Quantcast

Seamless Air Alliance partners with ESA to enhance inflight connectivity

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Seamless Air Alliance partners with ESA to enhance inflight connectivity
Events
Webp seamlesslogo final 300dpi
Seamless Air Alliance Logo | Seamless Air Alliance

The Seamless Air Alliance, a consortium of airlines, airframers, original equipment manufacturers, and suppliers, has entered into a memorandum of intent with the European Space Agency (ESA). The agreement was signed at the Farnborough Airshow and aims to push for cellular-from-space requirements for inflight connectivity through the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Seamless CEO Jack Mandala emphasized the importance of this partnership in prioritizing cellular technology within 3GPP's work items. "This agreement helps give us more clout to keep cellular prioritized among the work items in 3GPP: writing code for Ka and Ku bands so that we can do cellular in space," said Mandala. He added that achieving a common modem is the ultimate goal.

Mandala highlighted the need for interoperability and technological agnosticism across various stakeholders, including Airbus and Boeing. He noted that moving towards a common cellular modem would streamline operations due to economies of scale and enhanced interoperability. "The cellular industry has been working at this for over 50 years," he said.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Balancing terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks presents challenges due to diverse technologies aboard aircraft and infrequent system upgrades. Mandala explained that working with ESA aims to merge satellite ubiquity with established terrestrial networks to achieve seamless mobility.

Seamless Air Alliance’s mission aligns with ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity initiative under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program. While current modems will continue serving existing inflight connectivity needs, Mandala predicts a gradual shift towards 3GPP modems as secondary options.

Inflight connectivity is increasingly becoming essential on many airlines, leading to varied business models such as free access or ad-supported services. Convergence around billing and commercial terms is also expected to evolve alongside technological advancements.

Mandala pointed out that mobile network operators could subsidize inflight connectivity costs against subscriber acquisition expenses. "If they can subsidize your inflight connectivity, and that makes you last longer as a customer, the payback is huge," he stated.

Regulatory developments may also influence market dynamics. The future composition of the European Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen could impact digital and competition policies related to inflight connectivity.

Laurent Jaffart, ESA director of connectivity and secure communications, expressed pride in joining Seamless Air Alliance. "It enables us to share the impact that space-based connectivity can have on Earth and in the air," Jaffart noted.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

UNI Global Union's U.S. affiliate, SEIU, is staging protests across the country against the detention of immigrant workers, including SEIU members.

Apr 18, 2025

An international delegation was barred from entering an Elanders/Bergen Logistics distribution center in New Jersey.

Apr 18, 2025

UNI Global Union affiliate, Communication Workers’ Union of Kenya (COWU Kenya), and Teleperformance have reached a local implementation agreement in Kenya.

Apr 18, 2025