Connectivity update: Airbus marks further HBCplus rollout progress at the APEX Expo 2024

At the APEX Expo in Long Beach (28 October 2024) Airbus revealed further progress in the rollout of HBCplus, its flexible multi-orbit line-fit and retrofit satellite connectivity platform. This progress includes the addition of two new airline customers. HBCplus will allow their passengers to enjoy a seamless high-bandwidth on-board connectivity experience. Airbus’ progress also includes further expansion of its satellite network provider partnerships.

Thai Airways International will equip its 12 new A321LRs with the HBCplus Ka system. These aircraft are due to be delivered in Q4 2025. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has chosen HBCplus to equip 14 new A350 Family aircraft. To date, 13 airlines have now selected HBCplus.

On the photo, from left to right: Tim Sommer, Head Of Connected Aircraft, Airbus and Captain Wirush Theparak, Head of Customer Experience and Product for Thai Airways International.

Tim Sommer, VP Head of Connected Aircraft Programme at Airbus said: “We are delighted to welcome our new customers for Airbus' HBCplus connectivity platform. These latest selections further validate the airlines’ demand for flexible connectivity solutions.”

For both these airline contracts, the related hardware, including the Thinkom Ka-band antenna, is integrated and provided by Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI). To complement these selections, both customers have chosen SES’s MEO + GEO Ka-band offering from the HBCplus MSP catalogue. As confirmed by SES, the service will be delivered by SES along with one of its key SES “Open Orbits” connectivity service partners, Neo Space Group (NSG).

Enhanced multi-orbit flexibility coming to HBCplus
A new Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Telesat as a Ka band/LEO satellite network operator (SNO). To this end, Airbus and Telesat will explore enabling HBCplus MSPs’ own services to also harness Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) coverage – complementing GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) and MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) connectivity on the same Ka-band equipped aircraft.

As the entry into service draws closer, the first customer aircraft – fitted with HBCplus – are nearing final completion and subsequent delivery from the Airbus final assembly lines.