In-Flight Connectivity Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2023-2028

Market Highlights

The In-Flight Connectivity Market is likely to rebound at a promising CAGR of 13.7%, in the long run, to reach US$ 3.2 Billion in 2028.

What is an In-Flight Connectivity?

In-flight connectivity is an underlying technology that offers connectivity through the air to ground or through L-, Ku- or Ka-band satellites, to the airlines by sending and receiving signals via antennas and supportive equipment which enable the passenger to use the internet, call, or send e-mails during a flight hour.

More than 120 commercial airlines provide IFC to passengers worldwide to improve the passenger travel experience. In 2022, the total number of commercial aircraft connected to IFC services recorded a milestone after reaching more than 10,000 commercial aircraft.

Furthermore, an expected ramp-up in the production rates of several renowned aircraft programs, such as A320, A350XWB, and B737Max; upcoming new aircraft programs such as C919; and the gradual recovery of the MRO market are likely to boost the demand for IFC in the coming years.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an enormous decline in the aviation industry across regions, due to a sudden fall in retrofitting of aircraft, and an unexpected rise in the retirement rate. The grave impact of the pandemic was registered across the supply chain including the IFC service providers.

In-flight connectivity, a sizeable market, could not escape from such trends and witnessed a colossal decline (-32%+ in 2020) amid the pandemic, relatively low than that of the decline in the overall aircraft industry. The market has again suffered a decline in 2021 amid gloomy market conditions with the cancellation or postponement of several refurbishment orders by airlines across the world due to the economic crisis coupled with the temporary suspension of B787 aircraft deliveries. The market is expected to regain its pre-pandemic level by 2023.

Market Segments’ Analysis

The in-flight connectivity market is segmented into narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, regional aircraft, and business jets. With the highest share, narrow-body aircraft is expected to remain the largest aircraft type segment in the market during the forecast period, owing to an expected recovery in RPKs; the projected increase in production rates of key aircraft programs, such as A320, B737, and A220; and the growing demand for improved in-flight passenger cabin experience.

The market is segmented into ATG, L-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, and hybrid band. ATG connectivity is expected to remain the preferred choice for business jets, whereas Ku-band for commercial aircraft during the forecast period. ATG is frequently used by business jet travelers which provides ground-level connectivity from cellular towers for short-haul business travel, whereas satellite connectivity enables the aircraft to remain connected overseas. Ku-band is the extensively used band in satellite connectivity with frequency ranges from 11-14 GHz, which ensures the low latency and capacity required to meet the bandwidth demands of in-flight passengers.

The market is segmented into antenna systems, modems, servers, and wireless access points (WAPs). Antenna systems are expected to remain the dominant hardware type in the IFC market during the forecast period. They play a crucial role in maintaining connectivity at 35,000 feet and transferring signals from ground level to aircraft via ATG or satellite communication.

The market is segmented into cellular, Wi-Fi, and hybrid network. Wi-Fi network type is expected to contribute the highest share in the market during the forecast period. In-flight Wi-Fi has become a necessity for airlines to provide the best passenger experience for calling, watching online videos, accessing office e-mails, and surfing social media and commercial sites.

In terms of regions, North America is expected to remain the largest market for in-flight connectivity during the forecast period. North America has been an active region for a long time in terms of in-flight connectivity with more than 80% IFC deployed in all aircraft flying out in the region. Also, the region has the six largest connected fleets globally which are connected by the world’s largest connectivity providers such as Viasat, Gogo, and Intelsat from both ATG and Satcom.

Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest pace over the next five years, driven by an expected rebound in aircraft deliveries, increasing passenger air travel and RPKs in emerging economies such as India and China; introduction of new aircraft programs such as C919. With a total of 842 connected aircraft in the Chinese fleet, the country is ready to set a new height in terms of IFC. In 2021, Viasat announced to offer of its Ka-band service to China Satcom’s ChinaSat-16 satellite to fulfill the requirements for domestic and international airlines entering Chinese airspace.

The IFC market is consolidated with the presence of several big players around the globe. Most of the major players have pre-defined contracts with top airline providers and with a few OEMs. The connectivity service is majorly driven by retrofit demand with numerous airlines refurbishing their fleets with IFC connections to enhance the passenger cabin experience. The following are the key players in the in-flight connectivity market. Most of the major players are providing connectivity either through ATG or satellite or both.

• Intelsat S.A.
• Gogo Inc.
• Viasat Inc.
• Panasonic Corporation
• Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.
• Inmarsat Global Ltd.

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:

• In 2021, Viasat acquired Inmarsat to strengthen its position in the market.
• In 2020, Intelsat acquired Gogo’s commercial aviation segment, to become the world’s leading provider of commercial in-flight broadband and entertainment services.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s in-flight connectivity market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2023 to 2028. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with the analyst's internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. The analyst conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.