Immfly, Eutelsat OneWeb & Gogo team up to tailor LEO connectivity for LCC/ULCC fleets
January 23, 2026
Immfly, the Barcelona-based in-flight connectivity and digital services specialist, announced a new partnership with Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO (low earth orbit) satellite network and Gogo’s next-generation electronically steered antenna (ESA) to bring high-speed broadband to narrowbody aircraft operated by low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers (LCCs/ULCCs) worldwide.
The initiative directly targets the connectivity gap that has left many budget airline fleets offline or reliant on basic service tiers, even as passenger demand for internet access grows.
LEO in-flight connectivity tailored for budget airlines
The partners have positioned the solution as a cost-effective, lightweight, and rapidly deployable LEO broadband platform developed to meet the economic realities and fleet utilisation requirements of narrowbody budget operators.
The integrated platform combines:
- Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband services, which deliver lower latency and ground-like speeds.
- Gogo’s electronically steered antenna (ESA), which is designed for minimal aerodynamic drag and rapid installation.
- Immfly’s “Equilux Aero” onboard connectivity server to manage passenger access, data flows, and commercial engagement.
Combined, the package supports full broadband service activations in as little as 24–30 hours, significantly reducing aircraft downtime and installation complexity compared with many traditional satellite in-flight connectivity systems.
Partnering to make in-flight connectivity attractive to LCCs and ULCCs
“This initiative marks a turning point for the LCC/ULCC industry,” said Jimmy M. von Korff, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Immfly.
“Narrowbody aircraft remain disconnected, and we’re bringing them into the digital era through Eutelsat’s OneWeb high-speed LEO connectivity services and Gogo ESA hardware – enabling ancillary revenue growth, streamlining operations, and providing passengers with connectivity on par with their ground experiences.”
Colin Quarless, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Gogo, said the company is “developing products and services that support aircraft of all sizes,” including high-density commercial narrowbody aircraft, connecting the Immfly hardware onboard with the OneWeb constellation in orbit.
Claire Gombault, Director of Commercial Aviation for Eutelsat, said of the partnership, “Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation is bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to fleets long underserved by in-flight broadband. Together with Immfly and Gogo, we’re transforming the passenger experience while creating new opportunities to generate onboard revenue.”
Why LCCs/ULCCs have lagged on in-flight WiFi
The Moment In-flight Connectivity Benchmark 2025, which analysed 106 airlines globally, finds that connectivity adoption has become mainstream but still lags significantly among budget carriers. Overall, around 70% of airlines now offer onboard WiFi, as connectivity evolves from an optional amenity to a core service expectation.
However, there is a notable gap between airline business models:
- 89% of legacy carriers now provide in-flight Wi-Fi;
- Among budget airlines, only about 43% have adopted onboard connectivity, meaning a majority — roughly 57% — remain unconnected.
The gap can be attributed to the economic challenges of installing in-flight connectivity for LCCs/ULCCs; installation costs, aircraft downtime, and narrow margins have dampened investment, even as passenger expectations for in-flight WiFi rise.
Monetisation of the service is also a challenge. While full-service carriers have opted to offer free in-flight WiFi to customers, often in exchange for joining their loyalty programs, this model doesn’t work for low-cost airlines, which rely on ancillary revenue to offset their lower fares.
Paid WiFi uptake among passengers is low, with only 5%-10% buying access to in-flight connectivity. However, there are additional revenue opportunities through advertising and retail, which Immfly’s Equinox Aero and similar services can support.
OneWeb vs Starlink: comparing LEO satellite constellations
As the race to deploy LEO satellite broadband intensifies, SpaceX’s Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb have two distinct approaches to building global networks:
Constellation size and coverage
- Starlink has deployed one of the largest LEO satellite constellations in history, operating thousands of satellites — approximately 7,000 in orbit — and plans to add tens of thousands more to extend capacity, resilience, and global coverage.
- OneWeb, now part of Eutelsat’s portfolio, operates a smaller constellation — several hundred satellites (634–648) — positioned in higher LEO orbits to provide global coverage with fewer satellites.
Orbital altitude and performance
- Starlink satellites orbit at lower altitudes (550 km), which helps reduce latency and enables faster round-trip broadband performance (25–60 ms), though coverage depends on having multiple satellites overhead.
- OneWeb’s constellation orbits at a higher altitude (1,200 km), which can lead to slightly higher latency (sub-100 ms) but broader coverage per satellite and potentially smoother coverage transitions for mobility applications like aviation.
Market focus
- Starlink has focused on consumer and enterprise access, including home broadband, maritime, aviation, and mobile services, and built a high-visibility, high-volume network with widespread brand recognition.
- OneWeb’s strategy has centred on enterprise, governmental, and specialised mobility markets, such as aviation, maritime, and critical infrastructure, often in partnership with systems integrators and service providers.
For each of the two competing LEO constellations, there are trade-offs in airline IFC deployment, but both offer quality broadband connectivity to passengers.
Can an LCC/ULCC focus help OneWeb and partners outperform Starlink?
LCCs and ULCCs are more likely to be attracted to solutions that cost less to install and maintain and that have a business plan in place to generate revenue. Starlink has gained access to airspace with major carriers by leveraging its terminals for in-flight WiFi, with strong broadband connections enabled by the network’s extensive satellite coverage.
However, Starlink has met resistance from at least one major LCC — Ryanair. The European low-cost giant rejected Starlink, citing concerns that the external antennas would incur aerodynamic drag and significant fuel costs. This snub sparked a very public online feud between CEO Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk, diverting attention from a practical reality: not all airline business models view in-flight connectivity investment the same way.
The Immfly-OneWeb-Gogo solution aims to provide a lighter, LCC-friendly alternative that could ease cost and operational concerns and prove persuasive.
With pilot deployments planned for 2026 and early airline interest emerging, the Immfly-OneWeb-Gogo platform could offer a new entry point for the many budget carriers that are still largely undecided about onboard broadband adoption.
Beyond passenger WiFi, the solution can enable ancillary revenue opportunities, real-time operations data, and enhanced digital engagement, potentially reshaping connectivity expectations in the LCC/ULCC market. As LEO constellations grow and antenna technologies are refined, the business case for broadband across all airline types is also evolving.
Featured Image: danr13 | stock.adobe.com
