16/4/2025 London, UK The market for in-flight connectivity (IFC) in business aviation is on the cusp of a major transformation, with a new generation of tech-savvy passengers redefining what a premium connectivity experience should look like. For those who’ve grown up always connected, seamless video calls, online gaming, and even live trading are becoming must-haves.…
Introducing Valour Consultancy’s second edition of The Future of In-Seat Power. This 2025 update offers insights into the dynamic in-seat power milieu, while also including an in-depth analysis of the market. In-seat power has become less a halo and more a hygiene product as airlines and passengers deepen their dependence upon personal electronic devices (PEDs).…
Did you know that Valour Consultancy produces a tracker database on the in-flight connectivity (IFC) and in-flight entertainment (IFE) markets? We’ve done so pretty much since our formation back in 2012 and today it underpins the work we and our clients do in these areas, most notably our flagship annual reports. Previously, both data sets…
Do you remember the story of the olive? Nearly 40 years ago, American Airlines decided it needed to find some cost savings. The drive behind the endeavour was the belief that small changes could lead to big cost savings. Following some internal research, the airline discovered that it was experiencing some wastage in its in-flight…
November 21, 2024, 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) London. According to a new report from Valour Consultancy, the push for airlines to digitalise onboard services will drive the growth of wireless IFE (W-IFE) services to in excess of 17,000 equipped aircraft by the end of 2033 – up from around 10,000 today. The report, “The…
Craig Foster & Summer Staninski (published Oct 2024) In a recent blog, we examined the collapse of SmartSky Networks and speculated on how other aviation players might react to the fast-advancing Starlink. Now, just weeks later, long-time SmartSky adversary, Gogo, has announced its acquisition of Satcom Direct, confirming predictions of further industry consolidation. In this…
United Airlines has announced it will be transitioning its entire fleet of more than 900 narrowbody and widebody aircraft to Starlink’s IFC service, with initial tests scheduled to begin in 2025. United’s fleet is currently served by a number of different providers including Viasat, Panasonic Avionics (PAC), Intelsat, and Thales. The deal is clearly a…
Daniel Welch & Summer Staninski On Friday August 16th 2024, SmartSky Networks announced it had ceased operations with immediate effect, bringing the curtain down on a thirteen year journey in the world of In-Flight Connectivity (IFC). Armed with 60Mhz of unlicensed spectrum which would be dedicated to IFC and patented beam-forming technology, the company set…
European satellite operator, SES, has announced its plans to acquire the U.S. satellite operator and service provider, Intelsat, in a $3.1bn takeover. The move comes after provisional discussions over a merger ended in the summer of 2023. In this article, Valour Consultancy examines what this means in the context of major mobility verticals. Commercial…
To supplement our in-depth annual deep dive into the in-flight connectivity (IFC) and in-flight entertainment (IFE) markets, Valour currently produces two tracker databases designed to keep those with a vested interest in the IFEC arena updated on installation activity and emerging trends. Recognising the growing link between these two markets, the production of the Q1…
18/01/2024 London ‘The Future of In-Flight Entertainment Content – 2024’ is Valour Consultancy’s latest report and provides a timely overview of key developments that have occurred across the IFE content licensing landscape since 2020. Overall, the market has experienced a strong recovery in the post-COVID era, with content licensing revenues reaching over $U.S. 300 million…
Delta Air Lines has announced that it has partnered with Hughes Network Systems to transition more than 320 of its regional jets – in addition to around 80 narrowbodies – from air to ground (ATG) connectivity to Hughes’ new satcom-powered Jupiter in-flight connectivity (IFC) service. Installations are scheduled to take place across 2024 and 2025.…