SES, JAL Team for Expanded Multi-Orbit IFC Deployment

Japan Airlines will deploy the SES multi-orbit inflight internet solution on more than 40 widebody aircraft. The deal covers a mix of line-fit and retrofit installations across both Airbus and Boeing frames.

Bringing this service to JAL’s A350 and 787 fleet builds on more than 10 years of partnership and supports the airline’s long-haul expansion of next generation connectivity, advancing JAL’s leadership in inflight service innovation and its commitment to an exceptional customer experience.

– Enrique Villasenor, SES Vice President of Gloab Airline Partnerships

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Speaking to the commitment, JAL’s Deputy Senior Vice President – Customer Experience Junko Sakihara added, “Our decision to provide the SES inflight connectivity to our long-haul passengers is due to the multi-orbit redundancy, reliability, and continuous innovation.”

JAL will fit 21 787-9 aircraft with the SES multi-orbit solution, including the Gilat Sidewinder antenna. Ten of the aircraft will see the system installed at the factory while eleven others will be retrofit installations.

Read more: Intelsat, JAL partner on LEO/GEO connectivity

The 787-9 retrofit work was first teased as the Singapore Air Show in February 2026. At that time the companies shared it would “enable the airplanes to connect to newer enhanced low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.” That capacity will be delivered via the Eutelsat Oneweb LEO constellation, while retaining access to SES’s GEO assets as well.

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JAL will also deploy the SES kit on 20 upcoming A350-900 deliveries. As with the 787s, this program includes installation of the Sidewinder ESA at the factory, allowing the aircraft to be online as they are delivered.

On the Airbus front the offering of a non-HBCplus line-fit option is notable. SES’s Rob Baird indicated last year at AIX that he expected the airframer would need to support such an approach given the troubles it has faced in getting a Ku-band solution into that program. This has proven true. Presumably Baird’s other predictions about expansion of that program beyond the A350 will also bear fruit. That would be good news for airlines and SES. 

These 41 widebody commitments join JAL’s previously announced plans for its 737-8 planes to be fitted with multi-orbit IFC at the factory. Those single-aisle deliveries are now expected from 2027.

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Getting to line-fit offerability with Boeing is a major milestone for SES. Stellar Blu started the process in 2023, bringing the Sidewinder terminal to the aircraft manufacturer as part of a Technical Services Agreement. Things have progressed in the intervening years, though the program is not 100% complete today. Still, Boeing will deliver the planes fully outfitted, and efforts to get the Sidewinder installed on the factory line continue.

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