Airlines are leveraging connectivity through passenger mobile apps and devices to increase brand engagement and provide a seamless on-line experience from home to airport, boarding and in-flight to destination. Over the next decade, the number of commercial aircraft equipped with a mobile Wi-Fi service is projected to grow nearly tenfold as more airlines provide satellite-based Wi-Fi connectivity to both cabin and cockpit (source Northern Sky Research).

Satellites are the key technology to unlock the potential of in-flight connectivity, with multiple spotbeam architecture and high frequency reuse of High Throughput Satellites and payloads. Eutelsat already serves in-flight connectivity and live TV markets through seven satellites, from 117° West to 172° East: EUTELSAT 117 West A, 115 West B, 3B, KA-SAT, 10A, 70B and 172A.

Eutelsat Air Access

Eutelsat Air Access is designed to accelerate the deployment of in-flight connectivity for airline passengers in Europe. The mobile service uses ViaSat SurfBeam® 2 technology and is deployed on Eutelsat’s KA-SAT high throughput satellite. 

Leveraging the high transmission speeds and bandwidth of KA-SAT, Air Access allows aeronautical service providers to offer passengers top-quality Internet access, videostreaming and GSM services via tablets, smartphones and laptops.

Innovative HTS Satellite for Asia-Pacific

An innovative High Throughput Ku-band payload on the EUTELSAT 172B satellite has been designed for in-flight broadband with multiple user spots optimised to serve busy Asian and trans-Pacific flight paths.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation has selected the EUTELSAT 172B satellite as its platform for trans-Pacific and Asian in-flight broadband and live TV services for commercial airlines.