Viasat to supercharge business aviation in-flight connectivity for JetXP customers with global multi-orbit capabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat (NASDAQ:VSAT) will add Telesat Lightspeed LEO capacity to its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband, combining ViaSat-3 GEO throughput with resilient LEO routing to boost latency-sensitive apps like HD video conferencing and interactive gaming.

JetXP will offer multi-orbit as a single plan option, require an additional flat-panel ESA antenna designed to integrate with existing tail-mount hardware, and measure performance with the new AI-driven iQe Quality of Experience score coming next year. Telesat Lightspeed LEO service is scheduled to enter commercial service in late 2027.

Positive

• Multi-orbit integration with Telesat Lightspeed LEO
• Single-plan multi-orbit offering reduces dual-subscription need
• iQe AI-driven QoE monitoring launching next year
• HEO payloads to deliver Arctic coverage from next year
• 5,000+ business jets using Viasat legacy solutions

Negative

• Customers must buy an additional flat-panel ESA antenna
• Telesat Lightspeed commercial service not until late 2027

Insights

Aerospace Connectivity Strategist

Viasat’s multi-orbit move with Telesat Lightspeed LEO strengthens JetXP’s redundancy and global performance, raising product competitiveness.

Combining Viasat’s GEO throughput, including ViaSat-3, with Telesat Lightspeed LEO increases routing options and lowers latency-sensitive application risk by enabling real-time choice between orbits. Requiring a single subscription for multi-orbit service and an additional flat-panel ESA simplifies commercial packaging and may ease adoption among operators already using JetXP.

Key dependencies include successful integration and certification of the new ESA with existing tail-mount antennas, regulatory approvals in specific markets, and the planned commercial entry of Lightspeed in late 2027. Watch deployment milestones and the rollout of the iQe QoE metric in next year for measurable service performance; those items will drive customer uptake and demonstrate the claimed benefits within 12–24 months of each milestone.

New enhancements, including LEO capacity, will further boost performance for private jet passengers using applications such as interactive gaming and HD video conferencing across multiple devices

CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, today announced a major advancement in its business aviation multi-orbit strategy, with plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite capacity into its JetXP in-flight broadband service.

The combination of Viasat’s ultra-high throughput Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) capabilities - including the advanced ViaSat-3 satellites - with flexible and resilient LEO capacity will further enhance JetXP’s reliable, consistent, high-performance connectivity, offering even greater redundancy and global coverage.

JetXP is designed to deliver the best available performance between GEO and LEO satellites by intelligently routing data in real-time. This optimizes the connectivity experience to meet different levels of customer demand, including applications more sensitive to latency and jitter - such as interactive gaming, high-definition video conferencing and real-time cloud collaboration – on multiple devices at the same time.

Reflecting Viasat’s customer-first philosophy, the multi-orbit capabilities will be available as a single offering on selected JetXP plans, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions. Customers will require an additional flat-panel Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA), designed to work seamlessly with JetXP’s existing tail-mount antennas and featuring less Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for ease-of-installation. Further details will be unveiled next year.

Don Buchman, Aviation President at Viasat, said: “We’re proud that Viasat has successfully pioneered some of business aviation’s greatest in-flight connectivity innovations over the past 35 years, all with a focus on delivering the very best experience possible to stay ahead of evolving customer needs. That’s been a key part of our success and the reason why our premium solutions are widely-adopted on more than 5,000 business jets worldwide.

“GEO remains our highly-efficient, scalable and cost-effective backbone. It will continue to single-handedly meet the long-term needs of many business aviation customers, delivering significant capacity, proven reliability and global coverage. However, we understand that certain requirements are better served with multi-orbit capabilities and have designed our network architecture to intelligently orchestrate this, as shown with our Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payloads, which will deliver Artic coverage on selected JetXP terminals from next year. The integration of Telesat Lightspeed LEO is another breakthrough and has been scheduled to enter commercial service in late 2027.”

The performance of all JetXP service plans, including the future multi-orbit options, will be measured using Viasat’s market-first iQe (In-flight Quality of Experience) concept. Purpose built for business aviation, iQe will be available next year, using AI and advanced analytics to continuously monitor a broad range of network metrics in real-time. The results are instantly translated into a single Quality of Experience (QoE) score that clearly reflects the overall connectivity experience for principals, operators and flight crew.

This customer-centric approach aligns with a new report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, which states that peak-speed metrics fail to capture the moments that truly matter to passengers, such as joining a board meeting without the connection dropping, closing multi-million dollar deals without disruption or watching crucial sporting moments without buffering. The research calls for a broader range of metrics – such as latency, jitter, packet loss and bandwidth – to be evaluated, with the results presented in a clear, intuitive way that shows whether users accomplished their objectives without friction.

Editor’s Note: JetXP builds on Viasat’s proven track record for delivering consistent, reliable and high-performance global connectivity, backed by extensive regulatory approval across the world, including strategic markets such as India and China, together with the concierge customer service and 24/7 support of its distribution partners - Collins Aerospace, Gogo and Honeywell. As Viasat’s most advanced in-flight connectivity solution for business aviation, JetXP brings together the legacy Jet ConneX and Viasat Ka services under one unified brand, while also unleashing the full power of Viasat’s Ka-band network. More than 2,100 customers are now enjoying JetXP’s premium benefits, such as uncapped speeds, expanded capacity and increased network prioritization.

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 © 2025 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

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 related to the features, benefits and performance of the JetXP service; Viasat’s plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite capacity into its JetXP in-flight broadband service, including the timing thereof; the availability of Artic coverage on selected JetXP terminals next year; and the compatibility of a flat-panel Electronically Steered Antenna with JetXP’s existing tail-mount antennas. 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 satellite, 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.

FAQ

What does Viasat's integration of Telesat Lightspeed mean for VSAT shareholders?

Integration adds multi-orbit capacity to JetXP, potentially improving service resilience and addressable demand for latency-sensitive in-flight apps.

When will Telesat Lightspeed LEO be commercially available for JetXP (VSAT)?

Telesat Lightspeed LEO is scheduled to enter commercial service in late 2027.

Will JetXP customers need new hardware for the VSAT multi-orbit upgrade?

Yes. Customers will require an additional flat-panel ESA antenna designed to work with existing tail-mount antennas.

How will Viasat measure JetXP performance after the multi-orbit launch?

Viasat will use the AI-driven iQe Quality of Experience score to monitor latency, jitter, packet loss and bandwidth in real time starting next year.

Does JetXP multi-orbit coverage include Arctic and other global markets (VSAT)?

Viasat says HEO payloads will deliver Arctic coverage from next year and JetXP has regulatory approvals in markets including India and China.

How many business jets and customers already use Viasat's JetXP or legacy services?

Viasat cites adoption on more than 5,000 business jets historically and over 2,100 current JetXP customers.