Two national airlines opt for advanced inflight connectivity with SES Open Orbits

Two national airlines opt for advanced inflight connectivity with SES Open Orbits
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Oct 31, 2024

SES's advanced inflight connectivity solution, SES Open Orbits, has been selected by both Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines to implement high-speed, multi-orbit internet connectivity on their aircraft. This new agreement will bring the SES Open Orbits network to Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines, enhancing passenger internet access for linefit and retrofit configurations across their fleets.

In partnership with Neo Space Group (NSG), Saudi Arabia's prominent commercial satellite services provider, SES will deploy its SES Open Orbits network to ensure seamless, fast connectivity at speeds up to 300 Mbps on Airbus and Boeing aircraft. NSG, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will integrate its Skywaves solution within SES Open Orbits, providing passengers a smooth inflight experience.

Thai Airways, as the national carrier of Thailand, will be the first in Southeast Asia to utilize SES Open Orbits for complimentary Wi-Fi streaming for business class and Orchid Plus passengers. The installations will cover future Thai Airways A321NX and B777 aircraft, while Turkish Airlines will introduce SES Open Orbits on its new A350 fleet, offering passengers enhanced connectivity options.

SES Open Orbits, introduced earlier in the year, features a fully interoperable Ka-band platform supporting an open network architecture. This enables traffic management across multiple satellite operators, delivering an uninterrupted connectivity experience for passengers. The platform is equipped with ThinKom's ThinAir Ka2517 Antenna, optimized for both GEO and NGSO satellite constellations, providing agility and reliability across orbits to airlines worldwide.

"We are thrilled to partner with leading airlines such as Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines to showcase the power and flexibility of our multi-orbit IFC solutions. Supported by the SES Open Orbits network, our tailored connectivity solutions and unparalleled digital services will play a critical role in transforming and enhancing our customers' passenger experience, setting airlines apart in the highly competitive aviation industry," said Martijn Blanken, CEO of NSG.

"SES Open Orbits is built on a partnership principle at all levels - partners with key regional satellite operators, aircraft manufacturers and IFC system integrators. By leveraging their expertise and regional coverage, we are able to create a scalable and open multi-orbit network, which uses innovative technology to improve IFC services offered. Our ambition is to close the gap between the connected experience at home and in a passenger seat," said Andrew Ruszkowski, Global Head of Aviation of SES.