SES Accelerates Multi-Orbit Aircraft Connectivity Deployment Targeting 600 Aircraft by Year-End

The satellite communications industry stands at a crossroads, with SES’s aggressive expansion of its electronically steerable antenna (ESA) inflight connectivity solution marking a significant technological and strategic shift. Following its acquisition of Intelsat, SES is leveraging its expanded multi-orbit satellite fleet to deliver high-performance connectivity to commercial aviation. With 250 Aircraft already equipped and a goal of reaching 600 by the end of 2025, SES’s initiative underscores the growing importance of robust inflight internet services in meeting evolving passenger expectations and Airlines operational needs.

This rapid deployment comes amid a surge in global demand for inflight connectivity, driven by passengers’ expectations for seamless digital experiences and airlines’ pursuit of competitive differentiation. SES’s multi-orbit approach, combining geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capabilities, aims to set new standards for coverage, reliability, and performance, positioning the company at the forefront of a rapidly evolving market.

As the global inflight connectivity (IFC) market projects strong growth, SES’s strategy highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing satellite operators and airlines alike. The company’s progress not only reflects technological innovation but also signals a broader industry shift toward more integrated, flexible, and high-capacity connectivity solutions in aviation.

Strategic Corporate Transformation Through Acquisition

The foundation of SES’s current expansion is its strategic Acquisitions of Intelsat, completed on July 17, 2025, for $2.6 billion. This merger created a combined entity with a fleet of around 120 satellites operating across multiple orbital positions, fundamentally altering the satellite communications landscape. The integration provides SES with Intelsat’s ESA technology and established airline customer base, accelerating its entry into the next generation of inflight connectivity.

SES’s rationale for the acquisition extends beyond asset consolidation. The combined company expects approximately 60% of revenues from high-growth segments, with aviation connectivity as a key driver. The merger brings together a diverse spectrum portfolio, including C-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, and specialized military frequencies, enabling flexible and robust service delivery. Access to Intelsat’s relationships with major airlines and its proven ESA technology further strengthens SES’s competitive position.

Financially, SES anticipates annual run-rate synergies of around €370 million, with most achievable within three years. The company projects a normalized adjusted free cash flow exceeding €1 billion by 2027-2028, underpinned by a combined contract backlog exceeding €8 billion. These financial metrics provide a solid foundation for continued investment in connectivity infrastructure and technology, supporting SES’s long-term strategic objectives.

This acquisition comes at a time of heightened competition, particularly from SpaceX’s Starlink, which is aggressively targeting the aviation market. By merging Intelsat’s established customer relationships with SES’s multi-orbit capabilities, the combined entity aims to compete more effectively against both traditional GEO operators and emerging LEO constellations, meeting airlines’ increasing demands for bandwidth, low latency, and reliability.

Multi-Orbit Technology Architecture and Performance Capabilities

Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Technology

At the heart of SES’s inflight connectivity solution is its ESA technology, a low-profile, lightweight antenna system with no moving parts. Standing less than three inches tall, the ESA reduces aerodynamic drag and maintenance requirements, directly addressing airline concerns about fuel efficiency and reliability. SES estimates that airlines can save approximately $40,000 per aircraft annually in fuel costs alone by adopting this system.

The ESA’s design not only minimizes installation complexity but also supports both retrofit and linefit applications. Supplemental type certificates are already available for several aircraft types, including the Embraer ERJ170/175 and Bombardier CRJ 700/900 series, with Boeing set to offer ESA linefit options on the 737, 777, and 787 models from 2026 onwards. This flexibility streamlines integration for airlines with diverse fleet compositions.

Performance testing of the ESA-based system has demonstrated download speeds of up to 190 Mbps and latency under 100 milliseconds when connected to the OneWeb LEO constellation. The system’s ability to intelligently switch between GEO and LEO networks ensures consistent, high-quality connectivity regardless of flight path or geography, addressing traditional limitations of single-orbit solutions.

“The ESA system can save airlines approximately $40,000 per aircraft annually, equivalent to nearly 200 barrels of oil, by reducing fuel burn and eliminating mechanical maintenance.”

Multi-Orbit Network: GEO and LEO Integration

SES’s multi-orbit architecture leverages the strengths of both GEO and LEO satellites. GEO satellites provide global coverage and high throughput, ensuring reliability on established flight routes. LEO satellites, such as those operated by Eutelsat OneWeb, offer reduced latency and improved polar coverage, overcoming traditional GEO limitations.

This hybrid approach enables SES to deliver a connectivity experience that rivals terrestrial broadband, with intelligent network management ensuring optimal performance based on real-time conditions. The architecture also supports seamless transitions between satellite systems, maintaining service continuity as aircraft traverse different regions and regulatory environments.

Environmental benefits further enhance the value proposition. The ESA’s lightweight, low-drag design contributes to lower carbon emissions, aligning with airlines’ sustainability goals while reducing operational costs. This combination of technological, economic, and environmental advantages positions SES’s solution as a compelling choice for airlines seeking to modernize their inflight connectivity offerings.

Current Deployment Status and Customer Adoption

Progress Toward 600 Aircraft Target

As of August 2025, SES has equipped approximately 250 aircraft with its ESA-based connectivity system, with installations accelerating across a growing roster of airline customers. This marks significant progress from the 100+ installations reported in March 2025 and reflects the scalability of SES’s deployment capabilities.

The company’s target of 600 aircraft by year-end represents an ambitious scaling challenge, requiring coordinated efforts across manufacturing, installation, and service activation. Achieving this milestone would position SES as one of the largest providers of multi-orbit inflight connectivity, establishing a strong foundation for future growth and industry leadership.

Key customers include Air Canada, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, and Skymark Airlines. American Airlines and Air Canada have already launched commercial service with the ESA system, providing real-world validation of its performance and reliability.

Notable Airline Partnerships

Japan Airlines has selected the ESA solution for over 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with the first linefit deliveries scheduled for 2026. This partnership highlights the growing trend of factory-installed connectivity systems, simplifying deployment and ensuring immediate service availability for new aircraft.

Skymark Airlines is also adopting the ESA system for 10 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, making it one of the first Asia-Pacific carriers to offer multi-orbit connectivity. These partnerships demonstrate the global appeal of SES’s solution and its ability to address diverse market needs.

The deployment pipeline extends well beyond current installations, with SES’s aggressive expansion plan signaling strong confidence in both the technology and market demand. The company’s ability to execute at scale will be closely watched as a benchmark for future industry adoption.

Installation and Integration Capabilities

SES has developed streamlined installation processes to minimize aircraft downtime and operational disruption. Retrofit installations can be completed in as little as 48 hours, while factory linefit options further reduce complexity for airlines acquiring new aircraft.

Gilat Satellite Networks, through its Stellar Blu division, supplies the Sidewinder-branded ESA hardware, supporting both retrofit and OEM linefit programs. Recent orders for hundreds of terminals underscore the scalability of the supply chain and the growing demand for advanced connectivity solutions.

Ongoing operational support is provided through the integration of Intelsat’s service delivery organization, ensuring consistent performance and rapid response to customer needs. This comprehensive approach to installation and support is critical as SES scales its deployment to meet the 600 aircraft target.

Market Dynamics, Competition, and Industry Trends

Market Growth and Segment Trends

The global inflight connectivity market is on a robust growth trajectory, valued at $1.9 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $4.2 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The broader connected aircraft market, encompassing operational communications and data transmission, is expected to grow from $7.15 billion in 2025 to $50.59 billion by 2034, reflecting a remarkable 24.38% CAGR.

Wide-body aircraft, which operate on long-haul international routes, represent the largest and fastest-growing segment for connectivity adoption. Ku-band currently dominates the market, but Ka-band is experiencing the fastest growth due to its superior bandwidth capabilities. SES’s multi-band approach aligns well with these trends, leveraging both Ku and Ka-band resources across its satellite fleet.

The satellite internet market as a whole is also expanding rapidly, valued at $11.58 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $33.44 billion by 2030. High-mobility sectors like aviation are benefiting from advances in antenna technology and satellite capabilities, driving further market expansion.

Competitive Landscape: Starlink and Beyond

The competitive environment for inflight connectivity has intensified with the entry of SpaceX’s Starlink, which has secured partnerships with major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, United, and Air France. Starlink’s system offers low latency and high speeds, with Alaska Airlines planning a complete fleet-wide transition to Starlink connectivity by 2027.

Traditional GEO operators like Viasat and multi-orbit solutions from Hughes Network Systems (e.g., the Fusion system) are also vying for market share. Delta Air Lines’ selection of the Hughes Fusion system for new Airbus deliveries illustrates airlines’ willingness to evaluate multiple multi-orbit solutions based on performance and cost.

SES’s strategic advantages include its extensive satellite fleet, established customer relationships, and the Open Orbits network, which leverages regional partnerships for regulatory compliance and coverage. These factors provide near-term competitive protection as SES scales its multi-orbit offering.

SES Open Orbits: Regional Partnerships and Network Architecture

The SES Open Orbits initiative, launched in May 2024, creates an interoperable Ka-band platform combining GEO and MEO satellites from multiple operators. Partners include Neo Space Group (Saudi Arabia), AeroSat Link (China), and Hughes Communications India, enabling SES to address regulatory and coverage challenges across diverse regions.

This open architecture supports multiple orbits and waveforms, allowing traffic to be routed intelligently based on performance and regulatory requirements. The network is designed to deliver speeds up to 300 Mbps, with early adoption by carriers such as Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Uzbekistan Airways.

Integration with aircraft manufacturers through programs like Airbus’s HBCplus and Boeing’s AeroConnect terminals further streamlines adoption, providing airlines with flexible options for both retrofit and linefit installations.

Conclusion

SES’s drive to equip 600 aircraft with ESA-based multi-orbit connectivity by year-end marks a pivotal development in aviation satellite communications. The company’s strategic acquisition of Intelsat, combined with technological innovation and expanding customer adoption, positions SES as a leader in the rapidly growing inflight connectivity market. The successful deployment of 250 aircraft to date demonstrates both market acceptance and operational capability, while the ambitious expansion plan reflects confidence in the technology’s commercial viability.

Looking forward, SES’s ability to achieve its deployment target will serve as a key indicator of its competitive position and influence in the satellite communications sector. The validation of the multi-orbit approach could accelerate broader industry adoption, shaping the future of inflight connectivity and establishing SES as a technology leader in next-generation satellite services.

FAQ

What is SES’s ESA-based inflight connectivity solution?
SES’s solution uses an electronically steerable antenna (ESA) that integrates both geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, providing high-speed, low-latency internet to aircraft with improved reliability and global coverage.

How many aircraft are currently equipped with SES’s ESA system?
As of August 2025, around 250 aircraft have been equipped, with a target of 600 installations by year-end.

Which airlines are using SES’s ESA-based connectivity?
Airlines such as Air Canada, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, and Skymark Airlines have adopted the system, with additional carriers in the deployment pipeline.

How does SES’s solution compare to competitors like Starlink?
SES offers a multi-orbit architecture with both GEO and LEO coverage, while Starlink focuses on LEO. Both aim for high-speed, low-latency connections, but SES leverages established airline partnerships and regulatory-compliant regional networks.

What are the environmental benefits of the ESA system?
The ESA’s lightweight, low-profile design reduces aerodynamic drag, resulting in lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions, with estimated savings of $40,000 per aircraft annually.

Sources:
Runway Girl Network,
SES,
Satellite Today,
Gilat Satellite Networks