The debate focused on in-flight connectivity (IFC) took place yesterday, on the third day of Satellite 2025. This is a sector that has undergone dramatic change in the last three years, as described by André Patrick, manager of In-Flight Wi-Fi & Analytics at Air Canada. “Before, passengers only demanded reliable service. Now they want it fast and free,” he stressed.
The Canadian airline's sole provider is currently Intelsat. The service has been tested over LEO for a month, with initially positive results.
Hughes discussed its experience with Delta Airlines. Reza Rasoulian, senior VP of the Aviation division, described the quality of service travelers desire as “frustration-free connectivity”—that is, robust, free, and uninterrupted. With the Fusion product, developed by Hughes, the ability to combine different capabilities is successfully removing the friction experienced in flight.