SES wins Finnair and Air Astana multi-orbit in-flight connectivity deals

Finnair and Air Astana have adopted SES’s multi-orbit in-flight connectivity, with Air Astana launching service on an Airbus A321LR on Oct. 29, 2026, and Finnair ordering the hybrid satellite system for 18 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft entering service from Q3 2027 to replace Viasat on its single-aisle fleet.

Finnair’s 18 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft will be line-fitted at Embraer with SES’s electronically steered array antenna, delivering connectivity to SES’s multi-orbit network, including GEO and LEO capacity from OneWeb. Deliveries are scheduled in phases, with three aircraft in 2027, six in 2028, and six in 2029. The order includes options for 16 more planes and purchase rights for 12 additional aircraft, configured with 134 seats and operated by Norra.

Finnair relied on Viasat for in-flight connectivity across its Airbus fleet, and the new agreement replaces that system on its single-aisle aircraft. The Embraer E195-E2s are configured for Finnair’s European network, and Norra, the airline’s current regional partner, will operate them.

The move supports Finnair’s strategy to modernize connectivity across its European network, with the new E195-E2s replacing older aircraft and integrating SES’s hybrid GEO/LEO system. Finnair aims to provide passengers with a home-like broadband experience, enabling seamless connectivity for streaming, work, and digital services on its E195-E2 aircraft. The airline has framed connectivity as central to its passenger experience on the European network.

Simon Large, Finnair’s Chief Customer Officer, emphasized connectivity as a core part of the travel experience, aligning with passenger expectations for ground-like internet access during flights. Blane Boynton, SES’s Senior Vice President of Aviation, said leading airlines are increasingly trusting SES’s multi-orbit IFC solution for its reliability and future scalability, noting its ability to meet current airline needs while adapting to future demands.

Air Astana launched SES’s multi-orbit IFC on its first Airbus A321LR on Oct. 29, 2026, offering complimentary streaming for premium passengers and paid connectivity packages for Economy Class travelers. The airline plans to expand the service across its entire A321LR fleet, with QMobile supporting the rollout and SES managing the service. The launch marks the first phase of Air Astana’s fleet-wide rollout.

The A321LR fleet operates on domestic, regional, and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Gulf, India, and Europe. Air Astana operates a diverse network spanning Central Asia, Europe, and beyond, with the A321LR serving long-haul routes. QMobile, formerly Jusan Mobile, provides technical and telecommunications infrastructure for the service rollout.

SES’s multi-orbit IFC combines geostationary and low-Earth-orbit satellites, using an electronically steered array antenna to provide consistent coverage across routes and regions. The hybrid approach leverages SES’s GEO satellites and Eutelsat’s LEO constellation, OneWeb, to ensure stable connectivity even in high-traffic areas or peak demand.

SES partners with Eutelsat to integrate OneWeb’s LEO constellation into its multi-orbit IFC, enhancing coverage and performance for airlines including Finnair and Air Astana. Thierry Polycarpe of Eutelsat highlighted OneWeb’s role in delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity through the partnership. The collaboration allows SES to combine GEO and LEO capacity, addressing latency and coverage gaps while supporting real-time applications such as streaming and video calls.

Embraer’s ESA antenna system for SES IFC was originally developed under a deal with Intelsat, later acquired by SES, and is now used by airlines such as LATAM Airlines Brasil. The antenna’s integration into Embraer’s E2 family and other aircraft models demonstrates its versatility and compatibility with SES’s multi-orbit network, offering airlines a standardized solution for in-flight connectivity across different aircraft types.

Passenger demand for seamless, high-speed internet access during flights is growing, and airlines are turning to multi-orbit architecture to meet it. The Finnair and Air Astana agreements add hybrid GEO/LEO options to carrier fleets, with SES managing the service for Air Astana and line-fitting electronically steered array antennas on Finnair’s Embraer aircraft.