best-in-class service demands a reliable connectivity solution that provides fast speeds and a consistent connection from take-off to touchdown. Our owners want to stay productive, stream video, and otherwise stay in touch with what’s happening on the ground. Choosing Viasat for our new deliveries was an important step as Airshare enters our next phase of growth.”
Airshare is strategically expanding its fractional ownership programme beyond its core markets in central USA, with plans to begin serving customers on the East Coast in the near future.
“We’ve entered an exciting relationship with Airshare, and the Viasat Select service plans will deliver the best connectivity performance in business aviation while optimising operations for predictable budgets,” said Claudio D’Amico, Viasat’s business area director, business aviation. “With Airshare’s sharp focus on customer service and an exceptional inflight experience, we look forward to supporting the new fleet’s connectivity requirements now and into the future.”
Today, Viasat’s Ka-band satellite network covers over 90% of business aviation routes. The company’s next-generation ViaSat-3 constellation is a trio of satellites that are expected to provide near global coverage, and will offer Airshare additional capacity to meet its expanding connectivity needs.
Images: Airshare
