Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation announced today that the global, high-speed Ka-band broadband solution for business aviation customers will be available to G650ER, G650, G550 and G450 operators as a completions option and retrofit beginning in 2017.
“Jet ConneX provides high-speed Wi-Fi service that is up to 34 times faster than that some of our operators currently have,” said Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream. “Passengers will be able to stream videos, make and receive phone calls on their personal smartphones and watch live television almost anywhere.”
The service operates over Inmarsat’s seamless Global Xpress network, providing the same high quality broadband in the sky as users can experience on the ground. Supported applications on Gulfstream aircraft include:
Gulfstream will discuss Jet ConneX’s capabilities with customers at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention in Orlando, Florida on 1-3 November. Jet ConneX is installed on Gulfstream’s G650ER and G500 demonstration aircraft at the event.
The hardware used to link Jet ConneX with Gulfstream’s aircraft is supplied by Honeywell. Gulfstream and Honeywell partnered to begin flight testing of Jet ConneX on a Honeywell-owned G650 in July 2016. Their in-service evaluation, which is ongoing for several aircraft, will continue until mid-2017.
“We are fully committed to providing the best aviation experience to customers, and putting this equipment through a robust in-service evaluation is a critical part of that,” said Mark Burns. “The early feedback from customers has been extremely positive. This technology has been years in the making, and it will allow companies and individuals who use Gulfstream aircraft to be even more productive in the air.”
Kurt Weidemeyer, Inmarsat Vice President of Business Aviation, said: “Jet ConneX is a game changer for the business aviation industry, allowing passengers to access high-speed in-flight broadband with worldwide coverage that is consistent, reliable and unmatched.
“We are delighted that this transformative service will now be available to Gulfstream G650ER, G650, G550 and G450 operators.”