Lufthansa Group presses ahead with EAN inflight connectivity installs

Lufthansa Group confirms it is in the process of equipping 150-plus narrowbodies with the European Aviation Network’s hybrid air-to-ground (ATG)/S-band satellite-based inflight connectivity system and expects to finish installations in a year.

The IFC service, which is supported by Viasat and Deutsche Telekom, recently saw a major defection in the form of IAG Group, which is pivoting to SpaceX’s Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-supported offering for both its long-haul fleet and its EAN-fitted short-haul fleet.

But contrary to industry scuttlebutt, Lufthansa Group has in fact started fitting aircraft.

“I confirm that installation of the EAN inflight Internet service at Lufthansa Group has started and is on track to be completed by end of 2026,” a company spokesman tells Runway Girl Network.

That’s in line with the Group’s previous guidance that EAN equipage would begin in Q4 2024 and the process would take roughly two years.

Unlike satellite IFC installs that feature large antennae atop the fuselage, EAN kit is harder to spot due to the petite nature of both the fuselage-mounted S-band antenna and the under-belly ATG hardware, as evidenced by this EAN-equipped Aegean A320.

Since early 2024, Aegean has offered free Wi-Fi to all its passengers, as powered by EAN. Image: Jason Rabinowitz

Airbus A220, A319, A320ceo, A320neo, A321ceo, and A321neo aircraft operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss are earmarked to receive the EAN kit, though Lufthansa Group isn’t yet ready to break out which aircraft types and airlines have already been equipped, citing “operational reasons.” Only the most eagle-eyed of passengers will know if they’re flying on a fitted plane.

Many Lufthansa Group narrowbodies presently carry the Global Xpress Ka-band geostationary satellite solution inherited by Viasat when it acquired Inmarsat.

By January 2024, some 240 narrowbodies in the Group featured GX, which supports free messaging for loyalty members and paid Internet sessions.

It remains to be seen if and how many GX birds will receive the EAN hardware. Lufthansa Group is also in line to receive dozens of new Airbus narrowbodies.