As the next generation of in-flight connectivity technology starts to show signs of actually flying, where will the impact be felt the most?
Satellite
JSX selects Starlink for in-flight WiFi
SpaceX signed the first airline customer for its Starlink satellite service. JSX will offer in-flight WiFi powered by the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, with the first plane expected to be equipped later this year.
Viasat secures installation approval in China
Viasat took another major step forward in its efforts to deliver in-flight Wi-Fi service over China. The CAAC now will permit installations on A320 family aircraft thanks to a newly issued certification.
China Airlines selects Inmarsat GX by SITA for A321neo in-flight WiFi
Passengers on China Airlines’ new A321neo fleet can access high speed internet service in the sky. The carrier selected SITA to deliver its Internet ONAIR product on board, backed by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation satellite network.
Two more ESAs prepare for flight
More electronically steered antenna (ESAs) solutions will be flying later this year. At least two more companies are looking to launch test flights of the new technology with a focus on eventually serving commercial aircraft.
Hughes shows off flat panel antenna for OneWeb service
It is not a product, at least not quite yet. But Hughes is showing off a cool new flat-panel antenna* that will soon be used for enterprise connections to the OneWeb low earth orbit satellite constellation.
Is Starlink finally ready for commercial flight?
“We are already on airplanes. We are testing the antenna and working towards certification.”
With that statement at the Satellite 2022 conference in Washington, DC this week, Jonathan Hofeller, VP of Starlink Commercial Sales kicked off another round of speculation about what the future of in-flight connectivity will be.
Intelsat, Gilat sign multi-million dollar modem contract
Intelsat’s future in-flight connectivity implementations are slated for an upgrade. The company announced a multi-million dollar deal with Gilat to implement the SkyEdge IV Taurus Modem in its on-board terminals.
Breeze picks Viasat for WiFi in the sky
Chalk up another in-flight WiFi win for Viasat. Breeze selected the satellite provider to deliver internet service on its A220 fleet beginning later this year.
Satcom Direct connects with new Jet ConneX terminal
Satcom Direct aims to deliver a new Ka-band option to its Plane Simple in-flight connectivity platform next year. The company announced that a test version of the kit successfully communicated with an Inmarsat satellite. This brings the solution a step closer for commercial deployment.