Qatar Airways Airbus A380. Photo: Qatar Airways.

Inmarsat announced that Qatar Airways has become the first Middle East megacarrier to select its new GX Aviation in-flight broadband solution. Per the agreement, the service will initially be available to Qatar Airways passengers on board more than 130 aircraft consisting of Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s.

Qatar Airways has already equipped its latest Airbus A350s with GX Aviation technology; installations on the airline’s remaining Airbus A350s, together with the Boeing 777s, will commence on a retrofit basis from this summer.

GX Aviation allows airline passengers to browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more during flights, with an on-board connectivity experience on par with broadband services available on the ground, according to Inmarsat.

The service will integrate with Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system and complement the airline’s latest passenger experience innovations, including its new Qsuite premium travel experience.

Qatar Airways will connect to the GX network using JetWave terminals produced by Inmarsat partner Honeywell Aerospace.