APEXEXPO2019: Collins Aerospace and SES team up to launch LuxStream for business aviation

By September 12, 2019 April 24th, 2020 Business aviation, Featured, IFEC

Collins Aerospace Systems, part of United Technologies, is teaming up with SES to launch LuxStream connectivity service for business aviation, suggesting it will provide “the fastest broadband speeds available within the US.”

The companies say LuxStream will be the only service offering speeds up to 25 Mbps in the US and 15 Mbps globally via SES’s managed Ku-band satellite network.

“In-flight connectivity is often cited by operators as the most important experience to provide on board, especially for long-range flights,” said LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, Information Management Services for Collins Aerospace. “By working with SES to bring LuxStream to the business aviation segment, we’re meeting that need by providing speeds and services that are unparalleled in the industry.”

Vista Global will be the launch customer for the new system and Collins Aerospace will deliver the LuxStream service as well as its new Collins Aerospace Cabin Router on the fleet of aircraft for both its brands – VistaJet and XO. This will start with the company’s 36 Global business jets under VistaJet.

The companies suggest the higher bandwidth of the LuxStream service will enable more VistaJet Members to use more devices and apps simultaneously whilst flying anywhere in the world.

JP Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks explained: “LuxStream is powered by SES’s global geostationary high-throughput and wide satellite beams, as well as a flexible, intelligent ground network. Its performance has been validated extensively with a large number of passengers who were able to easily access the internet and stream entertainment content to their personal devices at 25 Mbps.”

The new solution, available as part of Collins Aerospace’s ARINCDirect portfolio of services, will provide VistaJet and XO with additional benefits including high quality bandwidth, flexible pricing models to meet the aircraft’s mission, an always-on service enabled by the redundancy and resiliency offered by SES satellites and a turn-key solution with both hardware and service provided by Collins Aerospace.

“Even at 45,000 feet, connectivity is key for business owners to continue working efficiently or families to keep in touch and unwind during their flight,” said Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of Vista Global. “LuxStream will provide all our Members with that exceptional and consistent experience that Vista Global and its brands are known for. This investment is another testimony of our global industry leadership.”

Astronics Corporation will provide its Ku-band tail-mounted satellite communications (SATCOM) antenna technology for the Collins Aerospace Ku SAT-2000 solution.

Collins Aerospace will be the primary point of contact for all sales and technical support requirements, giving dealers and customers an expedited and unified response to all questions concerning the LuxStream service and hardware solution. Collins Aerospace will receive direct support from Astronics’ technical team to address any customer requirements

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