Air France to install Intelsat’s 2Ku high-speed, satellite-based inflight connectivity solution on 60 new Air France A220-300 aircraft. (Photo courtesy: Air France.)

Air France will install Intelsat‘s 2Ku high-speed satellite In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) service on 60 of its new A220-300 aircraft. Intelsat is equipping the aircraft now and will be ready to offer the full commercial service when Air France begins using the new aircraft for its short and medium-haul destinations starting in the fall.

“We are honored to partner with Air France and delight their passengers with a superior In-Flight Connectivity experience on Airbus’ state-of-the-art A220 aircraft,” Intelsat’s President of Commercial Aviation John Wade said in a statement. “This award expands the total Intelsat fleet at Air France to 143 aircraft, including widebody B777s and A330s. Air France is the third airline partner to select Intelsat on the A220 airframe and our first 2Ku line-fit European airline partner.”

Financial details of the contract order were not disclosed.

Intelsat became an IFC solutions provider after it acquired Gogo’s Commercial Aviation division in the second quarter of 2021. The operator inserted the business into it’s Network Services division, and has been benefiting from increased IFC service revenues now that they no longer have to pay Gogo as a distributor.

The operator has also benefited from the ability to build off of Gogo’s previous business relationships. This new contract with Air France follows a 2018 contract the airline signed to equip 83 aircraft with the Intelsat-powered Ku service.

Air France also utilizes IFC systems and services from Anuvu, formerly Global Eagle Entertainment and Orange Business Services under a contract the airline signed with the providers in 2018 to equip 113 Airbus A320 family aircraft.