Inflight Wi-Fi has evolved from an optional amenity into an essential part of the passenger experience. Travellers increasingly expect to remain connected in the air with the same ease and reliability they experience on the ground, whether streaming video, browsing on any device, or staying productive during regional routes or international flights.

For regional airlines, meeting these expectations can present several challenges:

• Delivering consistent performance throughout the journey
• Supporting work, streaming and social-media use simultaneously
• Providing a simple connection and authentication process
• Maintaining performance around busy aviation hubs

The Need: Fast, High-Speed Wi-Fi for a Frictionless Digital Experience

Air Canada needed an inflight connectivity solution capable of supporting modern passenger behaviour across its regional fleet—one that would work seamlessly from check-in through arrival.

The service needed to deliver:

• Fast access to the onboard Wi-Fi portal 
• Reliable connectivity throughout the flight
• Sufficient performance for browsing, work and streaming-quality Wi-Fi
• A simple experience for loyalty members and paying passengers
• Consistent service across different network conditions

The airline also required a solution that could combine complementary satellite capabilities to deliver an optimised experience across the route.

The Solution: Multi-Orbit Technology from a Leading Inflight Connectivity Provider

All 55 of Air Canada's Jazz Aviation-operated E175 and CRJ900 aircrafts—serving routes across North America under the Air Canada Express brand—are equipped with SES's electronically steerable antenna-based connectivity system.

The multi-orbit architecture combines:

• Eutelsat's OneWeb Ku-band LEO connectivity for low-latency, high-speed performance
• SES GEO satellite services providing complementary capacity during high-demand periods
• Quvia's Quality of Experience platform delivering real-time fleet performance visibility

This approach draws on the respective strengths of LEO and GEO networks to support consistent connectivity throughout each journey. Eutelsat's commercial aviation solutions are delivered through specialist partners, enabling airlines—including Air Canada and Air Canada Express — to select configurations aligned with their operational requirements.

The Internet was fast and snappy, and I remained connected for the duration of the flight.

Mary Kirby

Founder and Editor, Runway Girl Network

 

The Impact: How Free Wi-Fi Plans Transform the Passenger Experience

During the Washington Dulles–Montréal return journey, the reviewer found the "AC Wi-Fi" network immediately available after boarding. Aeroplan members enjoy Bell-sponsored free Wi-Fi via the airline mobile app or onboard portal, while other passengers can purchase access. Connection took only seconds.

The independent test highlighted several passenger benefits:

• A fast and straightforward connection process
• Stable connectivity throughout the flight
• Performance suitable for everyday online activities
• Automatic recognition of complimentary access in business class
• A journey that felt shorter and more productive

The two-hour flight time between Montréal and Washington Dulles is hardly a labor, but when you have a good Wi-Fi connection, it feels like time moves even faster.

Mary kirby

Founder and Editor, Runway Girl Network

With more than 700 aircraft already flying with Eutelsat OneWeb LEO connectivity, airlines can use high-performance inflight connectivity to strengthen passenger satisfaction and support increasingly connected operations. (Eutelsat aviation insight)

Disclaimer: This case study is based on publicly available information, including the independent review, and reflects the reviewer's experience on the flights tested. Performance may vary depending on route, aircraft, network conditions and device used.

During a CabinSpace Live panel - featuring leaders from across the aviation ecosystem - the discussion highlighted a fundamental shift in both technology and expectations.  Eva Bisgaard participated in the debate, alongside industry peers from airlines, OEMs and connectivity providers.

The LEO Inflection Point

While in-flight connectivity has existed for decades, the introduction of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks represents a step change.

As highlighted during the discussion, LEO enables:

• Low latency performance, unlocking real-time applications  
• High capacity, supporting bandwidth-heavy use cases  
• Global coverage, including challenging routes  

This combination is redefining what is possible — not just for passengers, but for the entire aircraft ecosystem.

Eva, President of Connectivity at Eutelsat, emphasized that connectivity today must support multiple layers simultaneously:

From Passenger Wi-Fi to Connected Aircraft

The conversation has moved beyond providing onboard internet access.

Aircraft are increasingly becoming fully connected platforms, enabling:

• Real-time operational decision-making  
• Enhanced crew communication  
• Future applications such as predictive maintenance  

This evolution requires not only performance — but resilience.

Reliability: the New Battleground OF AIRCRAFT CONNECTIVITY

A key theme across the panel was that speed is no longer the differentiator.

Instead, the industry is now focused on:

• Consistency of service  
• Network resilience  
• End-to-end system performance  

As one panelist noted, buying connectivity purely based on bandwidth can lead to poor outcomes — the real measure is how the service performs in practice.  

This is reinforced by a broader industry shift: airlines are beginning to approach connectivity in the same way they would ground infrastructure — prioritizing redundancy, backup capacity, and service continuity.  

As Eva Bisgaard pointed out, "Everyone is talking about in-flight connectivity, but having planes online with secure, stable data flows is key to making a truly connected world."

Rethinking How Success is Measured

Another important takeaway is that traditional metrics are no longer sufficient.

Connectivity success is no longer defined by whether an aircraft is connected, but by:

• How many passengers can use the service  
• The quality of their experience  
• Overall satisfaction levels  

As highlighted on the panel:

“A ‘heartbeat’ to the aircraft doesn’t mean the experience was good.”  

The Path to Seamless AIRCRAFT Connectivity

Despite rapid progress, challenges remain — particularly around:

• Fleet-wide deployment  
• Hardware integration  
• Managing passenger expectations during transition  

However, the direction is clear. Seamless, always-on connectivity — comparable to what passengers experience on the ground — is no longer aspirational. 

It is becoming the industry standard.

Delivering the Next Era of Inflight Connectivity with GEO and OneWeb LEO

As the aviation industry gathers for Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), Eutelsat will be in Hamburg showcasing how its high-performance OneWeb LEO network, complemented by its GEO capabilities, is redefining inflight connectivity performance, offering airlines and business jets both flexibility and global reach.

Visit Eutelsat at Booth 2C10 to discover how airlines worldwide are leveraging our network to deliver consistent, high-quality broadband experiences across every route and aircraft type.

Eutelsat-At-A-Glance:

• More than 700 aircraft flying with OneWeb LEO connectivity today, with installations rapidly accelerating
• Over 15 airline commitments, including American Airlines, Air Canada, Avianca, Skymark and Royal Brunei
• Global connectivity across all continents, including polar and high-latitude routes
• Flexible solutions supporting fleets from low-cost carriers and regional operators to global airlines, business aviation, and government missions
  Enterprise-grade mobility network delivering performance, resilience, and cybersecurity
• Ongoing innovation, including 440 additional LEO satellites ordered to enhance performance and capabilities
  • Ensuring customers continued consistency and performance for the long-term
  • With dedicated capacity offerings to ensure airlines have access to the bandwidth they need to match passenger needs
  • First satellites delivered from 2026
• Flexible Terminal choices: LEO-only antennas and LEO+GEO antennas, from trusted manufacturers. From small form-factor solutions enabling broadband speeds on small aircraft for the first time, to larger, more capable multi-network terminals.

Why Customers Choose Eutelsat

We are partnered throughout the aero ecosystem including the industry’s expert inflight integrators and providers to deliver multi-orbit solutions and packages that airlines can customise to the wants of their airline model and the needs of their customer. 

Our connectivity solutions are backed by Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Committed Information Rates (CIRs) underscoring our commitment to quality and performance. 

This combination of experience, reliability, and flexibility ensures airlines can deploy connectivity solutions that meet their operational needs today while remaining adaptable for the future.

What You’ll See at the Eutelsat Booth

At AIX, visitors to Booth 2C10 will have the opportunity to explore:

• Product showcases from our industry-expert partners, such as Gilat, SES, Panasonic, and Hughes, featuring scaled models of OneWeb LEO-compatible ESA terminals
• Meet with Eutelsat’s aviation experts to discuss our flexible commercial and technical offerings

On Stage at AIX

Join Eva Bisgaard, President of Eutelsat’s Connectivity Business Unit, at the Cabin Space Live panel: 
"Connectivity Part 2: Delivering Reliable Inflight Connectivity in a Shifting Market"
📅 Tuesday, 14 April | ⏰ 14:00-14:45

This session will explore how inflight connectivity providers are helping operators maintain uninterrupted connectivity through diverse technologies including GEO, LEO, MEO, and Air-to-Ground solutions.
Meet us at AIX
Join us at Booth 2C10 to meet our aviation experts and discover how Eutelsat is shaping the future of connected flight.

Book a meeting

A European Champion Competing in a World of Giants

Eutelsat stands at the centre of Europe’s space ecosystem, with a 47year legacy and a fleet of 33 geostationary satellites. The company’s strategic transformation accelerated with the acquisition of OneWeb — today one of only two operational low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations in the world.
Jean François highlighted that it remains the only LEO constellation not controlled by the US or China, giving Europe a uniquely sovereign asset. To reinforce this position, Eutelsat has secured €1.5 billion in new capital to expand the fleet by 440 satellites, bringing the constellation to roughly 650 units by 2030. “We are the sovereign European constellation. We have European shareholders. We are listed on the Paris and London stock exchanges.” He also pointed to the company’s central role in IRIS², the European Commission’s next generation secure connectivity programme. LEO activities now account for 20% of turnover and continue to grow at around 60% year over year.

Why LEO Is Essential for Europe’s Sovereignty

LEO constellations are a critical pillar for Europe’s digital autonomy. They deliver seamless global broadband and require massive, long-term investment, making them difficult to replicate.  Jean François noted that OneWeb had already absorbed seven years of development and $7 billion before Eutelsat acquired it — a reminder of its scale and strategic relevance. “[LEO constellations] are extremely large and capital-intensive infrastructures… This is why we believe LEO is a strategic asset — a strategic service — for Europe.”
He also raised the emerging opportunity of Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity, an area poised to transform the communications landscape. While Europe has strong projects underway, he stressed that achieving D2D at scale will require significant investment and a clear, unified industrial ambition.
 

Serving Governments and Critical IndustrieS

Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO constellation focuses on high reliability B2B markets — governments, aviation, maritime, enterprise and defence. A landmark €1 billion, 10year agreement with the French Ministry of Defence underscores the constellation’s strategic importance. This partnership strengthens operational access and supports further hardening of the system for defence and national-security use cases.
Recent geopolitical events continue to highlight the risks of dependency on foreign controlled connectivity. Jean François emphasised that sovereignty becomes very real when an external operator can unilaterally restrict service over a conflict zone. Eutelsat’s European governance and operational control directly address this vulnerability.

Why Europe Needs to Act Together

Europe faces global competition from large American and Chinese constellations. Jean François warned that fragmented national initiatives would undermine Europe’s ability to match this scale. A coherent and unified approach — particularly around IRIS² — is essential to maintain a sovereign position in orbit. “The geopolitical situation has given us real momentum. People now realise that sovereignty is not theoretical. When one of our competitors [,,,] decides to cut services over a country, that marks the spirit. The dependency becomes immediately visible.”
 

Europe’s Cultural Inflection Point

Europe’s technological expertise remains strong, but development speed is a critical challenge. The “new space” economy depends on agility, fast iteration and shorter development cycles. Jean François noted that Europe must adopt these practices if it is to maintain leadership and regain control over key technologies still sourced externally. “This is why Eutelsat is advocating for unity — not only around Eutelsat, but for the European project to build the next-generation constellation, IRIS². For IRIS² to succeed, we need all European countries and public funding united behind one sovereign approach.”
 

Looking Ahead

The message from MWC Barcelona is clear: Europe has the talent, industrial capability and technological foundation to lead in space — but only if it acts with unity and urgency. A sovereign LEO constellation is not just a technological milestone; it is a cornerstone of Europe’s resilience, economic strength and strategic independence. "In new space, companies are already working in agile, fast cycles. This is what Europe needs — in mindset and practice: more agility, faster development, and a culture of iteration. That’s how we will master more of the key technologies we still have to import today."