PKP Intercity is preparing for a groundbreaking implementation of satellite Internet in its flagship Pendolino trains. The pilot program will start at the turn of October and November 2026. For the first time, passengers will be able to use modern satellite communication during the journey, and their opinions will be collected in a special survey after the journey.
So far, we have tested satellite Internet on trains without passengers. Now we want to know the opinion of our passengers, so a survey will be conducted after the trip. We assume that the pilot will last five months, Siecińska said.
Previous tests, conducted first on ED160 trains (Stadler Flirt) and then in Pendolino, have shown a significant advantage of satellite Internet over traditional GSM operators.
These are zones far from urbanized places, where the connection is lost due to the insufficient infrastructure of cooperating GSM operators. We want to develop these places and we want to use satellite Internet in these specific points on the map. It will not replace the services of GSM operators, but will constitute a complementary service - explains Siecińska.
The test results are promising - the quality of satellite Internet was very good for 55 percent of the time. travel time, while in the case of GSM only by 18%. This means that the new technology will significantly improve travel comfort, especially on sections where there was previously no coverage.
She said that if the tests with passengers are successful, satellite Internet receivers will be installed in Pendolino during major repairs, i.e. in 2028 - 2029. She informed that for now, the company plans to launch satellite Internet only in Pendolino trains and in the future in High Speed trains.
New features for passengers
PKP Intercity does not stop at implementing satellite Internet. The carrier is working intensively on further amenities for travelers. Passengers will soon be able to use graphical seat selection also when traveling with transfers. So far, this option was only available on direct journeys, while seats on transfer tickets were assigned automatically.
We want this function to come into force this year, announces Joanna Siecińska. This solution will allow passengers to plan their journey even more conveniently and choose their favorite seat, even if the journey includes several trains.
Another innovation will be the self check-in option at Pendolino. Thanks to it, passengers who check in earlier in the carrier's application will not have to show their ticket to the conductor. This solution will not only speed up ticket inspection, but also increase the comfort of traveling.
New Central Sales System
In the coming years, PKP Intercity also plans to implement a new Central Sales System (CSS), which is expected to revolutionize the way tickets are purchased and serviced. This system will standardize and modernize ticket sales in all channels, and will also enable easier integration with other carriers.
CSS is a strategic change for PKP Intercity that will unify and modernize ticket sales in all channels. By replacing the old system, the carrier will be ready for the OSDM standard, easier integration with other carriers, greater flexibility in implementing offers and higher system reliability - explains Joanna Siecińska.
For passengers, this means, above all, more convenient travel planning, automatic selection of the most advantageous offers and discounts, the ability to purchase tickets for complex routes - even with transfers and on international routes, as well as easier management of the purchased ticket. The new system will also allow you to purchase tickets for larger groups - up to 24 people - and combine various discounts and offers.
The implementation of CSS will start in 2026 with international sales and will then cover other sales channels.
Development of digital and mobile services
PKP Intercity is also consistently developing its digital and mobile services. The carrier's mobile application is gaining more and more users - currently it is used by approximately 6 million passengers. Recently, new functionalities have appeared, such as reservation notifications, travel reminders and information about delays displayed directly on the main screen and on the ticket.
The carrier is also constantly increasing the number of wagons with Wi-Fi access. Since 2023, the number of such wagons has increased by 525, and currently by as much as 70%. wagons and all electric multiple units offer Internet access. The company announces further development of this service.
The PKP Intercity loyalty program is also growing in popularity - the number of its participants has increased to 600,000, and the sum of accumulated points has exceeded 1.3 billion.
