Inflight connectivity
Top providers ensure seamless data transfer, communications, and entertainment enroute to your destination.
By Jake Carpenter
Contributing Writer
Today’s business aviation users expect an inflight connectivity experience that is comparable to that they experience on the ground. The latest annual survey conducted by Viasat has confirmed it.
In a representative sample of 11,053 domestic and international respondents, the latest results once again highlight that inflight connectivity is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have. In this article, we present the most innovative companies providing inflight connectivity options for business aviation today.
Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace’s offerings include Jet ConneX, SwiftBroadband (SBB), Viasat Ka-band, Viasat Ku – Advanced, Iridium Certus, LuxStream, and SwiftJet.
Jet ConneX delivers highly robust inflight connectivity tailored for business aviation with global coverage – excluding the polar regions. It operates on the Ka-band and provides data speeds ranging from 1.5 Mbps to 20 Mbps – enough to enable comprehensive office-in-the-sky functionality.
The connectivity service, powered by Inmarsat-5 satellites, is managed by Collins, which supplies the connectivity rather than the hardware. Its single, integrated architecture enhances service quality by minimizing satellite and ground station handoffs, while its fully redundant ground network achieves 95% network availability.
Jet ConneX is particularly suited for larger business aircraft. New JetXP plans have also been recently announced, which will offer uncapped speeds, expanded capacity, and increased network priority.
SwiftBroadband (SBB) provides a reliable cabin connectivity solution for business aviation, and offers global coverage (excluding the polar regions). Operating over L-band with data speeds of up to 432 kbps, SBB enables basic Internet browsing, email, voice over IP (VoIP), fax, and VPN access. Powered by Inmarsat-4 satellites, this service is ideal for aircraft requiring dependable communication capabilities without the need for high-speed data.
Viasat Ka-band is the first inflight Wi-Fi service without speed limits for business aviation. The service operates on the Ka-band, with typical data speeds exceeding 30 Mbps, peak speeds surpassing 90 Mbps, and a committed information rate of 8 Mbps.
It is designed for heavy data usage, and can be paired with Viasat Ku networks for fully global coverage. As with its Jet ConneX, Collins provides the connectivity service.
Viasat Ku – Advanced is particularly suited for heavy traffic routes, with data speeds ranging from 5 to 10 Mbps within the continental US, and 3 to 6 Mbps globally, supporting activities like streaming video, Internet browsing, video chat, VoIP, and VPN. Collins sells the connectivity service, while Viasat offers a large range of flexible plans for its Ku – Advanced solution, including 2-year, month-to-month, and hourly options.
Iridium Certus provides truly global coverage through L-band, with data speeds of up to 704 kbps – even in the polar regions. Powered by Collins’ IRT NX Satcom system, the service leverages the Iridium NEXT constellation of 66 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for high data rates and reliable, fade-free connectivity even in poor weather conditions. The system is well-suited for aircraft of any size, and offers low power consumption and reduced drag from its low-profile antenna. Applications range from complementing existing Ku-/Ka-band service in large cabins to introducing cabin Internet to small and medium-size aircraft.
LuxStream offers worldwide high-speed Internet coverage on Ku-band, and provides data speeds of up to 25 Mbps in the continental US, and up to 15 Mbps globally. It is designed for business passengers who need extremely fast, reliable streaming video, Internet browsing, video chat, VoIP, and VPN capabilities. Collins is the exclusive provider of both service and hardware.
The system is powered by the KUSAT-2000 Tail Mount Broadband Internet Satcom system, featuring minimal beam-to-beam switchover latency, compatibility with both next-generation spot beam and traditional wide-beam satellites, as well as reduced weight and power usage. It also integrates seamlessly with most existing aircraft routers.
STCs are available for Boeing BBJ, Gulfstream, and Bombardier Global and Challenger series aircraft. The more than 300 certified installers and resellers of LuxStream hardware are members of the Collins dealer network.
Viasat’s SwiftJet will launch in 2025. It will provide global coverage (excluding polar regions) and operate on L-band with data speeds up to 2.6 Mbps. As a hardware upgrade to SBB, SwiftJet will enable passengers to create a secure, fully functional office in the sky that supports video calls, Internet browsing, email, texting, and cloud-syncing, along with robust collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams.
Powered by Inmarsat’s ELERA satellite network, SwiftJet will also be fast enough for social media use and video streaming, which were previously limited capabilities on L-band networks.
Satcom Direct
Satcom Direct (SD) provides some of the most advanced inflight connectivity products for business aviation. SD uses its advanced infrastructure, comprising satellite ground stations, data centers, and points of presence – all linked via a fully redundant private terrestrial network – to provide inflight connectivity on more than 8000 aircraft globally.
The company offers 5 key products – Plane Simple Ka-band, Plane Simple Ku-band, Plane Simple Dual Dissimilar Antenna, Plane Simple Ku-band Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA), and a multi-level cybersecurity system.
Plane Simple Ka-band offers reliable global high-speed connectivity via the Viasat Jet ConneX service, with fast data speeds of up to 20 Mbps. It is designed as a tail mount antenna, and operates on Viasat GX and next-generation networks, which makes it especially suitable for mid-sized business aircraft. The system’s streamlined design includes only 2 line replaceable units (LRUs), which greatly augments its efficiency and ease of maintenance.
Plane Simple Ku-band delivers dependable, very high-speed connectivity globally, and uses Intelsat’s FlexExec network. With data speeds of up to 25 Mbps and hardware capabilities reaching up to 100 Mbps, it constitutes an excellent solution for mid-size to heavy business aircraft. The system also has a small footprint, with only one tail mount antenna and 2 LRUs.
Plane Simple Dual Dissimilar Antenna provides excellent reliability and global connectivity by using 2 antenna systems on separate networks. This unique design offers customers access to multi-orbit, high-speed data networks, which ensures full linear redundancy. By leveraging the best aspects of Ka-band and Ku-band services, the system optimizes connectivity based on geographic location and traffic routes. It is also currently the only agnostic, dual dissimilar next-generation connectivity solution available. The system is offered in both tail-mounted and flat panel designs.
Plane Simple Ku-band ESA offers data speeds up to 195 Mbps. It uses a flat-panel antenna that is mounted on the fuselage. Its compact design enables smaller aircraft, previously limited to ATG and L-band systems, to access high-performance satellite connectivity. Set to enter service in early 2025, this LEO solution operates on the Eutelsat OneWeb network. SD is offering an industry-first 3-year plan for its Plane Simple Ku-band ESA terminal, with a fixed monthly fee of $15,000 and no initial capital outlay.
SD’s cybersecurity system is a 3-tier plan designed to fully safeguard customers from data breaches through a sophisticated and redundant combination of human expertise, machine learning, and advanced technology. “Our ecosystem of hardware, software, and ground infrastructure gives customers confidence that our team applies deep-rooted methodologies to business operations, workforce experience, and clearly defined IT processes, for a structured approach to managing data security,” explains SD CCO Michael Skou Christensen.
Level 1 provides entry-level active threat monitoring, in which cybersecurity experts at SD’s Network Operations Center (NOC) proactively observe live flight data for anomalies and respond to potential threats. Level 2 delivers an advanced encryption service built specifically for business aviation, using Satcom Direct Router (SDR) platforms and infrastructure to create a secure, accelerated pathway for encrypted data.
And Level 3 comprises the SD Private Network, which transforms the aircraft cabin into a completely secure corporate workspace by routing data directly between the aircraft, the SD Data Center, and the customer’s corporate facility.
SD STCs are available for Bombardier Global, Dassault Falcon, and Gulfstream aircraft. Installations are handled by various OEMs and a global network of MROs, such as Skyservice and Duncan Aviation.
Gogo Business Aviation
Gogo is a primary provider of inflight connectivity for business aviation. More than 7000 business aircraft use its products and services. In late 2020, Gogo sold its commercial aviation inflight connectivity business to Intelsat, which enabled it to focus entirely on business aviation. The company offers Avance L3, Avance L5, and Galileo.
Avance L3 and Avance L5. Avance L3 provides air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity via 2 omni-directional antennas mounted on the aircraft’s belly. Avance L5, on the other hand, is a faster 4G system that uses 2Ku satellite-based Wi-Fi technology. Avance L5 can be paired with HDX or FDX antennas to provide both ATG and global satellite service. Gogo’s ATG network covers the contiguous US, large parts of Canada, and Alaska. Avance L3 and L5 are offered as factory options by all major business aircraft manufacturers. There are approximately 120 retailers and installers of Avance L3 and L5 globally. In North America, major installers include Duncan Aviation, West Star Aviation, and Elliott Aviation.
Gogo’s Galileo system is set for release in 2025. It is a global broadband service designed to bring home- and office-like Wi-Fi to business aircraft of any size. Leveraging LEO satellite technology, Galileo overcomes the limitations of traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite Internet options.
LEO satellite connectivity is ideal for smaller aircraft which currently have no broadband options if they operate outside of North America. “Our HDX antenna is small enough to fit on any size business aircraft, which is something no one else is offering,” adds Gogo Business Aviation President and COO Sergio Aguirre.
Galileo also integrates seamlessly with the Avance platform, using either the smaller HDX or larger FDX antennae, and is delivered via a single LRU with Gogo’s ESA. For smaller aircraft, the system offers speeds of 57 Mbps and peak speeds up to 60 Mbps with the HDX antenna. For larger aircraft, it will achieve speeds of 189 Mbps and peak speeds up to 195 Mbps with the FDX antenna. Galileo has 8 STC programs covering 5300-plus aircraft.
In September 2024, it was also announced that Gogo Business Aviation will acquire Satcom Direct. Representatives from both Gogo Business Aviation and Satcom Direct have stated that their businesses will continue to operate as usual, at least until the acquisition is completed.
Honeywell
Honeywell Aerospace Technologies provides an impressive portfolio of inflight connectivity solutions for business aviation, which operate across various satellite networks, frequency bands, and orbits.
JetWave X offers wide coverage and extremely fast data speeds by leveraging Viasat’s Ka-band network, including ViaSat-3 and the Global Xpress (GX) satellites from Viasat’s newly acquired Inmarsat business.
This multi-network solution delivers typical speeds greater than 30 Mbps that can reach up to 100 Mbps, even in congested flight corridors. It features dual modems and allow seamless roaming across up to 3 networks. It is also future-proof, as it is designed with an open architecture that ensures compatibility with next-generation Ka-band networks (expected between 2025 and 2027).
Honeywell uses a network agnostic framework that allows JetWave X system modems to be interchangeable. Current JetWave systems will also experience a performance boost with the existing systems being able to support the higher speeds of new JX Evolution plans.
Aspire 400 offers fast voice and data services over the Iridium Certus and Inmarsat ELERA networks. It provides robust SBB capabilities over L-band for smaller cabins or as a backup to a primary Satcom system. Aspire 400 delivers single or dual-channel SBB connectivity with its 2-MCU satellite data unit (SDU) transceiver. The system also allows operators to pair it with other Honeywell solutions to further augment reliability, increase network coverage, and minimize connection downtime.
The upcoming HD-710 SwiftJet constitutes the fastest available L-band connectivity service, with speeds up to 2.6 Mbps. “SwiftJet’s results represent a major leap forward for L-band connectivity,” says Honeywell Aerospace Senior Director of Product Management Mark Goodman. “Honeywell and Viasat have tested the technology from end-to-end across the satellite network, giving customers confidence to proceed with SwiftJet commercial deployment and entry into service by the end of the year.”
It is achievable through a simple terminal upgrade to the existing HD-710 SBB system or other Honeywell terminals, such as the HSD-440, HSD-400, and Aspire 400.
Viasat
Viasat holds a central position in the global communications sector. The company completed its acquisition of industry giant Inmarsat in spring 2023.
This acquisition has enabled Viasat to greatly expand and synergize its already impressive business aviation inflight connectivity products and services. “Viasat’s acquisition of Inmarsat last year has already delivered a host of benefits for business aviation customers,” declares Viasat Head of Business Aviation Kai Tang.
“We identified the aspects of both organizations’ offerings that were most valuable to operators and we’ve streamlined them, bringing the best of both together. We’ve already announced new satellites, terminal innovations, and service plans, marking a transformative step-change in both our Ka-band and L-band capabilities.”
Viasat’s satellite network covers 90% of the world’s top business aviation flight paths. Its inflight connectivity products for business aviation include the ViaSat-3 global satellite constellation, Jet ConneX, Viasat Ka, SwiftJet, and SBB.
ViaSat-3 is Viasat’s next generation of ultra-high-capacity Ka-band geostationary satellites. The first satellite entered service in summer 2024, with 2 additional satellites currently in the final stages of production and testing. Thermal vacuum testing has also been completed on ViaSat-3 F3, and mechanical environmental testing on ViaSat-3 F2. These satellites are designed to deliver download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps and at least 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of throughput. This represents a capacity increase of 600% over Viasat’s previous fleet. Powered by the modified Boeing 702MP+ bus with more than 25kW and 8 solar panels, each satellite weighs approximately 6 metric tons. The system also offers dynamic bandwidth allocation, which allows its enormous capacity to be shifted to where it is needed most.
Jet ConneX is a high-speed Ka-band inflight connectivity solution designed for a wide range of business jets. Powered by Viasat’s GX Ka-band satellites, Jet ConneX supports live television, conference calls, large file transfers, corporate VPN access, and other data-intensive activities. Jet ConneX has STCs for 30-plus aircraft models and is installed on more than 1500 business jets globally. Viasat is also expanding its Ka-band network and introducing 3 next-generation terminals, developed in partnership with Satcom Direct, Orbit, and Honeywell to further augment Jet ConneX’s capabilities.
Viasat Ka is a powerful, high-performance Internet solution that is suitable for a broad range of business jets. The service provides uncapped usage and speeds, offering typical data rates greater than 30 Mbps. Viasat Ka is now available as a line-fit option with major OEMs and has STCs on 22 different airframes.
SwiftJet provides customers with global coverage with speeds up to 2.6 Mbps. Set to enter commercial service in 2025, SwiftJet can serve as primary connectivity for smaller or older aircraft, or as a complementary system to Ka-band services.
It uses advanced Honeywell hardware, and is compatible with a wide range of aircraft. Existing SBB customers can upgrade to SwiftJet through a simple process without replacing externally mounted equipment, while new customers will experience an equally straightforward installation.
Viasat has partnered with Satcom Direct, Honeywell, and Collins as distribution partners for SwiftJet.
Viasat’s SBB is a robust L-band service that provides reliable inflight voice and data connectivity with global coverage. With speeds up to 432 kbps, it is also ideal as primary connectivity for smaller or older aircraft, or as a complementary system to Viasat’s Jet ConneX Ka-band service. The system uses relatively small antennae, which makes it a suitable and efficient solution for aircraft that require dependable communication without the need for high-speed data.
Viasat’s business aviation inflight connectivity serves more than 5000 business jets, including Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, and Bombardier. Installation is available at numerous MROs, including Duncan Aviation and Jet Aviation. Viasat also has a network of independent dealers in more than 80 countries, such as StandardAero and Airbus Corporate Jets. Service providers include Satcom Direct, Honeywell, and Collins.
Conclusion
Industry data shows that seamless inflight connectivity is an absolute expectation for business jet travelers. As a consequence, aviation companies have experienced intense pressure to provide first-rate inflight connectivity solutions.
Five remarkable companies have done precisely that – Collins Aerospace, Gogo Business Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Satcom Direct, and Viasat. Their solutions provide exceptionally fast, reliable connectivity, and range from sophisticated satellite-based Wi-Fi technologies, to pioneering air-to-ground (ATG) networks, to technologically-advanced antennae systems, to complete network security.
It is clear that, as Internet speed, reliability, coverage, and security continue to advance in homes and offices, these companies will continue to ensure that business aviation customers experience even greater connectivity capabilities at 30,000 ft.