Gogo To Add Satellite Service to Transoceanic Flights

Gogo announced it will begin installing satellite-based in-flight Internet connectivity starting in the fourth quarter of 2012.  The move will allow Gogo to provide service on flights that extend beyond the borders of the United States, including trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights.

Gogo will use AeroSat’s K_u-band satellite solution to provide this service, and it will also implement Inmarsat’s Global Xpress K_a-band satellite service once that goes online.

No announcement has been made in terms of which carriers will offer the new service.

Gogo was the first provider to offer domestic in-flight Internet service, launching with American Airlines in 2008.  It recently acquired Airfone, a JetBlue company that owned LiveTV, to gain that provider’s 1 MHz spectrum for its service.

Gogo offers in-flight Internet access on over 1,500 commercial aircraft including flights on AirTran, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, and Virgin America.