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Intelsat reports significant growth in its backlog for multi-orbit inflight connectivity (IFC) solutions, despite the high-profile presence of SpaceX’s Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication system. According to Dave Bijur, Intelsat's head of commercial aviation, "We have more orders than Starlink does," adding that they believe they have secured more orders than any other provider over the past year.
Bijur confirmed that Intelsat’s previous 800-tail backlog has increased through undisclosed customers and emphasized the company’s "great progress" with Boeing's linefit program. Intelsat collaborates with Stellar Blu Solutions, which has a technical service agreement with Boeing for the Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) package supporting multi-orbit IFC. Stellar Blu is being acquired by Gilat Satellite Networks, targeting an early Q4 closure.
Japan Airlines is the first publicly announced customer for Intelsat's multi-orbit IFC using this hardware on its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, expected to be factory-fitted starting in 2026. Bijur anticipates concurrent or near-concurrent launch activities among customers Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and American Airlines by fall.
