Viasat’s next-gen cockpit service reaches milestone as airlines modernize communications to save fuel
Rhea-AI Summary
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) announced that its SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) cockpit connectivity is now in service on 1,000 aircraft, highlighting rising airline demand for certified, satellite-enabled safety communications.
SB-S has averaged 42% annual take-up since 2018, with a goal of serving 1,200+ aircraft by end-2026 and supporting Viasat’s broader portfolio connecting over 12,000 cockpits worldwide.
Positive
- SwiftBroadband-Safety reaches 1,000 in-service aircraft
- Average 42% annual SB-S take-up since 2018
- Target of 1,200+ SB-S aircraft by end of 2026
- More than 12,000 cockpits connected across Viasat aviation safety services
- SB-S positioned within Communication Services segment of commercial business
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – VSAT
In the May 26 session, VSAT gained 9.17%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +12.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 48 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07 | Board, cooperation deal | Positive | -1.4% | New directors and cooperation agreement supporting strategic review efforts. |
| Apr 29 | Satellite launch success | Positive | +11.2% | Successful ViaSat-3 F3 launch and healthy initial signal acquisition. |
| Apr 23 | Defense network product | Positive | -0.8% | Launch of Tactical Mission Fabric for advanced tactical defense networking. |
| Apr 22 | Jetstar IFC contract | Positive | -0.3% | Jetstar selecting Viasat AMARA for 11 Boeing 787 in-flight connectivity. |
| Apr 20 | Launch scheduling | Positive | +2.0% | Confirmation of ViaSat-3 F3 launch date and service timeline. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Operational and contract wins often saw muted or negative immediate reactions, while major satellite launch milestones aligned with stronger price gains.
Over the past months, Viasat reported several strategic and operational milestones. Board expansion and a cooperation agreement on May 7, 2026 were followed by a modest decline. Confirmation of ViaSat-3 F3 launch on April 20, 2026 and its successful launch on April 29, 2026 coincided with positive moves, especially a +11.18% reaction to the successful launch. Other product and connectivity wins in defense and commercial aviation saw slightly negative or flat reactions. Today’s cockpit-connectivity milestone fits this pattern of operational progress in aviation and satellite services.
Key Terms
swiftbroadband-safety technical
acars technical
air traffic control (atc) technical
air-traffic management (atm) technical
telemedicine medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
1,000th aircraft enters service using Viasat Swift-Broadband-Safety (SB-S): reflecting growing airline demand
for reliable connectivity to support flight safety and improve operational efficiency.
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it has reached 1,000 aircraft for its SB-S service: a milestone that underscores strong adoption and accelerating momentum for satellite-enabled safety communications in aviation.
SwiftBroadband-Safety is a certified, global safety communications service that supports Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications, airline operations and regulatory compliance, helping pilots and operators improve situational awareness and operational resilience.
Since its introduction in 2018, SB-S has continued strong equipage growth with reliable international safety communications performance. Take-up from airlines has expanded at an average rate of
Part of Viasat’s Communication Services financial segment, within its commercial business, SB-S is a secure, broadband IP datalink for both operations and safety communications in the flight deck. It delivers highly reliable safety services via both traditional ACARS data link and next-generation IP connections, helping airlines to be ready for future air traffic management evolutions. IP connectivity also enables operational efficiencies for airlines including engine monitoring, real-time weather, telemedicine, and preventive maintenance.
The service also powers Iris, Viasat’s ground-breaking air-traffic management (ATM) program with the European Space Agency. Using satellite-based data link through SB-S, Iris is designed to support several benefits for airlines and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), including minimizing flight delays, saving fuel and reducing the environmental impact of air travel.
“This milestone underscores the excitement for SB-S as airlines continue to look for proven, certified connectivity to improve flight safety and operational performance – including reduced fuel consumption, lower emission, and improved on time performance,” said Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President, Aircraft Operations & Safety at Viasat. “As the service continues to grow, SB-Safety is building a durable base of long-term value for both our aviation customers, and for Viasat.”
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
Richard Jones, External Communications, Corporate & Commercial Services, Richard.jones@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, IR@viasat.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. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the expected growth, adoption and future installations of Viasat’s SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) service; projected aircraft installations and timelines; and expected operational, fuel-saving and environmental benefits for airline customers. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: our ability to successfully implement our business plans for aviation connectivity services on anticipated timelines or at all; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our satellite network and any future satellites we may construct or acquire; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including anomalies, operational failures or degradation in satellite performance; the effect of adverse regulatory changes (including changes affecting spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our ability to sell or deploy our products and services; changes in the way others use spectrum; our inability to access additional spectrum, use spectrum for additional purposes, and/or operate satellites at additional orbital locations; competing uses of the same spectrum or orbital locations that we utilize or seek to utilize; introduction of new technologies; and other factors affecting the communications and defense industries generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our 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. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2ad3331-f5c9-4e4a-8e19-3e25d9ff5718
