Earlier this year, during the SATELLITE 2025 conference and exhibition in Washington D.C., Panasonic Avionics revealed to Runway Girl Network that it was open to augmenting its current Ku-band geostationary (GEO) satellite-based inflight connectivity solution with a Low Earth Orbit-only antenna system to power multi-orbit IFC inclusive of Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO service.

Now, the inflight entertainment and connectivity giant has announced plans to bring Intellian Technologies’ LEO-only flat panel terminal to its customers, either in standalone form or as an augment to its existing GEO-focused gimbaled antenna system. Intellian first debuted its phased array line of flat panel antennas at the 2022 SATELLITE convention. But its partnership with Panasonic represents the firm’s foray into the aviation sector.

The LEO-only antenna terminal, which can be installed on aircraft in a single overnight, seamlessly integrates the modem and controller into a design that requires no radome, explains Panasonic in a statement. It will deliver speeds of “up to 195 Mbps and less than 100 milliseconds of latency” over the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO network. (All aero modems for Eutelsat OneWeb’s service are manufactured by Hughes Network Systems.)

At launch, the antenna will be available to Panasonic Avionics’ current and new airline customers for retrofit installations beginning in late 2026.

“Our new terminal system is a game-changer for airlines. It blends best-in-class performance with unmatched resiliency and the reliability our customers expect. I firmly believe that this blend of price point and performance specifications, unmatched by any other provider, will fundamentally change the way airlines use in-flight connectivity,” says John Wade, vice president of connectivity at Panasonic Avionics.

He adds:

I expect many airlines to adopt a multi-terminal approach, and, with Panasonic Avionics, they can quickly and affordably add this terminal to any connectivity-equipped aircraft to immediately offer multi-orbit capabilities. This approach will not only improve passenger satisfaction, drive net promoter scores, enhance loyalty and increase revenue, it also will deliver the peace of mind our airline customers expect from a connectivity solution that is cost-effective, resilient and eliminates ‘dark flights’.

For Intellian, the arrangement with Panasonic and entrance into aviation “marks a natural and strategic extension of our portfolio,” says Intellian CEO Eric Sung in a statement.

“Together, we are introducing a solution that will redefine inflight connectivity, combining our proven expertise with Panasonic’s leadership to deliver unmatched value and performance for airlines worldwide.”

In addition to its legacy gimbaled Ku-band terminal, Panasonic is offering a multi-orbit ESA solution based on Gilat’s Stellar Blu ESA. It has already won at least three customers for the multi-orbit offering, including Discover Airlines.

Having a LEO-only option for airlines is smart, especially for operators that want to avail of multi-orbit GEO/LEO connectivity and its inherent benefits (including resiliency) but do not want to rip-and-replace their GEO-based gimbaled system.

And indeed, Panasonic calls this latest Intellian product a ‘complement’ to its existing multi-orbit Gilat ESA solution, though it notes that the kit “is less than half the weight of typical multi-orbit and GEO terminals, helping airlines achieve their sustainability goals by reducing fuel burn.”

“T]he new terminal system delivers a superior ownership experience for airlines. It offers self-service control of connectivity through Panasonic Avionics’ Wi-Fi Portal Studio and Wi-Fi Reporting,” says the firm.

“The terminal system can also be combined with Panasonic Avionics’ Wi-Fi Roaming agreements and OneMedia Advertising solutions, which can increase service adoption, reduce airline operational costs of delivering Wi-Fi service, and enable attractive passenger amenities such as free IFC.”

Related Articles:

• Discover Airlines pivots from GEO to LEO/GEO with Panasonic on A330s
• Panasonic flight tests Sidewinder and Eutelsat OneWeb LEO
• Panasonic, Airbus discuss possible interim solution for Ku HBCplus
• Gilat wins $60 million order for ESAs as Boeing linefit installs near

Featured image credited to Panasonic Avionics