This article is based on an official press release from SES.

SES and Abra Group Deploy Multi-Orbit Inflight Connectivity Across Latin American Fleet

Satellite operator SES and Abra Group, the holding company for Avianca, GOL, and Wamos Air, have officially launched a new multi-orbit inflight connectivity (IFC) service. According to a joint announcement from the companies, the service is now operational on the first of more than 100 aircraft slated for the upgrade, beginning with Avianca’s Airbus A320 fleet.

The partnership marks a significant technological shift for the Latin American aviation market. By utilizing a hybrid network architecture that combines Geostationary (GEO) satellites with a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, the airlines aim to provide passengers with high-speed, low-latency internet access comparable to ground-based services. The rollout is currently live on 10 Avianca aircraft, with plans to expand across the broader Abra Group fleet in the coming years.

Operational Details and Fleet Expansion

The agreement covers a substantial portion of Abra Group’s combined fleet. SES confirmed that the multi-orbit solution will be installed on over 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft operated by Avianca, GOL, and Wamos Air. This standardization allows the airline group to offer a consistent passenger experience across its different carriers and regions, from domestic flights in Brazil and Colombia to long-haul routes into Europe.

Francisco Raddatz, Chief Procurement Officer of Abra Group, emphasized the group’s focus on modernizing the passenger experience in a statement regarding the launch:

“At Abra Group, we continue to bring next-generation solutions onboard to make connectivity more accessible and offer more options to our passengers.”

Technical Architecture: The Hybrid Network

The core of this deployment is the “multi-orbit” capability, which addresses the traditional limitations of satellite internet. Legacy systems often rely solely on GEO satellites, which orbit at approximately 36,000 kilometers, resulting in higher latency (lag). The new solution deployed by SES integrates two distinct layers:

• SES GEO Fleet: Provides wide coverage and high capacity, suitable for bulk data transfer such as video streaming.
• Partner LEO Constellation: Operates much closer to Earth, drastically reducing latency for delay-sensitive applications like video conferencing, gaming, and real-time messaging.

Hardware Specifications

To facilitate this switching between orbits, the aircraft are equipped with SES’s Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antenna. According to the press release, this hardware is less than 7 cm (2.8 inches) tall. The low-profile design minimizes aerodynamic drag, which helps reduce fuel consumption compared to bulkier mechanical antennas. Furthermore, the solid-state design lacks moving parts, improving reliability and allowing the system to switch between GEO and LEO satellites in milliseconds.

Enrique Villasenor, SES VP of Global Airline Partnerships, highlighted the performance benefits in the company’s announcement:

“Abra Group’s commitment to passenger experience will now include consistent reliable, multi-orbit satellite connectivity on its Airbus and Boeing fleet that provides the same fast and dependable internet access passengers enjoy at home no matter where or when they fly.”

AirPro News Analysis: The Shift to Open Orbits

This deployment validates a broader trend in the aviation industry toward “Open Architecture” networks. Historically, airlines were often locked into closed ecosystems with single-orbit limitations. SES’s strategy, known as “Open Orbits,” leverages its own GEO assets while integrating third-party LEO networks to fill performance gaps.

While the official press release refers generally to a “partner’s constellation,” industry context suggests the LEO component is likely provided by Eutelsat OneWeb. SES has previously established distribution agreements with OneWeb for aviation connectivity, and the technical characteristics of the hybrid network align with OneWeb’s LEO capabilities. For Abra Group, adopting this hybrid model is a strategic differentiator in the competitive Latin American market, where reliable inflight Wi-Fi is rapidly transitioning from a luxury perk to a standard passenger expectation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines are part of the Abra Group?
Abra Group comprises Avianca (Colombia), GOL (Brazil), and Wamos Air (Spain).

What is the benefit of multi-orbit connectivity?
By combining GEO and LEO satellites, the system offers both high capacity (for streaming) and low latency (for browsing and work), minimizing the lag often associated with older inflight Wi-Fi systems.

Is the service available now?
Yes, the service is currently live on 10 Airbus A320 aircraft operated by Avianca and will be rolled out to over 100 aircraft across the group.

Sources: SES Press Release, Business Wire