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WestJet partners with Telus to give rewards members free satellite internet service
August 2, 2024 By The Canadian Press
WestJet and Telus Corp. are partnering up to provide free internet service aboard flights for members of the airline's loyalty program starting this December. The sign on the front of the Telus head office is shown in Toronto on Thursday, February 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn WestJet and Telus Corp. are partnering up to provide free internet service aboard flights for members of the airline’s loyalty program starting this December.
The companies say Wi-Fi connectivity for WestJet Rewards members will be delivered through Starlink, which provides internet service through its low-earth orbit satellites.
WestJet says Starlink can deliver the bandwidth and speeds necessary for every passenger on board its aircraft to livestream videos or online game from their devices as if they were at home.
Jason Fritch, vice-president of Starlink enterprise sales for the satellite carrier’s owner SpaceX, says the company has commitments to provide service to more than 1,000 aircraft worldwide.
All of WestJet’s modern narrow-body fleet will be equipped for the free Wi-Fi service by the end of 2025, with wide-body aircraft to follow by the end of 2026.
WestJet and Telus say the announcement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with more announcements to come.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2024.
