SES and Viva Launch Multi-Orbit Satellite Connectivity on 100 Aircraft

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

On June 1, 2026, Luxembourg-based satellite telecommunications provider SES announced a major partnership with Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Viva (formerly Viva Aerobus). According to the official press release, the collaboration will bring high-speed, multi-orbit satellite inflight connectivity (IFC) to the airline’s passengers. This development marks Viva as the first Airlines in Mexico and the broader Latin American region to implement SES’s advanced Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antenna technology.

We note that this upgrade is designed to provide seamless, gate-to-gate internet access. The service will support high-bandwidth activities such as streaming, cloud-based work, and general web browsing, fundamentally upgrading the digital passenger experience on the ultra-low-cost carrier.

Fleet Rollout and Active Installations

According to the SES press release, the connectivity solution is slated for installation on 100 Airbus narrowbody aircraft within Viva’s fleet. This rollout specifically targets 60 Airbus A320s and 40 Airbus A321s.

Industry reporting from Runway Girl Network confirms that the Wi-Fi service is already active and flying on 11 of Viva’s aircraft, including an A320 registered as XA-VAQ. The remaining installations will continue gradually. To provide context on the scale of this upgrade, Aviacionline reports that Viva currently operates a total fleet of 109 aircraft, meaning the vast majority of its young fleet will soon feature this advanced connectivity.

Technological Advancements: Multi-Orbit and ESA

The Multi-Orbit Advantage

Unlike traditional inflight Wi-Fi systems that rely on a single satellite orbit, the new SES solution utilizes a multi-orbit network. As detailed by Runway Girl Network, the hardware is powered by SES’s own Geostationary (GEO) satellite network working in tandem with Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service, for which SES acts as a distribution partner. This dual-orbit approach ensures consistent, low-latency, and reliable coverage regardless of the aircraft’s flight path or location.

Electronically Steered Array (ESA) Antennas

The physical hardware being installed on the Viva fleet represents a significant leap from traditional mechanically steered satellite dishes. The SES press release highlights that the new ESA antennas are highly aerodynamic, measuring less than seven centimeters in height. Because they feature no moving parts and maintain an extremely low profile, they significantly reduce aerodynamic drag. This characteristic is crucial for maintaining fuel efficiency, a vital operational metric for an ultra-low-cost carrier like Viva.

Strategic Shifts in the Low-Cost Market

The decision to invest in premium connectivity reflects a changing landscape for budget airlines. In the official press release, Viva’s leadership emphasized the necessity of digital integration for modern travelers.

“Connectivity today is not a luxury, it’s part of how people live, work, and travel. Our goal is to make flying fit seamlessly into our passengers’ digital lives, instead of forcing them to disconnect. With this service, being in the air no longer means being offline.”
Pablo Gómez Gallardo, Chief Digital Officer at Viva

SES also highlighted the broader regional implications of the Partnerships, noting the growing demand for reliable inflight internet across the Americas.

“Viva’s passengers will soon benefit from reliable, multi-orbit satellite connectivity that will provide the same fast and dependable internet access they enjoy at home no matter where or when they fly. SES’s partnerships with growing airlines like Viva highlight how carriers throughout the Americas are leading the way when it comes to the most advanced connectivity.”
Mike DeMarco, President of Mobility at SES

AirPro News analysis

We observe that this partnership underscores SES’s aggressive expansion into the commercial aviation sector across the Americas. SES has recently secured inflight connectivity contracts with major regional players, including the Abra Group (the holding company for Avianca, GOL, and Wamos Air), Air Canada, American Airlines, and LATAM. By offering highly consultative partnership models, SES is successfully targeting small, mid-sized, and low-cost carriers alongside legacy airlines.

Furthermore, Viva’s Investments signals a definitive shift in the ultra-low-cost carrier (LCC) business model. Historically, LCCs stripped away amenities like Wi-Fi to maintain rock-bottom ticket prices. Today, reliable connectivity is increasingly viewed as a baseline passenger expectation rather than a luxury perk. This move also ensures Viva remains highly competitive in the rapidly modernizing Mexican aviation market. For example, as reported by El Universal, legacy carrier Aeromexico recently formed an alliance with streaming platform ViX to offer free Wi-Fi on select flights for live sports. Viva’s multi-orbit upgrade positions it to compete directly on digital amenities without compromising its low-cost structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is multi-orbit satellite connectivity?
Multi-orbit connectivity uses satellites in different orbits, such as Geostationary (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO), to provide a more reliable, low-latency internet connection for passengers, ensuring coverage without dead zones.

How many Viva aircraft will feature the new Wi-Fi?
According to SES, the system will be installed on 100 Airbus narrowbody aircraft (60 A320s and 40 A321s). The service is already active on 11 of these aircraft.

Why are ESA antennas important for low-cost carriers?
Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antennas are extremely flat (under 7 cm) and have no moving parts. This reduces aerodynamic drag on the aircraft, which saves fuel and helps low-cost carriers keep operational costs down.

Sources:
SES Official Press Release