Skylink Advisory
Inflight Connectivity PipelineNo. 11 · October 2026
Inflight Connectivity Pipeline · GlobalData to 30 September 2026
Low earth orbit now holds 60 per cent of the pipeline
Five airlines committed 426 aircraft to connectivity programmes in September, four of them to low earth orbit systems. Retrofit starts peak in the first quarter of 2027
1The pipeline by stage
We count 7,740 commercial aircraft that an airline has committed to a connectivity system but that are not yet flying with it. Just over half are at selection only. North America has the most aircraft at every stage, and the largest share already certified.1
| Region | Selected | Certified | Scheduled | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 1,240 | 860 | 610 | 2,710 |
| Europe | 980 | 540 | 420 | 1,940 |
| Asia Pacific | 1,110 | 470 | 300 | 1,880 |
| Middle East and Africa | 360 | 210 | 150 | 720 |
| Latin America | 290 | 120 | 80 | 490 |
| Global | 3,980 | 2,200 | 1,560 | 7,740 |
Source: airline announcements and annual reports, FAA and EASA supplemental type certificate records, FCC filings, Skylink Advisory estimates
Source: airline announcements and annual reports, FAA and EASA supplemental type certificate records, FCC filings, Skylink Advisory estimates
Low earth orbit systems overtook geostationary Ka band in January and have added an average of 228 aircraft a month since. The geostationary pipeline is shrinking because installations are completing faster than airlines are selecting new geostationary programmes.
2Selections and certifications in September
Five announcements in September moved 426 aircraft into or along the pipeline. The largest was a European network carrier's selection for its narrowbody fleet, which replaces a geostationary contract that expires in 2028.2
| Airline | Fleet | Aircraft | System | Stage reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European network carrier | A320 family | 140 | Low earth orbit | Selected |
| Gulf carrier | 787 and A350 | 96 | Low earth orbit | Certified |
| North American regional | E175 | 85 | Ka band | Scheduled |
| Asian low cost carrier | A321neo | 60 | Low earth orbit | Selected |
| Latin American carrier | 737 MAX | 45 | Low earth orbit | Selected |
Source: airline announcements, FAA and EASA certificate records, September 2026
3When retrofits start
Airlines have set retrofit dates for 1,560 aircraft. Starts are concentrated in the first half of 2027, when most carriers plan heavy maintenance visits outside the summer peak.
Source: airline announcements and annual reports, FAA and EASA supplemental type certificate records, FCC filings, Skylink Advisory estimates
4Against the Connected Fleet Census
5What to watch in November
Supplemental type certificates expected for two low earth orbit systems on widebody types, the first fourth quarter retrofit starts, and whether airlines with geostationary contracts expiring in 2027 announce renewals or switch systems.
How this pipeline is built
- An aircraft enters the pipeline on a public selection by its operator and leaves when the Census records it as installed
- Each aircraft is counted once, at its most advanced stage
- Every entry traces to an announcement, filing or certificate record held on file for subscribers who ask
Approved for subscribersImogen HartleyHead of Connectivity Research · 9 October 2026
1 Selected means a public commitment by the airline. Certified means a supplemental type certificate has been granted for that system on that aircraft type. Scheduled means retrofit dates have been set.
2 Aircraft counts are those named in the announcement. Where an airline gives a range, we count the lower figure.