Gogo to Partner with Air Canada to Bring Wi-Fi to its North American Fleet

Gogo Also to Trial new 2Ku and Global Xpress Technologies on Select International Aircraft

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Apr 09, 2014, 08:47 ET

ITASCA, Ill., April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO), a leading aircraft communications service provider to the global aviation industry, announces today that it plans on rolling out Wi-Fi on Air Canada's entire North American fleet in May. The agreement also provides for future type-testing of Gogo satellite solutions for Wi-Fi on international flights. The international trials will take place in 2015.

"We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with Air Canada and to begin installing Wi-Fi as soon as possible," said Gogo's president and CEO, Michael Small. "We have often said that there is no one-size fits all technology for the global connectivity market."

"Air Canada continually seeks to enhance the travel experience and that is why we are pleased to be the first airline in Canada to offer in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to customers flying over continental North America. In today's connected world, our customers want to access email, mobile device applications and the internet wherever they are, both to increase their work productivity and expand their leisure options. The introduction of Wi-Fi across our narrow-body North American fleet will be another welcome amenity for customers, who already enjoy the award-winning service of North America's Best Airline," said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada's Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Air Canada presently has two Wi-Fi-equipped Airbus 319 aircraft that are now operating in Canada and the U.S. and, subject to a final agreement with Gogo, the carrier plans to begin outfitting its remaining Airbus A319, A320 and A321 narrow-body and Embraer 190 fleet types, as well as its Air Canada Express CRJ-705 and Embraer 175 aircraft, with Gogo's Air-To-Ground (ATG) and next generation ATG-4 technologies. The installations are to begin in May, with the goal of equipping 29 aircraft in 2014 and a targeted completion date of December 2015 for the designated 130 narrow-body aircraft. The 2Ku and Global Xpress satellite trials are expected to take place on select international aircraft in 2015.

About Gogo

Gogo is the global leader of in-flight connectivity and wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions. Using Gogo's exclusive products and services, passengers with Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on more than 2,000 Gogo equipped commercial aircraft. In-flight connectivity partners include Aeromexico, American Airlines, Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America. In-flight entertainment partners include Aeromexico, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Scoot and US Airways. In addition to its commercial airline business, Gogo has more than 6,300 business aircraft outfitted with its communications services.

Back on the ground, Gogo's 700+ employees in Itasca, IL, Broomfield, CO and various locations overseas are working to continually redefine flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with Gogo at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo.