Jetstar Selects Viasat to Power In-flight Connectivity Across Its Long-Range International Routes
Rhea-AI Summary
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) has been selected by Jetstar to equip 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with the Viasat AMARA multi-orbit in-flight connectivity platform. Installations have begun, initial aircraft entered service in April 2026, and full fleet fit-outs will continue through mid 2027.
Viasat AMARA uses Ka-band capacity today and is designed to scale with ViaSat-3 deployments and planned Ka-band LEO integration from Telesat Lightspeed, supporting Jetstar’s shift to a personal-device cabin strategy.
Positive
- Contract covers 11 Boeing 787 aircraft for in-flight connectivity
- Installations underway; initial aircraft entered service in April 2026
- Full fleet installations scheduled through mid 2027
- Multi-orbit design supports ViaSat-3 and planned Telesat Lightspeed LEO integration
- Supports Jetstar’s personal-device strategy aligned with 94% passenger device preference
Negative
- Initial rollout limited to 11 aircraft, implying constrained near-term revenue contribution
- Announcement discloses no contract value or financial terms for investors
News Market Reaction – VSAT
In the Apr 22 session, VSAT gained 0.88%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20 | Satellite launch update | Positive | +2.0% | Confirmed ViaSat-3 F3 launch timing and Asia-Pacific throughput plans. |
| Apr 14 | Aviation equipment eval | Positive | +0.8% | Boeing technical evaluation of Viasat AERA for key aircraft programs. |
| Mar 02 | Auto voice collaboration | Positive | +3.2% | HARMAN partnership to enable in-cabin voice calls over satellite. |
| Mar 02 | D2D network update | Positive | +3.2% | Space42 Equatys D2D satellite infrastructure progress shared at MWC. |
| Feb 25 | Vehicle voice demo | Positive | -0.5% | Planned demo of satellite-enabled voice calling for connected vehicles. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent partnership and satellite deployment news has generally aligned with positive price reactions, with only one minor divergence on otherwise constructive updates.
Over the last few months, Viasat has reported several strategic developments, including the planned launch of ViaSat-3 F3 for Asia-Pacific coverage by late summer 2026, Boeing’s technical evaluation of the Viasat AERA antenna targeting market entry in 2028, and multiple collaborations around satellite-enabled vehicle connectivity and the Equatys D2D infrastructure. Most of these announcements saw positive 24-hour price moves, suggesting investors have typically reacted constructively to growth and technology milestones similar in tone to this Jetstar IFC win.
Key Terms
multi-orbit technical
ka-band technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
The Viasat AMARA multi-orbit platform chosen to future-proof connectivity to Jetstar’s Boeing 787 fleet
CARLSBAD, Calif., April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, have announced that Jetstar Airways, Australia’s leading low cost airline, has selected Viasat AMARA, Viasat’s next-generation in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution to equip its upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Viasat’s industry-leading system will be installed across 11 Jetstar aircraft, delivering a fast, reliable in-flight internet experience that supports streaming, messaging and browsing in-flight. The solution was selected as part of Jetstar’s cabin modernization program to support long-haul and ultra-long-haul missions, where consistent, high-quality connectivity is increasingly critical to the passenger experience.
Installation for Viasat’s new customer has already begun, with the initial aircraft entering service earlier this month. Full fleet installations will continue through to mid 2027 bringing high-performance, multi-orbit-ready connectivity to passengers across Jetstar’s expanding international network.
Don Buchman, President of Viasat Aviation, said: “Jetstar is making a deliberate investment in the future of the onboard experience, particularly for longer-range flying. Viasat AMARA was designed for exactly this challenge -- delivering a consistent, high-quality connection today, while giving airlines a clear path to scale capacity, resilience, and performance over time through a truly multi-orbit network architecture. By combining Jetstar’s modernized cabins with Viasat’s expanding global satellite network, we’re enabling an in-flight connectivity platform that can grow with passenger expectations and adapt as new capacity and technologies are introduced.”
Enabled today by Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band satellite network, Jetstar Business Class passengers will receive access to in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi when flying on the refreshed 787 aircraft, with a range of paid options available for Economy passengers. Importantly, Viasat AMARA is designed to evolve through software-driven network enhancements, enabling Jetstar to seamlessly benefit from additional capacity and new satellite networks as they come online, without adding operational complexity.
Jetstar Advances Wi-Fi Strategy with a Smart Multi-Orbit Connectivity Platform
With
Viasat AMARA is a multi-network, multi-orbit connectivity platform that intelligently blends satellite resources to deliver consistent, high-quality performance across aircraft types, routes, and flight conditions. By dynamically steering traffic across the best available network paths, the platform is designed to maintain reliability and performance even as demand shifts across regions, flight profiles, and phases of flight.
This partnership is underpinned by Viasat’s expanding global network roadmap, including the continued deployment of ViaSat-3 capacity, which is expected to add significant new bandwidth across the Asia-Pacific region, and the planned integration of Ka-band LEO capacity from Telesat Lightspeed. Together, these investments support a resilient, scalable, and future-ready multi-orbit architecture designed specifically to meet the growing demands of commercial aviation.
Viasat AMARA is part of the aviation portfolio within the company’s Communications Services segment.
*Viasat Passenger Experience Survey 2024
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.
Copyright © 2026 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Viasat, Inc. Contacts:
Scott Goryl, External Communications, Corporate & Aviation, Scott.Goryl@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, IR@viasat.com
About the Jetstar Group
Since taking off in 2004, the Jetstar Group has carried more than 400 million passengers across its extensive domestic and international network. The Group includes Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group) and Jetstar Japan in Japan. Together, the Jetstar Group operates a modern fleet of more than 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, flying to over 50 destinations across more than 130 routes. Jetstar is committed to offering great value low fares, helping customers takeoff more for less. Recognised globally for safety and service, Jetstar continues to be ranked among the world’s best low-cost carriers.
Contact Jetstar:
Jetstar Media, jetstarmedia@jetstar.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the features, benefits and performance of the Viasat AMARA solution; the timing and scope of the introduction and deployment of Viasat’s in-flight connectivity services on Jetstar aircraft; the additional ViaSat-3 capacity expected to come online; and the planned integration of Ka-band LEO capacity from Telesat Lightspeed. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to successfully implement our business plan for our broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of the satellite(s) used to supply these services, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; contractual problems; product defects; manufacturing issues or delays; regulatory issues; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key suppliers; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and other factors affecting the aviation sector generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
