Finnair has selected SES to provide satellite in-flight connectivity for its 18 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which are scheduled to join the airline’s fleet from the third quarter of 2027. The aircraft will be fitted at Embraer with electronically steered array antennas and are intended for European operations. The service will combine SES geostationary satellite capacity with low-Earth-orbit connectivity from Eutelsat’s OneWeb network.
The multi-orbit service is designed to support streaming, online work and other digital services. SES and Finnair cite coverage and capacity during periods of peak demand as aims of the arrangement; no performance results have been provided. SES expects the first connected aircraft to enter service in 2027, but the initial route and entry date have not been specified.
The agreement does not disclose Wi-Fi speeds, prices or access conditions. Finnair’s E195-E2s will add regional capacity to its European network, with the satellite system installed as part of the aircraft fit-out rather than retrofitted after delivery.