Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Viasat and Honeywell prove fastest L-band business aviation connectivity service

Aerospace Space

Viasat and Honeywell prove fastest L-band business aviation connectivity service

Honeywell and Viasat today announced the success of recent over-the-air and flight testing for SwiftJet, Viasat’s fastest ever L-band connectivity service for the business aviation industry, enabled through a simple Honeywell terminal upgrade.

Image courtesy Inmarsat / Viasat

The testing successfully demonstrated four channel aggregation over Viasat’s satellites and radio access network (RAN) by using the Honeywell HD-710 multichannel satellite communications solution to achieve stable, optimal data transmission speeds for Viasat’s SwiftJet service.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Throughout the testing period, performance was consistently robust and reliable, including through spot beam transitions that maximize the available frequency of satellite transmissions by concentrating a satellite signal over a limited geographic area on Earth. SwiftJet met performance expectations both while in flight and while transitioning spot beams across the global footprint of Viasat’s L-band satellite network.

SwiftJet will enter commercial service later this year, offering seamless global coverage and ensuring passengers can stay connected with colleagues, friends and family wherever they fly. SwiftJet will provide passengers with the ability to communicate over email, text and video calls, browse the internet and enjoy streaming services while in-flight.

“SwiftJet’s results represent a major leap forward for L-band connectivity. Honeywell and Viasat have now proven the technology from end-to-end across the satellite network, giving our customers confidence to proceed with SwiftJet commercial deployment and entry into service by the end of the year,” said Mark Goodman, Sr. Director of Product Management, Honeywell Aerospace. “Existing customers of Viasat’s SwiftBroadband connectivity service will benefit from SwiftJet’s advanced speeds by making an easy and straightforward upgrade to their existing Honeywell L-band terminal, without having to change any wiring or antenna hardware.”

“SwiftJet has rewritten the rules of what’s possible with L-band connectivity for business aviation. It has unlocked previously unachievable capabilities so passengers can stay in touch, in control and entertained, wherever they fly, from the busiest airspace to the most remote locations,” said Melinda Janda, Vice President of Business Aviation Commercial Strategy, Viasat. “We’re delighted with the results of recent testing, which proved we can even stream high-definition videos and conduct video calls. These positive results not only bring us one step closer to SwiftJet’s entry into service but also underscore Viasat and Honeywell’s shared commitment to increase the capability of our customer’s hardware after they’ve invested in our solutions.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

SwiftJet has been engineered for today’s applications that demand faster connection speeds, combined with L-band’s characteristic resilience, security and high availability. It will offer maximum speeds of 2.6 Mbps, up to six times faster than Viasat’s existing L-band business aviation connectivity service, SwiftBroadband, through an upgrade to Honeywell's existing terminals, including the HD-710, HSD-440, HSD-400, and Aspire 400. These terminals are commonly found on Gulfstream, Dassault, and Embraer platforms. SwiftJet is also available as a new installation, following a similarly quick and convenient process as all Honeywell L-band terminals.

The increased connection speeds enabled by SwiftJet will be available on monthly data plans. The operator does not need to lease capacity and does not need to pay per minute of use. The service and Honeywell L-band terminal upgrades are available for purchase now. New terminals will start shipping in Q4 2024 and a return to factory service bulletin will be available for purchase starting in Q4 2024.

The significant connectivity milestone achieved through the L-band terminal upgrade also underscores Honeywell’s alignment of its portfolio around three powerful megatrends that include the future of aviation.

Advertisement
PTC PTC
IATA sees rising passenger and cargo growth in May

Aerospace

IATA sees rising passenger and cargo growth in May

30 June 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2025 that revealed global passenger demand was up by 5% and global air cargo demand grew by 2.2%.

ECT Aviation acquires its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander

Aerospace

ECT Aviation acquires its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander

30 June 2025

Republic of Ireland based ECT Aviation has acquired its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander aircraft, expanding its operations into dedicated cargo services between Europe and North Africa.

IBA predicts more large orders of aircraft in 2025

Aerospace

IBA predicts more large orders of aircraft in 2025

30 June 2025

Despite the Air India tragedy and a range of economic and political factors impacting the aviation industry, reflected by a subdued level of orders at this year's Paris Air Show, aviation intelligence and advisory company IBA predicts that a range of major airlines are set to place additional aircraft orders.

Qantas takes delivery of its first A321XLR

Aerospace

Qantas takes delivery of its first A321XLR

30 June 2025

Australia's Qantas Airways is set to become the Asia-Pacific launch operator of the latest generation single aisle A321XLR following the delivery of its first aircraft from the Airbus assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Syensqo and Terma strengthen partnership

Aerospace Defence Security

Syensqo and Terma strengthen partnership

30 June 2025

Advanced materials specialist Syensqo and Terma, provider of mission-critical solutions in aerospace, defence and security, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to develop joint initiatives in composites for next-generation aerospace and defence applications.

Windracers establishes operational hub in Malawi

Aerospace Security

Windracers establishes operational hub in Malawi

27 June 2025

Windracers, the UK-based designer, manufacturer and operator of Windracers ULTRA - an autonomous heavy-lift cargo aircraft - has begun establishing an operational base at Kasungu Airfield in Malawi.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025