LEO satellites are raising expectations for business aviation internet

Reliable internet access has become an increasingly important expectation for business aviation passengers and operators alike. Business aviation passengers expect the same connectivity experience they receive while on the ground and operators use it more than ever for flight operations. The shift toward LEO connectivity Duncan Aviation reported on Aug. 11th that customer demand has grown for in-flight connectivity from satellite systems, like Gogo. The company claims to have installed hundreds of Gogo connectivity systems at its facilities and satellite shops. According to Duncan, customers have had positive experiences with Gogo's Galileo HDX/FDX satellite-connectivity platform, which operates on the Eutelsat OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network. Business aviation connectivity has evolved from data services to terrestrial broadband systems to satellite-based global networks. LEO systems have become more popular due to their ability to provide more consistent coverage and speed over different operating environments. The satellites fly lower in comparison to Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite systems that provide connectivity to older jets, which dramatically shortens signal latency. Connectivity becomes a mission requirement Connectivity is increasingly moving from convenience to operational necessity. Previously, aircraft operators accepted connection limitations because there were not many alternatives available. Now, expectations are beginning to mirror those of the broader technology industry. Corporate flight departments, charter operators, and owner-flown aircraft rely on internet access for everything from communication to productivity and passenger expectations. Passengers rarely ask about what network an aircraft uses, but they immediately notice it does not work. "Good enough" connectivity is no longer good enough as more operators experience higher-performance satellite systems. Why it matters Operators now have more choices than ever before when it comes to satellite systems and passengers increasingly expect uninterrupted connectivity regardless of where the aircraft is flying. As LEO systems become more common, operators may face increasing pressure to upgrade older connectivity platforms to meet passenger and operational expectations.