Massively greater bandwidth. Fully dynamic allocation of coverage and capacity. Significantly quicker to manufacture and launch. These are just a few of the characteristics expected from the next generation of satellites joining the Inmarsat GX constellation. The company announced plans today for the first of the new satellites to join the network in orbit from 2023.
GX Aviation
Grand Kiwi Dream(liner)s
Air New Zealand will acquire eight new 787-10 Dreamliners as part of its fleet upgrade program. The new aircraft will arrive beginning in 2022, continuing through 2027. The long-expected order will see the new aircraft replace the carrier’s existing 777-200 fleet.
Air India switching to streaming, giving up on embedded IFE
Improving the passenger experience or driving a revenue boost? Why not both? Air India’s latest IFE plans hope to deliver improvements on both sides of the ledger.
Gulf Air selects Thales, Inmarsat GX for 787-9, A321LR connectivity
Gulf Air’s newest aircraft will feature inflight connectivity from Thales InFlyt, powered by the Inmarsat GX Aviation platform. The companies announced the deal today covering twenty five planes that will fly on longer routes.
Mahata secures additional funding to support Garuda GX rollout
Mahata Aero Technology (MAT) secured an additional $21 million in funding to help accelerate the growth of its budding inflight connectivity business. MAT is the integrator and financier behind the connectivity contracts for Garuda Indonesia and its LCC arm Citilink. The $21 million cash infusion will “accelerate the installation of inflight connectivity infrastructure in all Garuda Indonesia Group […]
Virgin Atlantic’s new A350 cabin delivers upgrades nose to tail
“There are new planes and then there are Virgin Atlantic new planes.” That’s the tag line the carrier used this week to introduce the cabin of its new A350-1000, set to fly at the end of the summer. The entire interior gets a refresh, with updated seats, entertainment and connectivity systems. Virgin Atlantic takes advantage of technology to refresh […]
PaxEx Premium: India inflight internet intentions
Where and when will inflight internet finally take flight in India. A pair of players – Inmarsat and Global Eagle – are leading the charge to deliver connected aircraft in the region. At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg last week both vendors provided updates on their efforts, with neither appearing likely to fly in 2019.
PaxEx Premium: A pleasant surprisESA
The only official announcement around electronically steered antennae (ESA) for commercial aircraft this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg came from Gogo. And it probably was the least significant ESA story from the show. Instead, a surprise from a different supplier stole the spotlight.
PaxEx Premium: Inmarsat set to go private, change very little
Inmarsat's financial future appears secured. A consortium of investors is poised to invest $3.4bn in the company, taking it private. The price tag represents a 45% premium from the trading rate on the day prior to speculation about the deal becoming public and 27% to the price when the official offer was published. Inmarsat's Board of Directors unanimously recommends the deal and committed their respective shares to vote in favor. The investment group is operating under the name Triton Bidco and is backed by Apax Funds, Warburg Pincus Funds, the Canada Pension Plan and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.
Air Senegal, SITAONAIR launch GX inflight connectivity in Africa
High speed inflight wifi is now flying over Africa as Air Senegal’s A330neo enters service. The solution is powered by SITAONAIR and Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network.