Latam announced an investment of 25 million dollars (equivalent to approximately 128.6 million reais in direct conversion) with the goal of providing Wi-Fi connectivity to 60 new aircraft of the Airbus and Embraer models. This implementation will be carried out by SES Satellites, a direct competitor to Starlink, promising functionality on any route or worldwide location, along with more stable and faster navigation during flights.
As disclosed by the company this Tuesday, August 25th, the satellites used are located in various orbits, which ensures broader coverage regardless of flight altitude. It is important to note that since 2024, Latam has already provided Wi-Fi on all domestic routes and to certain South American destinations; now, the connection will be available globally.
Paulo Miranda, Latam's Vice President of Clients, stated that 'multi-orbit connectivity' will enable this greater stability. This capability will be made possible by SES technology, which will be installed on planes such as the Airbus A320neo and A321XLR models, as well as the Embraer E195-E2.
Initially, the way passengers access the internet on Latam flights will remain unchanged. Latam Pass customers will maintain full access to Wi-Fi, being able to use applications and browse websites without problems during the journey. The free service will allow users to watch movies and series and listen to music through Latam Play.
The company informed that the connection improvement will be introduced progressively over the next few years, reaching about 60 aircraft, although it has not yet set a final deadline for the completion of the installation.
Satellite internet has been expanding its presence both on land and in aviation. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, is currently the largest company in this sector and already offers various connection packages. Access to the network occurs through satellites operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), whose main advantage is bringing internet to hard-to-reach locations or those with scarce terrestrial coverage, such as dense forest areas.
The major difference lies in operating in other orbits, allowing flights to capture the signal regardless of height or position. In the context of Latam, the technology used is provided by SES Satellites, which has approximately 120 units operating worldwide. The company itself emphasizes that this interaction between satellites in three levels of Earth's orbits is an exclusive feature among commercial providers.