Airbus A350XWB seats. Photo: Airbus

[Via Satellite 09-22-2014] Honeywell Aerospace has announced a collaborative initiative with Thales to create a joint In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) service using Ka-band Global Xpress (GX) capacity. The companies plan to integrate Honeywell JetWave hardware into Thales cabin network solutions, starting with the Airbus A350XWB and expanding to other aircraft.

Honeywell intends to provide up to 50 Mbps broadband speeds through Thales cabin network solutions starting in 2015. Thales will also offer the option of including Honeywell’s JetWave hardware in new and existing Airbus aircraft. Honeywell has the right to manufacture onboard hardware that connects to the GX Aviation network through an exclusive 2012 agreement with Inmarsat.