Virgin Atlantic customers could get in-flight WiFi with speeds of up to 70 Mbps thanks to a new deal.

The airline has partnered with Gogo, a firm that already provides in-flight Internet access. At the moment the speeds top out at just under 10 Mbps, but it’s recently announced a new system called 2Ku that is expected to reach 70 Mbps at launch and then break 100 Mbps as satellite technology advances.

The 2Ku system combines existing technologies: planes will receive signals from ground-based antennae and from two satellites, with more satellites potentially added later on. Being compatible with multiple satellites will bring in redundancy and thus increase reliability.

The connection to the ground antenna will only be used for sending data from the aircraft to the Internet, meaning “uploading” will involve sending data downwards. The connection to the satellites will be normally be used solely for receiving data (the exception likely being when travelling over water), a set-up Gogo says allows it to use bandwidth much more efficiency.

As well as increasing speeds, it should cut latency to around 400ms, meaning it’s still unlikely to be ideal for gamers, but should mean streaming videos will play without problems.

The Virgin planes will need to be fitted with satellite receivers. However, with the 2Ku system these only need to be 4.5 inches high (pictured), meaning far less air drag than with some rival satellite-based systems.

Virgin has hinted that passengers on Delta Air Lines may benefit from the deal as well. It hasn’t announced a timetable or the potential pricing for customers. However, Endgadget ponders the possibility that increased capacity could mean there’s no need to keep prices high enough to manage demand.