18 Months In, Inmarsat Notches 275th Jet Connex Install

Satellite communications provider Inmarsat (Booth X107) announced this week at EBACE that in the less than 18 months since its Jet Connex business aviation in-flight Wi-Fi service was introduced, the system has been installed on 275 business jets. The highspeed global data service, which offers customers the same fast and reliable connectivity in the air that had previously only been available on the ground, has data plans of up to 15Mbps and global coverage.

“The fact that 275 aircraft have been installed with Jet Connex in such a short space of time is a major endorsement of the service from customers,” said Michael Rack, the Ka-band network operator’s senior vice president of core business. “In the business aviation market, it’s clear that manufacturers, owners, and passengers all compete to have the very best products and services, so positive word-of-mouth about standout offerings travels fast.” He added demand remains strong among business aviation travelers, particularly Fortune 500 customers, and the company looks forward to more activations in the coming months.

Airframers such as Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault, and Embraer offer the system on board their aircraft. Jet Connex has also seen substantial acceptance as a retrofit, with more than 40 type certificates and supplemental type certificates already awarded, including for all Boeing and Airbus bizliners.

Aircraft connect to the service through Honeywell’s JetWave hardware. The company has thus far delivered more than 1,000 of the systems to business aviation and commercial customers.