Finnair picks SES for Wi-Fi on its new Embraer E195-E2s, arriving from 2027

Finnair has picked the satellite company SES to put internet access on its next batch of short-haul jets. The airline said on November 2 that SES will equip all 18 of its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which are due to start joining the fleet in the third quarter of 2027. The jets will fly Finnair's European routes.

The airline pitches it as home-style broadband in the air. In Finnair's announcement, it says passengers will be able to message, stream, work online and use digital services much as they would on the ground. What it has not said yet is what the Wi-Fi will cost, whether Finnair Plus members will get any of it free, or how it will be sold.

How the system works

SES will combine two kinds of satellites. One is the OneWeb network, which sits in low Earth orbit, much closer to the ground than older satellites. The other is SES's own fleet of geostationary satellites, which hover far higher over fixed points on the equator.

Low-orbit networks tend to cut the lag that makes video calls and web pages feel slow on older plane Wi-Fi. Finnair says the mix of the two orbits gives coverage across its whole network. It also says the setup should help keep the connection steady on busy routes and at peak times, when many planes and passengers share the same capacity.

Simon Large, Finnair's chief customer officer, called connectivity "an increasingly important part of the overall travel experience." SES's aviation chief, Blane Boynton, said the deal shows growing airline confidence in its multi-orbit approach.

The planes it is going on

The E195-E2 is new to Finnair. The airline placed a firm order for 18 of the jets in March 2026, along with 16 options and 12 purchase rights, according to its stock exchange release at the time. Each will have 134 seats.

Finnair's regional partner Norra is planned to fly them, as it already does with Finnair's current Embraer and ATR planes. Finnair said in March that the E2 would bring USB charging at every seat, a quiet cabin and high-speed internet. Monday's news fills in who will supply that internet.

Here is what Finnair has confirmed so far:

Finnair said in March that deliveries will be spread over 2027, 2028 and 2029, so the full group of jets will take a few years to arrive. Travelers will see the first of these jets in late 2027 at the earliest.

How it compares

Wi-Fi is fast becoming a deciding factor on short flights in Europe. Several of Finnair's neighbors have already made big promises. SAS has said it will fit Starlink to its A320neo fleet, and even easyJet is adding Wi-Fi for the first time. The Lufthansa Group and KLM have also chosen Starlink.

Finnair's choice of SES puts it on a different system from those rivals. The real test for travelers will be speed in practice and price, and Finnair has shared neither yet. A free messaging tier, or free access for loyalty members, would put it in line with where much of the industry is heading. That is not confirmed.

The deal covers only the new E2s. Finnair has not said anything new about Wi-Fi on its Airbus narrowbodies or its long-haul A350 and A330 fleet in this announcement.

Before you fly from Helsinki

Many E2 flights are likely to leave from the Schengen area at Helsinki Airport, since most of Finnair's European destinations are inside the passport-free zone. Eligible travelers can wait in the Finnair Business Lounge and Platinum Corner there. The Finnair Platinum Wing is the airline's top-tier lounge for its highest status holders, while the non-Schengen Business Lounge serves flights outside the zone, including the UK.

You can see every lounge at Helsinki Airport and more about the airline on our Finnair page. We will update this story when Finnair publishes pricing or a firm start date for the service.