Aircraft

Fractional ownership operator NetJets plans to equip more than 250 of its midsize and large-cabin aircraft with Aircell's high-speed Internet system, in what the two firms are billing as the largest-ever order of its kind.

With Aircell's air-to-ground (ATG)-based high-speed Internet service, NetJets owners will be able to access the Internet with any Wi-Fi equipped laptop, notebook computer, or other personal electronic device at speeds that are similar to wireless mobile broadband on the ground, says Aircell.

Installations begin this month. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

"NetJets owners are some of the most accomplished and productive people in the world and I know they will appreciate the added option to stay connected while onboard their aircraft," says NetJets chairman and CEO David Sokol.

With more than 800 aircraft, NetJets says it operates the largest private aviation fleet in the world. The company's mid-size fleet includes the Hawker 900XP/800XP, the Cessna Citation Sovereign, Cessna Citation X and Gulfstream G200. Its large-cabin fleet comprises Dassault Falcon 2000EX/2000, Gulfstream G450/G400, Dassault Falcon 7X and Gulfstream G550/GV aircraft.