Viasat Launches New IFC Solution Amara and Advanced Aero Antenna, Redefining Inflight Connectivity
Viasat stands at the forefront of global satellite communications, driving innovation across commercial aviation, government, defense, and consumer broadband services. Founded in 1986, the company has consistently redefined satellite technology benchmarks, from launching the ViaSat-1 satellite in 2011-then the world's highest-capacity communications satellite-to pioneering hybrid space-terrestrial networks that now serve millions globally.
With its vertically integrated model, Viasat designs, builds, and operates its own satellites and connectivity systems-giving it unmatched control over performance, capacity, and service quality. Over the past three decades, Viasat has been instrumental in transforming airline connectivity from basic text and email functions into high-speed, streaming-capable broadband experiences. Major carriers across North America, Europe, and Asia use Viasat's IFC solutions to offer seamless digital experiences at 35,000 feet.
In its latest move, Viasat has unveiled Amara, a next-generation In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) solution, alongside a newly designed aero antenna. Together, these technologies signal a new chapter in bandwidth capacity, user optimization, and installation efficiency-designed specifically to meet growing passenger expectations and airline operational demands.
Airline passengers now treat in-flight connectivity as a baseline service, not a luxury. Data from a 2023 report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that 80% of travelers consider high-speed Wi-Fi essential to their travel experience. This expectation has shifted pressure onto carriers to adopt more robust inflight connectivity (IFC) systems that mirror on-ground broadband performance.
Growth in streaming services, cloud-based work platforms, and real-time communications has further intensified the need for low-latency connections in the sky. In fact, NSR's 2024 Aeronautical Satcom Market report projects IFC service revenue to exceed $15.9 billion by 2033, doubling from $7.5 billion in 2023. The trend isn't limited to international wide-body fleets; low-cost carriers and regional aircraft are also equipping IFC to remain competitive.
Modern flyers carry multiple connected devices and expect seamless streaming, uninterrupted calls, and the ability to join video conferences mid-flight. A 2023 SITA Passenger IT Insights survey found that 71% of travelers said onboard connectivity influences their choice of airline. Millennials and Gen Z consumers-now dominant in air travel demographics-rank connectivity above inflight entertainment, legroom, or even food options.
High-value passengers, such as business travelers and premium class customers, increasingly expect VPN access, encrypted communications, and smooth data synchronization capabilities to maintain a productive workday in the air. The notion of the aircraft as a "connected office" has gained traction across long-haul and transcontinental routes.
Airlines have begun reshaping operations to accommodate these evolving expectations. Many now offer tiered connectivity models to cater to a wide range of bandwidth needs-from messaging-only plans to full-streaming capabilities. Others, such as Delta Air Lines and JetBlue, have adopted free inflight Wi-Fi funded by advertising partners or bundled into loyalty programs.
To keep pace, airlines are collaborating closely with satellite operators, IFC system integrators, and antenna manufacturers to create tailored connectivity ecosystems. The drive toward next-generation IFC isn't just a technology upgrade-it's a direct response to passenger behavior patterns grounded in digital dependency.
Commercial airlines rely on broadband connectivity to power in-flight entertainment, enable real-time operations, and support crew communications. Beyond the cabin, reliable broadband also facilitates critical data exchanges such as maintenance diagnostics, flight optimization, and air traffic updates. As digital transformation reshapes the aviation sector, broadband moves from convenience to operational necessity.
Three core technologies underpin today's advances in in-flight connectivity. First, satellite constellations operating in Ka-band and Ku-band deliver higher bandwidth and wider coverage compared to previous generations. Second, adaptive beamforming optimizes signal strength across flight paths and weather conditions. Third, software-defined networking allows for more efficient bandwidth allocation and dynamic traffic management.
Electronically steered antennas (ESAs), often paired with multi-orbit satellite networks, have introduced new levels of reliability and device compatibility in high-mobility environments like aviation. Coupled with advanced multiplexing techniques such as MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output), these technologies have significantly reduced latency and increased throughput at cruising altitudes.
Viasat holds a defining position in the aviation broadband market, serving both commercial and business aviation segments. The company integrates vertically-from designing satellites to operating orbiting networks to building airborne terminals. Its acquisition of Inmarsat in 2023 further expanded its global satellite coverage and strengthened its aviation portfolio by merging L-band and Ka-band services.
As of 2024, Viasat's satellite constellation serves over 2,000 commercial aircraft, including partnerships with major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue. With the launch of the Viasat-3 constellation and the announcement of the Amara IFC system, Viasat is positioned not only to maintain its competitive edge but to redefine expectations for in-flight broadband performance.
Amara is Viasat's latest in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution built for commercial aviation and designed to deliver uncompromising Wi-Fi performance across any flight path. Developed to meet global service demands, Amara operates across multiple satellite constellations, including Viasat's own ViaSat-3 network and other Ka-band satellite ecosystems. This multilayered compatibility ensures uninterrupted internet access from gate to gate.
Unlike legacy IFC systems tethered to a single satellite provider, Amara's multi-network operability equips airlines with flexibility for global route coverage. The system's built-in AI traffic management automatically allocates bandwidth where it's most needed-prioritizing data-heavy segments of flights without user intervention. Combined with its use of advanced compression algorithms and bandwidth adaptation, the result is a consistently high-speed and stable wireless experience, regardless of congested skies or high-density routes.
For airlines, Amara offers measurable cost efficiencies by leveraging open architecture and reducing equipment replacement cycles. Its compatibility with existing aircraft systems streamlines installation and mitigates downtime. From a passenger's standpoint, the payoff comes in the form of high-throughput broadband capable of supporting Netflix-grade streaming, uninterrupted video conferencing, and instant messaging-all at altitudes above 30,000 feet.
In parallel, crew members gain access to real-time operational data, enhancing onboard services and enabling advanced telemetry for maintenance alerts. This dual capability-delighting passengers while empowering airline operations-places Amara in a position of strategic advantage.
Viasat engineered Amara for seamless deployment into current airline infrastructures. Compatibility with existing Ka-band terminals and forward-fit line-replaceable units (LRUs) reduces the time and engineering approvals required for integration. Whether retrofitting a fleet or launching new aircraft, onboarding Amara involves minimal disruption yet delivers immediate connectivity improvements.
Viasat has introduced a next-generation aero antenna platform purpose-built to complement the capabilities of its newly launched Amara In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) solution. These antennas incorporate advanced engineering to keep pace with the demands of high-quality, high-capacity inflight service at scale.
The new aero antennas are shaped by a modular, software-configurable design. This architecture enables airline partners to integrate them across multiple aircraft types with minimal reconfiguration. By scaling vertically and maintaining compatibility across fleet variations, installation and retrofit timelines shorten significantly.
One defining feature: Viasat uses phased-array technology in its flat-panel antenna systems. Compared to legacy gimbaled antennas, these electronically steered arrays (ESAs) achieve faster satellite handoffs and higher reliability-all while weighing less and reducing fuselage drag.
These antennas are designed to function cohesively with Viasat's global satellite networks, including the ViaSat-3 constellation. The high-gain performance ensures consistent throughput in congested flight corridors and over oceans-areas where traditional systems experience latency degradation.
Interoperability sits at the core of this platform. By supporting network interoperability across both geostationary and non-geostationary orbit networks (GEO and NGSO), Viasat's aero antennas give airlines the flexibility to evolve their service roadmap without switching hardware. That means future-proof capability embedded at the hardware level.
Passengers receive near-home broadband experiences at 35,000 feet. Aircraft bandwidth remains stable through turbulent weather, multi-device usage scenarios, and geographic shifts. Cabin crew also gain operational enhancements ranging from real-time maintenance uploads to onboard sales system reliability.
These antenna systems aren't just communication devices-they are active enablers of the aviation industry's digital transformation. Viasat's engineering precision ensures that the antennas are not only technically sophisticated but functionally transformative.
Modern aircraft demand uninterrupted access to high-speed internet across vast and varied geographies. Satellite communications enable this level of engagement, connecting aircraft cruising over oceans, remote landscapes, and less dense air corridors where ground towers don't reach. Unlike air-to-ground systems, satellite-based IFC (in-flight connectivity) delivers uniform coverage without dependence on terrestrial infrastructure. This architecture proves particularly effective for long-haul and transcontinental routes where network handoffs are minimized and latency is easier to manage.
Ku- and Ka-band satellite constellations are engineered to support varying bandwidth and beam-forming characteristics. Ka-band, which Viasat leverages extensively, allows for higher throughput per user and better spectral efficiency. These attributes become especially relevant during high-demand periods-such as when hundreds of passengers simultaneously stream video or access cloud-based apps. With onboard modem technology aligned to beam-switching capabilities, satellite links ensure sessions stay live and responsive from gate to gate.
Viasat's satellite fleet forms a densely interconnected web that spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and parts of Asia and Latin America. The company's proprietary Viasat-1, Viasat-2, and upcoming Viasat-3 constellation collectively push the industry standard forward by offering multi-terabit capacity and dynamic bandwidth allocation. These satellites interlink via ground stations and software-defined networking, enabling real-time traffic balancing and optimized routes for data delivery.
Multi-beam architecture across these assets supports spot-beam switching tailored to aircraft movement. This system ensures no drop in signal strength even during handoffs between satellites. Viasat's commitment to vertically integrated design-from spacecraft to terminals-lets it fine-tune every part of the pipeline for aviation-specific challenges.
Every second of inflight connectivity relies on a chain of well-coordinated transitions between onboard hardware and external satellite signals. Viasat minimizes interference and lag through intelligent modem software, forward-error correction techniques, and secure connection protocols. Onboard equipment, including the new Amara system and advanced aero antennas, automatically aligns with satellite beams without manual recalibration, even during rapid flight path adjustments.
Passengers stream content, conduct video calls, and collaborate on cloud platforms midair with the same quality they'd expect on the ground. What makes this seamless is not just the bandwidth but how effectively that bandwidth is shaped, prioritized, and delivered. Viasat uses real-time telemetry and AI-powered network analytics to adapt to changing user loads and route-specific congestion patterns.
From the cockpit to the cabin, satellite communications now integrate into operational systems as well-powering crew communication apps, telemetry uploads, and real-time weather data downloads. In short, the satellite link is not just about leisure streaming; it has become an integral layer of aircraft intelligence.
Aircraft in flight navigate a dynamic and complex environment that presents specific roadblocks to consistent, high-quality connectivity. Altitude introduces aerodynamic factors that impact antenna design. Aircraft speed-often surpassing 500 miles per hour-creates latency and handover issues. Flight paths can span remote, low-satellite-density regions where maintaining continuous signal integrity becomes more complicated. Additionally, air-to-ground (ATG) interference, frequent changes in satellite beam coordination, and bandwidth contention during peak periods strain traditional IFC systems.
Cabin architecture adds another layer of complexity. Metallic fuselage, variable passenger density, and onboard electronics contribute to signal absorption or reflection. Simultaneously, regulatory constraints across airspaces and national jurisdictions impose strict operational parameters, especially regarding spectrum use and encrypted data protocols. All these elements mean no single solution can serve global aviation needs without significant engineering investment.
Viasat has confronted these connectivity hurdles with an integrated, systems-level approach that combines hardware innovation, satellite network optimization, and targeted software intelligence.
By combining these strategies, Viasat doesn't merely install hardware on aircraft; it creates an adaptive ecosystem. Rather than reacting to performance gaps, the system anticipates them. That's a meaningful distinction in an industry where dropped connections can redefine passenger satisfaction metrics and operational reliability standards.
How does that translate at 40,000 feet? During long-haul flights, passengers on different continents experience consistent, low-latency performance, while airline IT teams gain network telemetry that informs predictive maintenance and customized passenger services. High-speed, resilient, and truly global connectivity isn't just possible-it's already operational.
Passenger expectations in commercial aviation continue to evolve, and airlines are responding by investing heavily in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) upgrades. The global IFEC market reached an estimated $5.7 billion in 2023, according to Future Market Insights, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% from 2023 to 2033. This trajectory signals both technological advancement and a clear shift in airline strategies prioritizing passenger experience and digital transformation.
Viasat's introduction of Amara, alongside its new-generation Aero Antennas, has already started to influence market dynamics. Industry analysts at NSR (Northern Sky Research) anticipate that by 2027, nearly 34,000 commercial aircraft worldwide will be equipped with broadband IFC systems-up from around 20,000 in 2023. With Amara offering multi-orbit compatibility and minimized drag due to the thinner form factor of the new Aero Antennas, airlines gain both operational efficiency and flexibility in service deployment.
As more airlines adopt these cutting-edge systems, Viasat is poised to capture a growing share of the projected $12 billion global IFEC market by 2030. Emerging markets-particularly in Asia-Pacific and Latin America-are expected to drive a notable portion of this expansion, as regional carriers modernize their fleets and seek competitive differentiation through connectivity.
What could this mean for airline revenue strategies, especially with connectivity becoming a revenue-generating service? And how might rivals adjust their roadmaps in response to Viasat's aggressive innovation cycle? The next wave of IFEC development isn't speculative-it's already in motion.
The in-flight connectivity (IFC) market is driven by a handful of dominant providers, each bringing unique capabilities to the evolving expectations of passengers and airlines. Providers like Panasonic Avionics, Inmarsat, Intelsat, and Gogo Business Aviation have established themselves through global coverage models, satellite constellations, and integrated IFEC platforms.
Panasonic Avionics maintains long-standing partnerships with major airlines and leverages its Ku-band network, backed by over 3,300 aircraft deployments. Inmarsat, now merged with Viasat, historically capitalized on its Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band service, targeting long-haul and wide-body markets. Meanwhile, Intelsat (post-acquisition of Gogo Commercial Aviation) blends GEO HTS satellites with 2Ku technology, focusing on high capacity at scale.
Gogo Business Aviation stands out in the North American domestic market, particularly for business jets, delivering ATG-based and up-and-coming LEO services. Recent entrants, including SpaceX's Starlink, are reshaping IFC conversations with fixed-pricing models, low-latency LEO coverage, and direct partnerships with airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines.
Amara, Viasat's latest IFC solution, moves beyond conventional bandwidth metrics. It integrates vertically with Viasat's global Ka-band network and is engineered with a multi-orbit operating architecture. This enables simultaneous compatibility with existing GEO Viasat satellites, the upcoming ViaSat-3 constellation, and potential LEO constellations in the future.
Unlike legacy systems that face trade-offs between spectral efficiency and hardware bulk, Amara's design enables high throughput with a compact form factor. Initial tests place Amara's performance at over 200 Mbps sustained downstream throughput per aircraft, a significant improvement over average Ku-band offerings, which often fluctuate between 15-75 Mbps depending on regional capacity and weather conditions.
Additionally, Viasat's proprietary adaptive bitrate control and end-to-end encryption architecture offer streamlined bandwidth allocation without compromising data security or streaming quality. By integrating cloud-native software and predictive maintenance protocols, Amara reduces downtime and logistical overhead - factors that directly compete with the service models of Panasonic's NEXT platform and Inmarsat's GX North America bundle.
Which direction will other providers take in response to these shifts? With Starlink's low-latency LEO bets and Panasonic adapting to hybrid models, competitive dynamics will intensify. But Amara's entry triggers more than just a new product cycle - it defines a benchmark other players must meet or exceed to stay relevant.
With the integration of Viasat's Amara IFC solution and new Aero Antennas, passengers experience a significant upgrade in connectivity quality. Internet speeds increase, buffering time drops, and access to data-intensive services like video streaming, cloud-based productivity tools, and live TV becomes seamless-even on high-traffic routes with heavy user loads.
The intelligent beam-steering capabilities of the Aero Antennas ensure consistent performance across diverse geographies, including transoceanic and remote routes. Combined with Amara's open architecture and high throughput capacity, travelers can expect reliable, low-latency access throughout the entire flight, not just when flying over populated regions.
Onboard systems also benefit. Cabin crews can process payments faster, personalize passenger service using live CRM data, and access updated weather or route data mid-flight-raising operational responsiveness.
JetX, a launch partner for Amara in North America, reported a 45% increase in positive feedback on in-flight connectivity within the first 60 days of deployment. According to their lead cabin services officer, "Passengers quickly noticed the difference-especially frequent flyers. Where buffering was once expected, now they're finishing entire episodes uninterrupted."
Another airline, operating primarily in transatlantic corridors, achieved 30% lower customer support queries related to onboard Wi-Fi after replacing legacy IFC with Amara and Aero Antennas. The consistency of connectivity, even at cruising altitude over the mid-Atlantic, eliminated previous service gaps and performance dips.
Connectivity is no longer a novelty-it's a factor in booking decisions, passenger satisfaction scores, and repeat business. As airline differentiation shifts from legroom and perks to digital experiences, Amara positions carriers to meet evolving expectations while capitalizing on low maintenance costs through its modular, upgrade-friendly design.
Furthermore, Aero Antennas' smooth aerodynamics reduce drag, which supports fuel efficiency objectives without compromising performance. Airlines planning to align with sustainability targets while expanding connectivity services recognize this dual advantage.
For operators preparing for ultra-long-haul routes, next-gen streaming, or hybrid in-flight entertainment models, adopting Amara and Viasat's latest antenna tech isn't merely a tech refresh-it's a strategic shift in passenger engagement.
Viasat's launch of the Amara IFC solution and the new Aero Terminal antennas introduces a new performance standard in aviation connectivity. These advances fuse hardware innovation with network flexibility, meeting rising passenger expectations and enhancing operational efficiency for airlines.
Amara combines open architecture design with forward-compatible modem technology, giving it the agility to evolve with satellite network advancements. Meanwhile, the Aero antenna systems leverage Viasat's vertically integrated satellite network and deliver consistent, high-throughput performance across regional and global flight corridors. Airlines gain not just a technological upgrade, but a strategic asset aligned with long-term digital transformation goals.
From a market standpoint, these developments arrive at a pivotal point. The IFC industry is projected to surpass $7.3 billion in value by 2030 (Allied Market Research, 2023), and operators are under pressure to differentiate service offerings while reducing costs. Viasat's vertically integrated model and hardware/software synergy offer a compelling value proposition as demand accelerates.
For passengers, expectations have moved beyond simple connectivity toward streaming, real-time messaging, and uninterrupted service across long-haul flights. Viasat answers that demand with solutions designed for scale, speed, and seamless user experience.
What do you think about these innovations? How do you see this influencing your operations, fleet plans, or travel habits?
Dig deeper into Viasat's aviation solutions and discover how Amara and Aero Terminals can reshape your in-flight strategy.