Viasat enjoys solid growth in in-flight connectivity

By August 16, 2018 May 19th, 2020 Featured, IFEC

Viasat has announced positive first quarter fiscal year 2019 results, including growth in in-flight connectivity revenue.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, Viasat delivered double the volume of its next-generation IFC systems for commercial aircraft as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, which brought total next-generation IFC system installations to around 200 aircraft across eight commercial airlines.

New contract awards rose 170% versus the same period last year, generating a segment book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 and a backlog which is at a three-year record high.

At the close of the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, 757 commercial aircraft were in service using Viasat’s IFC systems, an increase of 122 commercial planes as compared to the end of fiscal year 2018. The Company also expects to install its IFC systems on an additional 854 commercial aircraft under existing contracts – which does not include additional orders obtained subsequent to the close of the first quarter.

Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, Viasat expanded its relationship with American Airlines and was selected to outfit 100 new American Airlines Airbus A321neo aircraft with its IFC and Wi-Fi entertainment systems. Viasat will also provide logistics support and network monitoring for its systems on these aircraft. Delivery of these airplanes is expected to begin in early 2019.

Viasat’s best-in-class in-flight Wi-Fi service continued to see increased market demand with airline partners gaining in scale and reach. Usage expanded to more than 3,000 commercial flights per day, and personal electronic device internet sessions approached 5 million per quarter.

During this period, SAS became the first Nordic airline to launch high-speed, high-quality in-flight Wi-Fi using Viasat’s IFC systems. Embraer also became the first original equipment manufacturer to select Viasat’s next-generation business aviation IFC solution for its Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets. This agreement marked the first Ka-band IFC line-fit selection for a medium cabin business jet.

Viasat has also began testing service on the ViaSat-2 mobility network and successfully completed flights through the Caribbean to the coast of South America and across the Atlantic Ocean.


Written by: Alexander Preston

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