Airbus graphic of its HBCplus program. Photo: Airbus

Airbus signed two new airline deals for its HBCplus program for in-flight connectivity (IFC), along with a new MoU to add Telesat Lightspeed to the program, the company announced Monday during the Apex Expo trade show in Los Angeles. 

HBCplus is a flexible IFC solution that lets airlines connect with selected managed service providers and line-fit new aircraft or retrofit aircraft with certified terminals and radomes. Customers get a data routing plan for IFC service, and Airbus manages system installation in line and retrofit, as well as service support.

Telesat signed an MoU with Airbus to work together to integrate the Lightspeed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) network into the Airbus HBCplus Ka-band solution portfolio. Airbus and Telesat agreed to work together to address user terminal integration for HBCplus installations. 

“The integration of the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network within the Airbus HBCplus solution will perfectly complement our current MEO & GEO offer,” commented Tim Sommer, head of Connected aircraft at Airbus. “This partnership is a great opportunity to answer to the emerging demand for low latency connectivity, but also to contribute towards our multi-orbit strategy for global coverage.”

Separately, Airbus announced on Monday that Thai Airways International will equip its 12 new A321LRs with the HBCplus Ka-band system. These aircraft are due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025. In addition, Turkish Airlines has chosen HBCplus to equip 14 new A350 family aircraft. To date, 13 airlines have now selected HBCplus.

For both these airline contracts, the related hardware, including the Thinkom Ka-band antenna, will be integrated and provided by Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI). Both customers have selected SES’s Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) Ka-band offering. The service will be delivered by SES along with its Open Orbits connectivity service partner, Neo Space Group (NSG).