At Aircraft Interiors Expo, Viasat announced its next-generation solution for commercial aviation, Viasat Amara.
Powering the new In-Flight Communication (IFC) solution are innovations in core-satellite network design, hardware advancements, and a suite of digital products These are enhanced with smart network enhancements and application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits, Viasat Amara is designed with powerful scalability so airlines can differentiate a future-proof onboard passenger experience.
Viasat Amara offers optimized, multi-network connectivity today via a simple software upgrade with Viasat’s proven terminal, which is deployed on more than 3,000 aircraft around the world servicing approximately 10,000 flights per day. For airlines, there will be a very bright point – as no additional hardware is required for the deployment of Amara.
As part of its forward-looking terminal roadmap, Viasat is also announcing a proprietary electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, Viasat Aera. This will unlock simultaneous, dual-beam connections across satellites in GEO, HEO, and LEO, enabling a best-in-class IFC experience for airlines and their passengers with a single antenna.
The new terminal is under development and is devised to dynamically adapt connectivity in a way that capitalizes on the strengths of all available transmission assets, delivering a streamlined experience for each application in use across the global network.
The new Viasat Aera terminal is expected to enter commercial service in 2028. Upgrading to the new Viasat Aera terminal is designed to be achieved in less than a day by re-using the ARINC 791 antenna attach points with no change to the in-cabin network.
On Viasat Amara’s roadmap are innovations that unlock opportunities in every orbit, with GEO, HEO, and LEO satellite compatibility, by integrating a robust, high-capacity ecosystem of Viasat and partner satellites. This includes the recently announced LEO Ka-band capacity from Telesat Lightspeed.
In Quotes
Don Buchman, SVP & GM, Global Commercial Aviation, Viasat.
“Viasat Amara goes far beyond fast and free high-speed Wi-Fi,”
“It’s a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the unique needs of each airline and every individual user – and in real-time across a smart multi-orbit network. Our pioneering mission remains to help our airline customers maximize connectivity’s enormous potential for brand, loyalty, and growth.”
Meherwan Polad, SVP & CCO, Viasat Commercial Services.
“Viasat Amara will help our airline customers achieve their greatest ambitions – creating long-lasting competitive advantage and meaningful passenger experiences and loyalty,” added
“Airlines can truly take hold of the differentiating opportunities that in-flight connectivity presents. The monetization and brand boosting opportunities provided by our powerful digital products, such as Viasat Ads, accentuate this even further. Amara will forever change what connectivity brings to airlines and their passengers – and we’re excited to work alongside our airline partners to realize their unique goals.”
We’ll be going in deep with Viasat later this week – so stick around for our insights on what they are offering – with multi-orbit systems becoming more important than ever, this could be an important move.
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