Gogo's 5G Takes Flight, Redefining Business Jet Connectivity

NEW YORK, NY – December 29, 2025 – After a journey marked by both ambitious engineering and significant hurdles, Gogo Business Aviation has officially completed flight testing for its next-generation 5G air-to-ground (ATG) network. The company announced that the service, the first of its kind for business aviation, is on track for its commercial launch in January 2026, setting the stage for a new era of in-flight connectivity and intensifying the competition for dominance in the skies over North America.

The successful conclusion of over 30 hours of flight tests across nearly two dozen routes validates Gogo's long-held promise of delivering an office-in-the-sky experience. For an industry where connectivity has often been a compromise, this launch represents a pivotal moment, potentially shifting the expectations of private jet owners, corporate flight departments, and high-value passengers.

A New Benchmark for Airborne Speed

At the core of Gogo's announcement are performance metrics that aim to make sluggish in-flight internet a relic of the past. During extensive trials, the 5G network consistently demonstrated broadband speeds exceeding 80 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. These figures are a quantum leap from older ATG technologies and are competitive with many ground-based internet services, finally enabling the seamless use of high-bandwidth applications that have become essential for modern business.

This level of performance means passengers can engage in uninterrupted video conferencing, stream high-definition content, and manage large file transfers simultaneously—activities that were previously challenging or impossible on many business jets. The network's low latency, a key feature of 5G technology, further enhances the user experience, making real-time communication and cloud-based collaboration feel as responsive as they would in a terrestrial office.

The service will initially cover the contiguous United States and southern parts of Canada, powered by a network of over 150 ground sites, including nine recently established in Canada to bolster cross-border coverage. This land-based infrastructure is a key differentiator, designed to provide robust and consistent service for the continent's busiest flight corridors. While service typically activates above 10,000 feet, the reliability of the ground-tower connection is central to Gogo's value proposition.

High-Stakes Battle in a Crowded Sky

Gogo's 5G network enters a fiercely competitive market. The launch is a direct strategic response to the rapid rise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers, most notably SpaceX's Starlink Business Aviation, which has made significant inroads with its promise of global, high-speed connectivity. Competitors also include established satellite players like Viasat and Inmarsat, which offer extensive global coverage and are continuously upgrading their own networks.

Starlink reports download speeds ranging from 40 Mbps to over 220 Mbps, while Viasat offers plans promising up to 100 Mbps. Gogo's strategy is not to compete on peak speed alone but on the quality and reliability of its service within its specific operational theater. The company emphasizes that its 5G network is an enterprise-grade system exclusively dedicated to business aviation. Unlike some satellite services that may share bandwidth with commercial airlines or residential users, Gogo's network is engineered to prevent congestion, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even over busy metropolitan areas or during major events.

Pricing reflects this premium positioning. Gogo's 5G service plans are expected to range from approximately $3,500 per month for a 25 GB data package to $8,000 per month for unlimited data. This structure is competitive with Starlink's plans, which start around $2,000 and can reach $10,000 for unlimited service, and Viasat's regional and global plans, which span from roughly $2,800 to $14,000 per month.

Furthermore, Gogo is not putting all its eggs in one basket. The 5G ATG system is part of a broader, hybrid strategy. For operators requiring global reach, Gogo offers its Galileo system, which utilizes LEO satellite technology to provide connectivity outside the North American ATG footprint. The premier 5G unlimited plan even includes a 50 GB allowance of Gogo Galileo satcom data, positioning the company as a comprehensive, multi-layered connectivity provider.

A Long Road to Launch

The journey to this launch was not without significant challenges. Gogo's CEO, Chris Moore, has openly acknowledged the delays that pushed the service's debut from its initial targets. The most critical setback occurred in 2022, when a key supplier, identified as Samsung, discovered a manufacturing error in the custom 5G chip essential for the system's operation. This single issue forced a significant revision of the project timeline, pushing the delivery of the crucial component to mid-2023 and delaying the entire program.

This chip-related hurdle was compounded by broader macroeconomic and logistical headwinds, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain disruptions, and adverse weather conditions that hampered the physical rollout of ground infrastructure. The story of Gogo's 5G development is a case study in the complexities of pioneering new technology in the highly regulated and demanding aviation sector, highlighting the resilience required to navigate unforeseen obstacles in hardware manufacturing and deployment.

Despite these delays, the company's long-standing reputation for customer support—ranking first in industry satisfaction surveys for nine of the last eleven years—has likely helped maintain customer confidence. The successful completion of the rigorous flight-testing phase is now being presented as the ultimate validation of the network's readiness and reliability.

The Logistics of a Fleet-Wide Upgrade

With the technology now proven, Gogo's focus shifts to market adoption and the logistics of a fleet-wide rollout. The company appears well-prepared, having already onboarded its first paying customer and pre-provisioned 450 aircraft to be "lit up" when the service goes live in January. This proactive approach ensures a substantial user base from day one.

To streamline installation across the diverse business jet market, Gogo has secured 33 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) covering most major aircraft types operating in the United States. These certifications are critical regulatory approvals that unlock an addressable market of over 7,500 aircraft. As of late 2025, nearly all of these STCs are complete, removing a major barrier to adoption for fleet operators.

For aircraft owners, the upgrade path varies. New installations will be centered around the Gogo AVANCE LX5, a consolidated Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) that serves as the system's brain, paired with two compact MB13 antennas. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the hardware is $141,500, excluding installation, which is estimated to take about two weeks at a certified MRO center. For the hundreds of customers who already invested in Gogo's AVANCE L5 system with "5G provisions," the upgrade is significantly simpler and faster, often involving just a swap of the core processing unit. This forward-thinking hardware strategy is now set to pay dividends by accelerating the transition to the new network. The company has also secured line-fit commitments with five major aircraft manufacturers, ensuring that new jets can roll off the production line with 5G connectivity already installed.

As January 2026 approaches, the business aviation industry watches with keen interest. Gogo's 5G launch is more than just a new product release; it is a bold strategic move to defend its home turf and redefine the standards of airborne productivity in an increasingly connected world. The true test will begin when hundreds of aircraft take to the skies, relying on the new network to power their operations and keep their passengers seamlessly connected to the world below.