Airbus has been selected by Delta Air Lines to equip its 20 A350-1000s on order, with Airbus’ HBCplus.
In doing so, the airline became Airbus’s first North American customer of its linefit offering.
Airbus will work with Delta and Hughes to equip Delta’s A350-1000s with the multi-orbit in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution, co-developed by Delta and Hughes, and using Airbus’ HBCplus as the foundation for the aircraft integration.
This solution is using HBCplus equipment and Hughes’ “Fusion” IFC product.
For the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) portion of Fusion, Airbus will support Delta in the post-delivery modifications to complement the line-fit installation with an electronically steered array (ESA) antenna.
Further building on this relationship and looking to the future, Airbus and Delta have agreed to explore the new HBCplus “modular” approach and its integration with the Delta Sync platform.
In Quotes
Joseph Eddy, Delta Air Lines, Director – Cabin Programmes, said:
“Leveraging Airbus’ industry leading systems integration and engineering capabilities, to integrate our Hughes’ multi-orbit IFC solution, is a natural partnership that is already bringing real value to our delivery streams.”
Reza Rasoulian, SVP and GM of the Aviation Business Unit at Hughes, said:
“Hughes is pleased to be included in this project. As a member of the Airbus HBCplus programme, Hughes delivers a multi-orbit in-flight connectivity solution.” He added: “We look forward to our Hughes Fusion IFC technology elevating the passenger experience aboard Delta’s A350-1000 fleet, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity from gate to gate.”
Tim Sommer, Airbus VP, Head of Connected Aircraft Programme, said:
“Connectivity is at the heart of passenger expectations today, as well as a key enabler to improving aircraft operations. This project is the epitome of our long-time relationship with Delta Air Lines, and a great example of industrial collaboration.”
Movement in HCBplus
HBCplus is Airbus’ flexible high-bandwidth satellite connectivity solution offered as a line-fit catalogue option and also for retrofit on all Airbus aircraft programmes. HBCplus enables airlines to connect to a choice of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) via a certified terminal and radome built as part of the aircraft.
HBCplus “modular” is the next-generation HBCplus, which can accommodate up to two antennas and connect to multiple satellite systems, giving airlines the flexibility to choose and update their vendor with an overnight retrofit.
We’ll have more on HBCplus, Modular and use cases in our post-show coverage.
Kevin was a guest of Airbus SAS at Aircraft Interiors Expo.
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