BT’s EE mobile network has secured a significant new contract with easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, to provide thousands of mobile connections across Europe, supporting flight crews, aircraft, and airports in 35 countries and over 150 airports including Gatwick and Gran Canaria.
Under this agreement, EE will deliver a total of 23,000 mobile connections to facilitate seamless communication and real-time information sharing for easyJet’s operations.
The airline plans to use these connections to link various devices, enabling pilots and cabin crew to access flight data and training materials on the go without interruption. All devices will be fitted with eSIM technology, allowing for remote management of connectivity, reducing costs, and simplifying network switching across borders. BT’s support will also extend to delivering smart messaging to keep passengers informed about their flights, connecting iPads used by crew members for real-time flight updates, and ensuring smooth communication between smartphones, aircraft phones, and other hardware like laptops.
Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer at BT Business, highlighted the importance of this partnership, emphasizing that the collaboration aims to deliver “smart, seamless connectivity” crucial for airline operations at scale. Sims explained that by equipping thousands of devices with eSIMs on EE’s award-winning network, BT is enabling easyJet to remotely manage connections, switch networks across borders effortlessly, and reduce the complexity associated with traditional SIM cards. He described the solution as “future-ready,” enhancing security, boosting efficiency, and ensuring teams stay connected when it matters most.
However, the new connectivity boost may not alleviate the frequent last-minute flight cancellations and the ensuing chaos, as passengers often scramble to find alternative flights through the airline’s app, sometimes at airports hundreds of miles away or days later.
