After a decade of work to develop and deliver a new, high speed inflight connectivity solution SmartSky is halting operations.
in-flight wifi
Viasat adds SES-17 capacity for IFC boost
With just 10% of ViaSat-3 F1 available, Viasat has found partners to help support its growing inflight internet program. SES-17 is now confirmed as one of the satellites in play.
American’s first satellite Wi-Fi CR7 is back in service
The first plane plane purposefully fitted for multi-orbit inflight internet service is back in service. The CRJ-700, operated by SkyWest for American Eagle, has completed its installation program and is carrying passengers once again.
SES, ThinKom expand testing for multi-orbit inflight connectivity
SES and ThinKom received approval this week from the FCC to conduct terrestrial testing of the Ka2517 terminal against the O3b constellation, joining a similar approval issued for testing against SES-17 in July. And there’s more to follow.
Another profitable quarter for Gogo, along with another 5G program slip
Gogo continues to deliver profitable quarterly earnings, including growing service revenue in Q2 2024. Timing on its next generation programs, however, continues to slip.
ViaSat-3 enters service, delivering inflight internet on Hawaii flights
The first ViaSat-3 satellite is now in service, providing increased capacity for the company’s airline customers, most notably including roughly 2400 monthly trips between Hawaii and the mainland.
Multi-orbit connectivity now flying on regional jets
The first commercial aircraft to be fitted with the Intelsat multi-orbit solution, featuring the Gilat/Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal has left the installation facility and appears to be headed towards entry into passenger service.
Turkish plans free inflight Wi-Fi
Turkish Airlines is promising “free and unlimited Wi-Fi to our entire fleet by the end of 2025.” The reality, however, is slightly more complicated.
Viasat rejigs financial reporting
Viasat’s new reporting structure breaks out revenue by segment much more clearly than before, exposing a couple interesting trends.
Viasat confirms connectivity plans for LOT Polish Dreamliners
Viasat will provide inflight Wi-Fi service to LOT Polish Airlines’ fleet of Dreamliners from 2026 as part of a planned retrofit for the 787s.