(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Michal Krakowiak)
British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat and Honeywell Aerospace have reached a major milestone in delivering high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi. The two firms completed the first phase of flight tests for GX Aviation broadband services, validating both the satellite network and the onboard hardware.
The test aircraft connected to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite constellation using Honeywell’s JetWave hardware. That combination is designed to serve as the backbone for passenger and crew internet access via GX Aviation’s global Ka‑band in-flight Wi‑Fi service.
Tests demonstrated capabilities that were previously impractical for airborne connections, including streaming YouTube videos and live radio, hosting online conference calls, downloading large files, and other data-intensive tasks to show the increased speed and reliability achieved by the two companies.
“We are on the cusp of a new era of connectivity in the skies, and the successful testing of our JetWave hardware with Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network is a critical step in getting this service ready for public use,” said Jack Jacobs, Vice President of Safety and Connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace.
“Airlines, passengers and pilots continue to demand better, more consistent and faster in-flight Wi‑Fi to make their jobs easier and travel experience better. The successful results of the recent tests signify that Honeywell and Inmarsat will soon satisfy these demands.”
High-speed satellite internet has long been available on the ground through Inmarsat’s satellites in regions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Delivering that level of performance in flight, however, has been more challenging—passengers have often encountered slow speeds and inconsistent connectivity that limit what they can do online.
Leo Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said these flight trials are a significant step toward launching GX Aviation and offering a true broadband experience in the air. “With GX Aviation, airlines and their passengers can finally experience a connectivity service equivalent to what they are used to on the ground,” he said.
“Simply having Wi‑Fi on board is no longer a differentiator—the future will be defined by service quality. With GX Aviation paired with Honeywell’s JetWave equipment, Inmarsat aims to deliver a seamless, consistent passenger experience across all airline routes.”
He added that while industry discussions often focus on the “connected aircraft” or “e‑enabled aircraft,” those concepts have remained largely aspirational because reliable, fast in-flight internet was not widely available. “GX Aviation changes that. We will set the standards for broadband in the sky.”
Are you looking forward to high-speed in-flight Wi‑Fi services? Let us know in the comments.