Hughes Network Systems announced that Air India has selected the Hughes In-Flight connectivity solution to deliver a consistent Wi-Fi experience using a common connectivity platform across its mixed widebody fleet.
Hughes will leverage Airbus HBCplus for A350-1000 aircraft and the RAVE Aerospace solution for Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The current selection applies to an initial tranche of existing and new widebody aircraft in the Air India fleet.
Hughes In-Flight Connectivity delivers committed performance and flexible business models designed to scale as passenger usage patterns evolve. With global coverage and multi-orbit connectivity, Air India can standardise plans, pricing, entitlements, and promotions while still tailoring offers by route, cabin, or customer segment. This approach supports a consistent customer journey as onboard connectivity becomes a core part of the airline’s brand and loyalty strategy.
Beyond passenger connectivity, the solution will improve operational efficiency by enabling aircraft monitoring, crew applications, payment validation, and flight-deck services. Air India’s deployment uses the Hughes JUPITER Ka-band fabric and preserves a consistent onboard experience and common operational toolset across both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
This solution from Hughes has a roadmap to low-latency LEO capability.
In Quotes
Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Air India, said:
“Always-on broadband Internet connectivity is a fundamental expectation of today’s digitally savvy consumers. Our strategic vision is to provide connectivity with home-broadband like bandwidth and latency on Air India’s international and domestic flights so that connecting from our flights feels the same as connecting from home”
He added
“In this journey, we are pleased to partner with Hughes as their global launch customer to offer an in-flight connectivity service that takes into account the existing regulatory considerations and satellite coverage capabilities along the global flight paths of our wide body aircraft, with a roadmap to seamlessly upgrade to home-broadband levels within the next two years.”
Ramesh Ramaswamy, Executive Vice President at Hughes Network Systems, said:
“At Hughes, we are committed to advancing in-flight connectivity that empowers airlines like Air India, a leader in digital capabilities in the airline industry, to deliver seamless digital experiences for their passengers,”
“Our innovative platform not only enhances passenger experience but also drives operational excellence, positioning Air India to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”
Reza Rasoulian, SVP and GM of the Aviation Business Unit at Hughes, added:
“Hughes is honored to partner with Air India as the airline modernizes connectivity across its widebody fleet,”
“With Hughes In-Flight Connectivity, Air India can deliver a consistent, connected onboard digital experience across both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. This common solution allows Air India to harmonize their passenger experience, operational tools, deploy digital services faster across their fleet, and has a roadmap pole-to-pole, low-latency LEO connectivity with minimal aircraft modifications.”
Kevin was a guest of Hughes at AIX.
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