Connectivity: Endless Potential

Using a ground-based network, Gogo will this year be able to provide customers with speeds of up to 80 Mbps for the first time. Image: Gogo

Offering the best in-flight connectivity is a key consideration for many airlines and business jet operators today. Inflight Editor Satu Dahl looks at the latest moves in this highly competitive market.

Providing in-flight connectivity is a key part of the passenger experience, especially on longer flights, and companies in this field are an increasingly critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to achieving passenger satisfaction.

A big player in the business aviation connectivity market, Gogo works hard to meet this demand.

Chris Moore, CEO of Gogo, tells Inflight: “Both variants of our Gogo Galileo antennas have STCs, and we already have customers using the HDX in flight. The first FDX STC was confirmed in October, and Action Aviation of Dubai confirmed it would be installing the FDX Antenna on its Boeing Business Jet, BBJ 737.”

As of the start of December 2025, Gogo had 23 Gogo Galileo HDX variant STCs confirmed, covering a range of aircraft types including Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream and Textron types.

Another 17 STCs are contracted, with many expected to be completed before the end of Q1 2026.

Moore says: “We also have two FDX STCs, with another five in the works. More than 200 HDX units have shipped to MROs for installation on aircraft registered on three continents.”

Gogo recently signed business aviation operator VistaJet as a major Gogo Galileo customer. The operator is installing the antennas across its global fleet of some 270 aircraft and installations have already begun in Europe, with the USA and Asia following in Q1 2026.

The plan is to equip an aircraft every nine days, with 60 aircraft expected to be fitted with the Galileo technology over the next 18 months.

Moore adds: “Our customer support, capacity management and the high-performance capabilities of the HDX antennas contributed to the confirmation of the agreement. We have agreements in place with NetJets, LuxAviation, Wheels Up and Avcon Jet for either Galileo or 5G solutions. We also continue generating STCs for our Plane Simple tail-mount antenna series, which is now being flown on more than 2,000 business aviation aircraft globally.”

FUTURE GOALS

In the first half of this year, Gogo will be activating its first customers that are subscribed to its renewed 5G air-to ground (A2G) network.
Image: Gogo

Gogo continues evolving its product offering, with Moore saying that in the first half of 2026 the company will be activating its first customers that are subscribed to its renewed 5G air-to-ground (A2G) network.

“The latest iteration of the 5G offering brings high-speed broadband to aviation customers for the first time via a ground-based network. Customers will be able to stream, email, surf the net, and remain connected with speeds of up to 80 Mbps for the first time.

“For customers flying in the contiguous USA, this introduces a cost-effective, reliable and powerful connectivity solution supported by an experienced team. We also anticipate that this will be optimised by our mil-gov (military/government) customers as an alternative solution to satellite connectivity.”

Gogo’s goal is to make its customer offering future-proof so that it can protect customer investment.

“That’s a key driver in our planning,” notes Moore. “We are in discussions with future satellite partners and will continue to develop our customer support services.

“We are expanding in the mil-gov sector, which is an important part of our business, and we see much potential with our multi-orbit, multi-band offering to support the evolving connectivity needs in the sector.

“We want our customers to have the best possible connectivity experience and are focused on enabling them to do what they want in the air. Emulating the terrestrial digital experience at altitude is now an expectation, and this is what we are focused on supporting.”

In terms of technology, Gogo recently confirmed an agreement with Farcast of California to collaborate with the technology company to develop next-generation antennas.

Farcast has evolved a single-aperture, full-duplex flat panel antenna (FPA) that delivers reduced size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) for operators while simultaneously increasing bandwidth.

The technology simultaneously transmits and receives data from the same aperture in an FPA. The Active Electronically Scanned Antenna (AESA) technology uses electronic beam scanning to compensate for satellite motion from a single aperture, enabling the full-duplex FPA to reduce SWaP-C.

Moore says: “The antenna will complement the existing Gogo portfolio and support our strategy of delivering a multi-band, multi-orbit connectivity experience from a compact terminal. This will enhance the value proposition for Gogo customers in the future.”

ADDING VALUE

For Gogo, partnerships are essential, with Moore telling Inflight how partnering with other players in the industry adds value.

He says: “We have long and strong relationships with leading satellite companies Viasat (incorporating Inmarsat), SES (which acquired Intelsat) and Eutelsat with its OneWeb network.

“These relationships are essential for adding value to the Gogo customer proposition. We understand how their networks work, have evolved technology that is compatible with their offering, and have designed plans that ensure we can deliver the best possible connectivity for the customer mission through the multi-orbit offering.”

Moore explains that this approach streamlines customer support, as well as providing valuable support for the networks.

“We’re constantly monitoring data behaviour,” he says. “We can see anomalies, often before the customer using the technology, and can advise our partners so they can act on any coverage interruption.”

The company also values its MRO and dealer network partnerships. This network currently comprises more than 150 dealers with a presence in over 250 locations globally.

Nomad Technics of Switzerland, Falcon Technic in the UAE, and Elektronik Lab India Private Limited have all recently joined the global network, with Moore noting that the geographic spread demonstrates Gogo’s support for customers wherever they fly.

“This is very important, as it means that our customers can upgrade or maintain their maintenance as close to their own operating territory as possible.

“Eclipse Global Connectivity has also been recently appointed to support the growth in the EMEA military and government markets by leveraging Eclipse’s decades of expertise in providing comprehensive airborne SatCom solutions to the defence and government VIP transport sectors.

“The MROs are also invested in STC generation and provide ongoing customer support. As our representatives across the globe, they act as a force multiplier to our sales efforts and remain an important part of our business success.”

FROM EUROPE TO INDIA AND BEYOND

SkyFive is another company that provides air-to-ground in-flight connectivity services. In 2025, the company said it was validating its next-generation in-flight connectivity service in central Europe, with Diehl’s High Performance Controller – part of Diehl’s powerful CANSAS system – acting as an airborne terminal.

Further afield, SkyFive subsidiary SkyFive India has received its in-flight and maritime connectivity licence, allowing the company to provide air-to-ground services to airlines in the region for 10 years.

The company is the first in India to receive this licence, with a spokesperson noting that while ground-based mobile services have already seen significant penetration, most aircraft have not been connected until now primarily due to the limited performance and prohibitive cost of legacy systems.

“India has been a strategic market for us right from the start of SkyFive, and we have been quietly developing it for a while, both from a regulatory angle and to understand the demand and specific requirements of the local airlines,” the spokesperson says.

In the field of mobile communications, India has achieved the seemingly impossible – ranking among the top countries in daily mobile data consumption yet enjoying extremely low prices that make mobile services accessible to people on lower incomes.

SkyFive India’s spokesperson says: “We want to achieve the very same in the sky – that is, connect every aircraft and make in-flight Wi-Fi available to every passenger, such that it becomes a commodity like it did on the ground.

“We use similar tools for that: air-to-ground as a mobile technology that gives us ample (and uncontested) capacity and low cost at the same time, combined with a massive market and the Indian ingenuity to make things efficient.”

SkyFive India has been awarded a 10-year licence to provide air to-ground services. Image: SkyFive

Again, partnerships, and especially local partnerships, are essential for achieving the company’s objectives.

“We offer a variety of airborne terminals for different aircraft categories, all from leading avionics vendors that embedded our patented A2G technology into their equipment. Thales is probably the one most commonly known, but there are others as well. For the ground network, we partner with Nokia and one of the major Indian mobile network operators, which we will disclose a bit later.”

When it comes to SkyFive India’s customers, the spokesperson says: “We are working with one of the major Indian airlines, but we cannot share the name yet.

“Overall, we are targeting the entire Indian airline market, which is projected to continue its steep growth. For that reason, what we are deploying in India is the densest A2G network ever built, such that there is ample capacity for the expected demand right from the start.

“In addition to the commercial aviation sector, we are currently also exploring other market segments, including business aviation.”

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

In Saudi Arabia, SkyFive Arabia has transformed from a promising start-up into a leading service provider in just a few years, powering Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 with advanced digital aviation and sustainable growth.

Mohamed K AbdelRehim, CEO of SkyFive Arabia, tells Inflight: “Our journey is marked by strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and regional expansion – all driven by our next-generation air-to-ground connectivity.”

He adds that as the first company dedicated to building an aviation-focused connectivity network across the META region (Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa) and beyond, SkyFive Arabia is setting new standards for reliable, high-performance, and eco-friendly in-flight broadband.

“In 2024, we signed a landmark MoU to equip over 100 aircraft, strengthening our strategic alliance with stc Group, whose spectrum licence and network infrastructure are critical to deploying our air-to-ground services. Our innovative air-to-ground antenna – lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient – minimises drag, reduces fuel consumption, and delivers true home-like broadband in the sky.”

AbdelRehim notes that SkyFive’s ground-based network ensures consistently high-speed, low-latency connectivity with committed bit rates and service-level agreements, redefining the passenger experience for both commercial and private aviation.

He says: “Regionally, we are expanding across multiple aviation segments. In Egypt, our collaboration with AITA supports commercial and private deployments. In South Africa, our partnership with Oracle Aviation extends coverage to private jets and turboprops.”

AbdelRehim adds that in Türkiye, SkyFive Arabia’s collaboration with Turkcell and ongoing engagement with BTK and local partners is paving the way for air-to-ground coverage and discussions with different airlines in Türkiye to have the A2G service.

He says: “In the UAE and Oman, agreements with local mobile network operators (MNOs) and regulators, in addition to local airlines, are in advanced stages – bringing A2G services closer to reality across the Gulf. Collectively, these initiatives position SkyFive Arabia as the emerging leader in dedicated aviation connectivity – delivering transformative aviation-first solutions across the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa.”

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS

Looking ahead, AbdelRehim explains that the core company foundations are constructed with three pillars.

He says: “The first pillar is geographic expansion, where we are accelerating the rollout of A2G infrastructure across the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa. Part of this expansion are operational hubs in Egypt and Türkiye; these hubs will operate alongside SkyFive Arabia to provide in-flight connectivity services to all airlines across Egypt’s network.”

It will also ensure that Egyptian airlines remain connected throughout both the META and European regions through the SkyFive-Viasat roaming agreement.

“This coordinated approach strengthens our ability to deliver contiguous A2G coverage across the region’s most essential flight corridors,” says AbdelRehim.

“The second pillar is market diversification, where we are expanding beyond our initial commercial airline programmes into business aviation, private jets and helicopters. These aviation segments demand the high performance, ultra-low latency and reliability that only a dedicated aviation-first network can offer.

“We also see substantial value in partnering with mobile network operators across the META region, enabling them to extend their services into the aviation sector without relying on shared satellite capacity or fluctuating satellite-based rates.”

The third pillar is technology and environmental leadership, grounded in the advantages of the company’s A2G architecture.

AbdelRehim says that keeping the entire connectivity infrastructure from Earth delivers the lowest latency, most sustainable and data-sovereign, home-like broadband, real-time data exchange and new digital channels that enhance operational efficiency and unlock revenue for airlines.

This architecture also reduces fuel burn and carbon emissions by eliminating heavy satellite hardware, thereby supporting the region’s sustainability goals.

Together, according to AbdelRehim, these pillars outline a clear and focused roadmap for transforming the META region’s in-flight connectivity landscape through performance, reliability, and sustainable innovation.

He also notes that partnerships are the cornerstone of achieving the company’s long-term endeavours.

COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT

Delivering next-generation in-flight connectivity requires a collaborative ecosystem where aviation, telecommunications and technology integration operate seamlessly together.

While SkyFive Arabia provides a dedicated network, scaling this solution across the META region relies on the combined strengths of telecom operators, aviation leaders and technology integrators.

Telecom partners form the backbone of this journey, while leading MNOs such as stc, Turkcell, and others contribute national coverage, licensed spectrum, infrastructure access and regulatory alignment.

For AbdelRehim, these elements are essential to building a high-performance ground network that ensures reliable, aviation-exclusive connectivity.

He says: “This approach stands in sharp contrast to traditional satellite systems, where bandwidth is shared across multiple sectors – including government, defence, media, maritime, oil & gas, and consumer services – diluting performance for aviation.

“Collaboration with top aviation industry players further accelerates deployment. Partnerships with major MROs, avionics equipment manufacturers and software providers such as Lufthansa Technik, SAMI, Kontron and others enable the smooth installation and rollout of airborne equipment.

“Their expertise ensures certified, high-quality installations with minimal aircraft downtime and efficient modifications. Airline partners, spanning both commercial and business aviation, bring scale and operational insight. Their fleets, routes and service models are instrumental in delivering the advantages of air-to-ground connectivity directly to passengers, enhancing the onboard experience and setting new standards for aviation connectivity.

“By uniting these strengths, partnerships drive the deployment of SkyFive Arabia’s technology, mitigate risks, and solidify our position as the region’s only provider delivering reliable, exclusive aviation connectivity.”

When it comes to customers, SkyFive Arabia is excited to expand its customer base initially through a soft launch service rollout in Saudi Arabia.

AbdelRehim says: “In addition to this exciting development, we aim to rapidly expand to consumers across commercial airlines, business aviation and regional operators, reflecting strong demand for low latency, environmentally friendly and reliable strong connectivity in the skies. We aim to remain engaged with multiple airlines across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), Africa and Europe.”

STRATEGIC GROWTH

In addition to partnerships, strategic acquisitions offer companies a way to stay ahead of the competition.

Hughes recently announced that it had acquired aerospace engineering and manufacturing company Anderson Connectivity, marking a major step forward for Hughes Aviation.

A company spokesperson tells Inflight that the acquisition strengthens Hughes’ ability to design engineering and build aerospace products that support its in-flight connectivity solutions.

“The Melbourne facility, which holds FAA Part 145 certification and is moving toward Part 21 certification, will become our hub for rapid prototyping, product development and hands-on collaboration with airlines.

“Hughes has been delivering in-flight connectivity for more than 20 years. By bringing Anderson’s team and capabilities, we’re accelerating our innovation cycle and deepening the value we bring to airline partners.

Anderson Connectivity has recently been acquired by Hughes Aviation.
Image: Anderson Connectivity

“This investment directly supports our strategy to provide flexible, reliable, and future-ready in-flight connectivity (IFC) solutions that meet airline needs today and evolve with them tomorrow.”

The spokesperson notes that, in this market, no one succeeds by standing still.

“Strategic investments like Anderson Connectivity allow us to add specialised aerospace expertise that complement our strengths in satellite engineering, manufacturing, and managed network services.”

At the same time, partnerships remain essential, with the spokesperson adding: “We believe in an open, collaborative ecosystem. Hughes works with leading satellite operators and transport providers across GEO, LEO and 5G to deliver multi-transport solutions that scale globally. That combination of internal innovation and external collaboration allows us to stay agile and consistently deliver best-in-class performance for airlines and passengers.”

THE FINAL FRONTIER

Saudi Arabia’s commercial space services provider Neo Space Group (NSG) has also been active in acquisitions recently, acquiring wireless in-flight entertainment and connectivity company Display Interactive.

The completion of the deal in September last year is of strategic importance to NSG and an important step in advancing flexible, tailored IFC solutions for airlines not only across the Middle East, but across Europe, Asia and Africa.

A company spokesperson says: “The market is currently fixated on offering passengers a full, fast and free IFC solution which, while relevant for some, given the costs to facilitate this, doesn’t present an attractive or responsible proposition for many other airlines.

“At NSG we know that no two airlines are the same. The acquisition of Display Interactive gives us the tools, the software and the expertise to tailor our in-flight connectivity solutions to the realities of the individual airline.

“Whether they want to monetise connectivity, use connectivity to drive ancillary revenue opportunities or develop a hybrid offering, NSG can create bespoke solutions which exceed passenger expectations while meeting the objectives of the airline.”

The spokesperson notes that Display Interactive brings years of experience in developing customised passenger portals for airlines such as Qatar Airways and Aegean Airlines.

“Portals are often seen as an unnecessary barrier to getting passengers connected. However, in our opinion they remain a key element in the broader digital experience. The portal gives the airline the opportunity not only to own the passengers’ digital and connected experience but also personalise it.”

On this view, the portal is the airline’s digital shop window – a vital touchpoint through which passengers discover connectivity, entertainment, retail, destination services and loyalty features.

The spokesperson says: “It is the one part of the IFC experience the airline can fully own and control. Why would you give that away? Our SkyFly passenger portal gives the airline a unique customised platform to engage with their customer, as part of the broader digital journey, and build longer-lasting relationships and loyalty.”

MULTI-ORBIT CAPABILITIES

NSG Aviation has ambitious plans within the IFC market, with the spokesperson saying: “We have already been selected and are working with leading airlines from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines.

“With over 300 aircraft in our pipeline – and over 50 aircraft commercially active today – we are looking to expand our market share and geographical footprint in 2026 and beyond.”

Partners are an important part of the company’s connected ecosystem, as well as working with the likes of Airbus and Boeing.

The spokesperson says: “We are closely aligned with SPI and Eclipse for both line-fit and retrofit solutions. Through SPI we are offerable on the HBC+ programme and we have already secured a number of line-fit selections on the A350 aircraft. We also recently announced that Thai Airways has selected NSG for their line-fit Boeing 787 aircraft. These milestones not only demonstrate the confidence of leading international carriers in NSG’s ability to deliver advanced connectivity but also secure our position on two of the world’s most significant aircraft platforms.”

The company’s partnership with SES and its participation in the Open Orbits initiative is integral to NSG’s offering.

“Open Orbits gives us access to multi-orbit capabilities which leverage the benefits of GEO assets globally as well as MEO satellites which drive the passenger experience and deliver a low latency solution which facilitates all major applications. Through Open Orbits we’re able to deliver service across regions which are traditionally difficult to access.”

The Open Orbits architecture will be further enhanced from early 2027 with the addition of the SES M-Power satellites.

The spokesperson says: “Far from resting on our laurels, we continue to seek new partnerships – and we’ll be announcing some of these at Aircraft Interiors in Hamburg in April 2026.”

This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Inflight. To read more articles like this, apply for your complimentary subscription today.