Viasat and Honeywell Answer the Call for a Superior In-Flight Wi-Fi Experience

Viasat and Honeywell are shaking up the business aviation universe once again with ground-breaking network enhancements and airtime service plans that deliver the one thing passengers value above all else – a consistently great overall experience.

“The Viasat 2024 business aviation in-flight connectivity survey found that reliability, coverage, consistency, value for money and overall experience – including white glove customer service and 24/7 global support – are the most important qualities to customers,” said Richard Pilock, Director of In-flight Connectivity for Honeywell, a value-added reseller of airtime service plans for Viasat and other airtime service providers.

In the run-up to the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in October, Viasat and Honeywell unveiled JetXP, an enhancement program that includes major improvements to selected airtime service plans.

“Current Viasat Jet ConneX subscribers through Honeywell will be among the first to benefit from features like uncapped speeds, expanded capacity and increased network prioritization,” Pilock said. “Viasat and Honeywell have worked together to provide significantly higher value plans at much improved market value rates. Customers can see as much as a 100% improvement in network performance at a significantly discounted monthly rate.”

It’s All About ‘Quality of Experience’

“Quality of Experience” is the watchword for this new slate of Viasat offerings, which are ready now for Honeywell Forge airtime services customers. With the addition of two new plans, customers can choose from nine Viasat service tiers, which feature up to 36-month price guarantees.

“What makes these plans unique is that customers can customize the experience they need to get the job done,” Pilock said. “This is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Customers have the ability to put together a customizable plan that works best for aircraft owners, operators and – most importantly – the passengers in the aircraft cabin.”

Honeywell Forge team members can help operators choose the right plan as part of a total connected aircraft solution. Honeywell provides a complete nose-to-tail solution that includes hardware, software, cabin connectivity services and airtime services.

Strengthening the customer experience is a dedicated Connectivity Support Team, led by Senior Director Curt Gray. “We have a global team of connectivity specialists available 24/7 to provide ‘high touch’ service and help customers make the most of their investment in satellite communications products and services,” he said. “We are there for our customers 100%, whenever they need help.”

Ready Now and Ready for the Future

The connected aircraft world continues to evolve. New satellite networks are due to come online soon, and new satellite communications systems will take satcom capabilities to new heights. The JetXP airtime service plans will accommodate new and legacy satcom hardware and constellations without the need to change hardware.

“Honeywell’s next generation JetWave X satellite communications system will enter service in 2025,” said Tamara Roberts, Director of Offering Management for JetWave. “It will be the first multi-network-ready satellite communications system and will connect seamlessly to the Inmarsat Global Xpress network, the current Viasat network, the new Viasat 3 network and a range of future Ka-band satellites.”

JetWave X is the latest iteration of Honeywell’s highly successful JetWave satcom family, now flying on over 2,000 business aviation aircraft worldwide. Building off of the quality and consistency of Jetwave, JetwaveX will feature groundbreaking speed and unprecedented levels of consistency made possible by its ability to shift seamlessly and automatically between available Ka-band networks to take advantage of better connections or more favorable data rates.

“With download speeds up to 200 Mbps in busy flight corridors, JetWave X delivers even more consistency and reliability passengers love,” Roberts said. “Together, JetWave X and JetXP will help fulfill the potential of in-flight Wi-Fi by creating a true office or living room in the sky experience for business jet passengers.”

For more information on Honeywell connected aircraft solutions – including airtime services – contact your Honeywell representative or visit us online.