SES helps APAC airlines meet rising passenger expectations with high-performance, multi-orbit inflight connectivity across fleets and borders.
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The appetite for streaming video and mobile data consumption on personal devices across the Asia-Pacific region is insatiable.
According to a recent Ericsson Mobility Report, monthly smartphone consumption in China is 9% higher than the global average. Mobile device users in India, Nepal, and Bhutan consume an average of 37 GB of mobile data per month, nearly 70% more than users worldwide. In the Philippines, users spend more than 11 hours per week watching content on TikTok and Reels, exceeding global average viewing times by nearly 70%.
Consumers across the region expect to have their content consumption needs met no matter where they are – including in the air. On commercial flights, business and leisure passengers alike want to use their personal devices to stream videos, browse social media, and remain connected throughout their journeys. Consequently, airlines in the region are quickly recognizing that basic internet access, simple messaging, or even seat-back entertainment is no longer sufficient.
As passengers increasingly come to expect an at-home connectivity experience in the sky centered on their personal devices, airlines operating across APAC should ensure the following considerations are top of mind as they evaluate their inflight connectivity strategies:
Growing demand for Free Wi-Fi requires a multi-orbit satellite network
Increasingly, APAC airline passengers believe Wi-Fi on airplanes should be free, as it often is in hotels, shopping, malls, conference centers, and even in airports. In Japan, free Wi-Fi onboard bullet trains has indirectly pressured airlines to offer the same on domestic flights. As more airlines oblige, greater numbers of passengers are engaging with the network, increasing the strain on IFC systems not equipped to handle high volumes of traffic. Overcoming this challenge requires a multi-orbit satellite solution. Access to low latency low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and high-capacity geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites in a single solution enables airlines to deliver uninterrupted connectivity throughout the duration of the flight, even as free Wi-Fi drives substantial increases in user sessions and data traffic.
Extending premium inflight connectivity across every aircraft
It’s no longer viable for airlines to connect only their long-range aircraft. Commercial passengers today expect the plane they board to offer high-performing connectivity regardless of destination, flight duration, or aircraft type. To ensure an experience consistent with brand standards, international carriers need to extend high-performing Wi-Fi across the entirety of their fleets, including narrow-body aircraft used on shorter, higher-frequency routes. For regional and commuter airlines, advanced connectivity can help deliver onboard digital experiences comparable to those offered by larger international carriers, enabling them to remain competitive as these airlines increasingly expand service into smaller, secondary markets.
Ensuring connectivity continuity across borders
The APAC commercial aviation environment is complex and fragmented. Countries have different rules governing how inflight connectivity services can be delivered within their airspace. China, for example, requires all data traffic transmitted within its airspace to be routed through a ground gateway located within the country and prohibits the use of non-Chinese owned LEO networks. This is another reason why a multi-orbit satellite network needs to be an essential component of any airline’s connectivity strategy. With access to both LEO and GEO and seamless network switching, airlines can continue operating across all APAC countries and remain in compliance with the multitude of varying regulations without sacrificing service continuity or passenger experience.
SES technology, expertise, and partnership deliver next-generation connectivity for APAC’s commercial airlines
SES offers any airline operating throughout Asia-Pacific the ability to deliver high-performance inflight connectivity that elevates passenger satisfaction and builds loyalty. SES’s multi-orbit satellite network delivers consistently high-quality connectivity experiences across all routes and countries, even as more passengers stream video simultaneously and access bandwidth-heavy applications on their personal devices.
Through its unique and differentiated partnership approach, SES delivers tailored IFC solutions that meet the operational and commercial requirements of airlines of all sizes, from international carriers like Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Thai Airways to smaller operators like Royal Brunei Airlines. SES works directly with its airline partners and aircraft manufacturers to develop and implement solutions customized for their fleets, budgets, and respective business objectives.
With airlines absorbing the costs for offering free Wi-Fi, SES also helps its customers and partners develop and implement revenue-generating strategies to monetize in-flight connectivity investments through co-branded advertising campaigns, loyalty programs, and third-party partnerships.
With the right combination of network technology, engineering expertise, and regional experience, SES is the ideal IFC solution provider for any Asia-Pacific airline seeking to elevate passenger experience, expand connectivity across their fleets, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
