It's all go for Gogo and Galileo

Gogo Galileo combines the latest Eutelsat-OneWeb LEO satellite technology to deliver speeds of up to 195 Mbps for secure internet to the aircraft.

This means business jet passengers can now enjoy better in-flight connectivity, including internet browsing, video streaming, and live TV via their own tablets, smartphones and laptops.

The company was at MEBAA 2024 in Dubai to display its HDX antenna option for Gogo Galileo. The OneWeb satellite network currently has more than 630 Ku-band satellites in low-Earth circular orbit at an altitude of about 1,200 km (750 miles), spread across 12 synchronised orbital planes.

To access the satellites, business aviation users have a choice of two antenna options, called HDX and the slightly larger FDX, to fit on any size business aircraft.

The HDX option can deliver up to 60 Mbps download speeds and 11 Mbps up with low-latency service. The faster FDX option can deliver up to 195 Mbps down and 32 Mbps up.

Eutelsat-OneWeb's satellite constellation offers high-speed, low-latency inflight Wi-Fi around the globe, even over the poles, and with no bandwidth sharing with residential customers.

The service is a straightforward add-on to any existing Gogo Avance inflight connectivity system with the addition of a single antenna. For new customers, Gogo Avance simplifies the installation with everything in one unit, plus one antenna.

Gogo is currently working on Galileo STCs for a range of business aircraft, including models by Airbus (ACJ), Bombardier, Dassault, Pilatus, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker and Textron.

The company has acquired IFC specialist Satcom Direct, giving it access to business aviation, military and government mobility markets.

Other LEO systems for business aviation include the new Starlink system, which is being fitted to Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream G650ER fleet. This can deliver up to 350mbps, allowing passengers to stream movies and TV shows, watch live sports and work uninterrupted.

Another LEO system in the pipeline is Amazon’s Project Kuiper. This will bring global broadband access through a constellation of more than 3,000 satellites, but it is still a couple of years from full commercial launch.