Gogo Expands Connectivity with STCs, Network Upgrades

Gogo is advancing its in-flight connectivity offerings with a series of supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals, network infrastructure modernization, and expanded terminal options across multiple aircraft platforms as the company positions itself to meet growing bandwidth demands in business aviation.

Last month, the company secured FAA STC approval for its Galileo HDX (half-duplex) terminal on the Falcon 2000 family, marking the first HDX certification for a Dassault business jet. The modification, developed in collaboration with Dassault Falcon Jet in Little Rock, Arkansas, covers Falcon 2000EX, EX EASy, DX, LX, LXS, and S models.

“The Falcon 2000 is exactly the type of aircraft we developed Gogo Galileo HDX to serve,” said Gogo CEO Chris Moore. Installation requires two line-replaceable units—the HDX antenna and Avance platform—and provides connectivity through Eutelsat's OneWeb low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Gogo anticipates HDX STC approval for the Falcon 7X by year-end.

In the large-cabin segment, Aloft AeroArchitects received the first Gogo Galileo FDX (full-duplex) STC covering Boeing Business Jet 737NG-based BBJ1 and BBJ2 models, plus BBJ Max variants. The FDX terminal delivers up to 195 Mbps download and 32 Mbps upload speeds and has been installed on BBJ 737. “It clearly demonstrates that Gogo is still the only company that can fulfill every aspect of an aircraft’s operational nose-to-tail connectivity needs from a single resource,” Moore said. A further eight FDX STC agreements are in process, covering a total of 24 aircraft types.

StandardAero became the first Gogo Galileo dealer to simultaneously complete a pair of STCs, with the FAA approving HDX and FDX paperwork for Bombardier Challenger 600-series twinjet.

Gogo also obtained EASA STC approval for its Plane Simple Ka-band tail-mount antenna on Dassault's 7X and 8X. The system, which connects to the Viasat Ka-band geostationary GX network, has been installed on a privately owned Falcon 7X. FAA, Transport Canada, and Brazilian ANAC approvals are expected to follow.

A total of 19 STCs are now complete for the Gogo Galileo HDX terminal covering 24 aircraft types, with 21 more in development. The 40 HDX STCs, either completed or in development through Gogo's dealer and OEM network, represent an increase from the 38 at the end of the second quarter. Installations are focused on popular airframes including the Bombardier Challenger 300/350 and Embraer Phenom 300. The company is working on approximately 30 additional STCs across its terminal portfolio.

More than 150 Gogo Galileo HDX antennas have now shipped, more than double the 77 reported at the end of the second quarter in 2025. Manufactured by Hughes, the self-aligning, flat-panel electronically steered antenna connects to the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO constellation. The growing STC portfolio enables more than 9,000 jets in the global fleet to access the technology.

Gogo is showcasing the FDX terminal’s capabilities through a series of demo flights for existing and potential customers at NBAA-BACE 2025.

Beyond satellite connectivity, Gogo is modernizing its air-to-ground (ATG) network infrastructure with two parallel initiatives. The company's new 5G ATG network features 170 towers capable of peak speeds up to 80 Mbps. “5G, true broadband services for ATG, 30 Mbps plus service…That network’s already been deployed from a ground perspective,” Moore told AIN.

Gogo is advancing its 5G air-to-ground journey, with anticipated testing transitioning from terrestrial validation to on-wing trials in the coming weeks. The company is pre-provisioning aircraft daily, with more than 400 aircraft already pre-provisioned with the MB13 antenna and Avance LX5 router required for 5G access. The 5G network is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2026.

Simultaneously, Gogo is upgrading its legacy Gogo Biz Network to LTE technology through FCC-funded modernization efforts. The LTE network, comprising 256 towers, will replace the company’s original ATG network launched in 2008. “Our LTE network is really modernizing our classic network, being funded by the FCC; the reason for that is modernization of the network, removing some foreign components from that,” Moore explained.

The LTE transition requires mandatory hardware upgrades for all aircraft equipped with classic ATG 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000, and 8000 systems, as well as early Avance platforms. After the May 2026 cutover, legacy equipment will no longer function. Gogo is offering a $35,000 rebate on its C1 LRU replacement unit for customers who commit before Dec. 31, 2025. The C1 provides basic connectivity continuity and serves as a bridge for operators planning future upgrades to LTE-capable Avance L3 or L5 systems or 5G connectivity.

Moore emphasized operator demand for increased bandwidth and network redundancy. Regarding connectivity needs, “Most operators [want] bandwidth, [that has] changed a lot over the last five years. We see more broadband capability, [and they] really have that office in the sky airplane now,” he told AIN. The company’s multi-orbit strategy allows aircraft to switch between LEO, geostationary, and ATG networks for continuous connectivity.

Gogo’s LEO service, branded Galileo, is expanding with both HDX and FDX terminals offering 60 Mbps and 200 Mbps capabilities, respectively. “FDX [offers] the full capability of the Eutelsat network,” Moore noted. The company’s geostationary services using Ku- and Ka-band continue showing year-over-year growth.

Moore highlighted the low-latency advantages of LEO connectivity for video conferencing applications. “The difference: with LEO’s low latency, video would seem like we’re on the ground,” he said, noting that operators increasingly prioritize productivity during flight time rather than viewing business aviation purely as point-to-point transportation.

To support installations, Gogo maintains 13 global offices and can deploy personnel to any aircraft worldwide within 24 hours. Team members are embedded at OEM facilities, including Gulfstream in Savannah, Georgia; Dassault in Little Rock, Arkansas; Embraer in Melbourne, Florida; and Bombardier in Montreal. Gogo’s dealer network now includes 148 locations.